Jacksonville Jaguars’ Win Over Cardinals Improves Playoff Odds

In the tightly contested race for AFC playoff spots, every win carries weight—but the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 31-24 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15 felt like a turning point. Entering the game with a 7-6 record and clinging to the seventh and final AFC wild-card spot, the Jaguars knew a loss would drop them out of the playoff picture, while a win would solidify their position and create breathing room over chasing teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills. What unfolded at TIAA Bank Field was a balanced team effort: Trevor Lawrence led a mistake-free offense, the defense made critical stops in the fourth quarter, and special teams contributed a key field goal to seal the win. Jacksonville Jaguars’ Win Over Cardinals Improves Playoff Odds isn’t just about a single victory; it’s about how this win reshaped the Jaguars’ postseason outlook, pushing their playoff chances from 52% (per ESPN’s Football Power Index) to 78% and positioning them to control their own destiny in the final two weeks of the season. For Jaguars fans, the win was a sigh of relief—and a reason to believe this team could end its two-year playoff drought.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Win Over Cardinals Improves Playoff Odds first became clear in the game’s final 10 minutes, when the Jaguars’ defense stepped up to protect a one-score lead. Trailing 31-24, the Cardinals drove to the Jaguars’ 12-yard line with 2:15 left, looking to tie the game. On first-and-10, defensive end Josh Allen sacked Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray for a 6-yard loss, pushing Arizona back to the 18-yard line. On second-and-16, safety Andre Cisco broke up a pass intended for Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown in the end zone. On third-and-16, Murray attempted a deep pass to Brown, but cornerback James Bradberry intercepted it at the Jaguars’ 2-yard line, ending the Cardinals’ final chance. This sequence wasn’t just a defensive stop—it was a statement. The Jaguars, who had struggled to close out games earlier in the season (losing three games by three points or fewer), had finally found the composure to win in crunch time. “That stop showed how far we’ve come,” Allen said after the game. “Earlier in the year, we might have let them score. But tonight, we stuck to our assignments, communicated, and made the plays we needed to make. That’s what playoff teams do.”

Offensively, Jacksonville Jaguars’ Win Over Cardinals Improves Playoff Odds was fueled by Trevor Lawrence’s efficient performance and the running game’s consistency. Lawrence completed 22 of 28 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions—his fourth game this season with zero turnovers. He connected with wide receiver Christian Kirk for a 35-yard touchdown in the second quarter, and he found tight end Evan Engram for a 10-yard score in the third quarter to give the Jaguars a 28-17 lead. The running game, led by Travis Etienne Jr., also played a crucial role: Etienne rushed for 98 yards on 21 carries (4.7 yards per carry) and scored a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter. What made the offense so effective was its balance—they ran the ball on 48% of their plays, keeping the Cardinals’ defense off-balance and controlling the clock (they held possession for 34:18, nearly 10 minutes more than Arizona). “We didn’t try to do anything fancy,” Lawrence explained. “We just executed our plays, took what the defense gave us, and avoided mistakes. When we play like that, we’re a tough team to beat.” This balanced attack not only won the game—it also gave the Jaguars a blueprint for success in their final two games, both against divisional rivals (the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans).

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Win Over Cardinals Improves Playoff Odds also had a ripple effect on the AFC playoff race, creating separation between the Jaguars and their wild-card competitors. Before Week 15, the Jaguars were tied with the Steelers (7-6) for the seventh wild-card spot, with the Bills (6-7) and Cincinnati Bengals (6-7) just one game back. After the Jaguars’ win—and the Steelers’ loss to the Indianapolis Colts and the Bills’ loss to the Los Angeles Chargers—the Jaguars moved into sole possession of the seventh spot, with a two-game lead over the Bills and Bengals. The win also kept the Jaguars in contention for the AFC South title: they trail the Colts (8-5) by one game, and they face the Colts in Week 17 in a game that could decide the division. “This win didn’t just help our wild-card chances—it kept our division hopes alive,” Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said. “We still have a path to win the AFC South, and even if we don’t, we’re in a great position to make the playoffs as a wild card. That’s all you can ask for this time of year.” For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the win was a reminder that every game matters—and that one victory can change the entire trajectory of a season.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Win Over Cardinals Improves Playoff Odds further underscored the Jacksonville Jaguars’ growth as a team, particularly in areas where they had struggled earlier in the season. One of the biggest improvements has been in turnover margin: after finishing with a -5 turnover margin in their first seven games, the Jaguars have a +7 turnover margin in their last six games (including zero turnovers against the Cardinals). This shift has been driven by Lawrence’s improved decision-making (he’s thrown just two interceptions in his last six starts) and the defense’s ability to create takeaways (they’ve recorded 12 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries in that span). Another key improvement has been in red-zone efficiency: the Jaguars scored touchdowns on 3 of their 4 red-zone trips against the Cardinals, pushing their red-zone touchdown rate to 68% over the last six games (up from 52% in the first seven). “We’ve fixed the little things that were costing us games earlier in the season,” Pederson said. “We’re taking care of the ball, scoring in the red zone, and making stops when we need to. Those are the ingredients for a playoff team.” For the Jacksonville Jaguars, these improvements aren’t just statistical—they’re signs of a team that’s maturing and learning how to win when it counts.

The final takeaway from Jacksonville Jaguars’ Win Over Cardinals Improves Playoff Odds is that the Jaguars now control their own playoff destiny. If they win their final two games (against the Texans and Colts), they’ll either win the AFC South or secure a wild-card spot. Even if they split those two games, their 8-8 record would likely be enough to earn a wild-card spot, given their current lead over the Bills and Bengals. The win over the Cardinals also gave the Jaguars momentum heading into the final stretch—a critical advantage in the NFL, where confidence can be just as important as talent. “We’re playing our best football at the right time,” Lawrence said. “We’re healthy, we’re executing, and we believe in each other. That’s a dangerous combination this time of year.” For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the win over the Cardinals was more than just a step toward the playoffs—it was a validation of their hard work all season. After struggling through injuries and inconsistency earlier in the year, they’ve emerged as a team that can compete with anyone in the AFC. As the regular season winds down, all eyes will be on the Jaguars to see if they can finish strong and end their playoff drought. If they do, the win over the Cardinals will be remembered as the game that put them over the top.