05 December 2023 , 15:56
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The Jacksonville Jaguars risk losing their grip over the race to the NFL playoffs in the AFC South, with Trevor Lawrence's fresh injury boosting the spirits of the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans, with both teams 7-5 in 2023.
The Jaguars were defeated 34-31 in overtime following Lawrence's injury in the fourth quarter of Monday night's football game. Lawrence's injury has initially been diagnosed as a sprained ankle, but the quarterback will undergo an MRI scan on Tuesday to get a full scope of the injury.
The hope is that Lawrence is not out for too long, with Jacksonville now 8-4 at the top of the AFC South. However, should Lawrence be ruled out for a couple of weeks, the rest of the regular season, and potentially the playoffs too, the team will be relying on backup CJ Beathard, with the division extremely tight.
Beathard was unable to perform when stepping in for Lawrence. The 30-year-old was unable to make good us of the extra time as the Jaguars were forced to punt after a 26-yard drive was stopped. The Bengals then hit the game-winning field goal by Evan McPherson in overtime, as they also looked to get over the loss of their franchise QB, Joe Burrow.
The Colts, in particular, are on a four-game win streak and are 7-5, while the Texans are being led by impressive rookie QB CJ Stroud, and the team boasts an identical record to Indianapolis.
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As Lawrence dropped back to the grass after trying to walk off the injury, there was a collective gasp, followed by silence, at TIAA Bank Field. “It sucks for Trevor,” said Beathard. "It takes the breath away from the guys on the sideline to see him hurting.”
Jags coach Doug Pederson is keen to keep spirits high, though, regardless of Lawrence's MRI result. Pederson says he, and the team, have faith in their backup. “We’ve got 100-percent confidence in C.J. going forward,” Pederson said. “I don’t think we have to change up a whole lot.”
The AFC South playoff race has tightened in recent weeks (Getty)The Jaguars have five games remaining in the 2023 regular season. The next two, in particular, against the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens, will be tough. Jacksonville will then close out the campaign against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, followed by the Carolina Panthers, and then the Tennessee Titans.
In a boost to Jacksonville, the Colts and Texans will play each other in their final game of the season on Jan. 7, where there can only be one winner.
Indianapolis' playoff push is being driven by Gardner Minshew, who started the season behind rookie QB, Anthony Richardson.