Jaguars win AFC South
Linebacker Josh Allen recovered a fumble by quarterback Joshua Dobbs and returned it 37 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 2:51 left, and the Jaguars clinched their first playoff berth since 2017 by defeating the visiting Titans 20-16 on Saturday to win the AFC South.
Trevor Lawrence passed for 212 yards and a touchdown for the Jaguars (9-8), who overcame an early 10-point deficit to win for the seventh time in their last nine games. They will be the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs and will host a wild-card game next weekend.
Dobbs passed for 179 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but his fumble while being sacked by safety Rayshawn Jenkins doomed the Titans (7-10), who lost their last seven games after a 7-3 start amid a slew of injuries, including one to starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill (surgery on right ankle).
Dobbs was making only his second start for the Titans since they signed him off the Lions’ practice squad Dec. 21.
Mahomes sets record; Chiefs No. 1 in AFC
Patrick Mahomes set the NFL record for the most combined passing and rushing yards in a season, and the Chiefs (14-3) rolled past the host Raiders (6-11) to lock up the No. 1 seed and earn a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs.
Mahomes passed for 202 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 29 against the Raiders, giving him 5,608 total yards for the season. That surpassed the previous record of 5,562 set by Drew Brees with the Saints in 2011.
The Chiefs, however, aren’t assured of home-field advantage throughout the postseason. Because the Bills-Bengals game Monday was canceled in the wake of the cardiac arrest suffered by Bills safety Damar Hamlin, the Chiefs would have to play the AFC Championship Game on a neutral field if the Bills beat the Patriots on Sunday and both teams reach the title game.
This and that
Doctors described Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s neurological function as ‘‘excellent’’ as he continued making progress in his recovery after suffering cardiac arrest and having to be resuscitated on the field in a game Monday against the Bengals. Still, he remained in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
◆ ESPN reported Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has a ‘‘strong chance’’ of playing in the team’s wild-card game next weekend. Jackson has been sidelined for more than a month with a sprained left knee suffered against the Broncos in Week 13.
◆ Multiple outlets reported the Broncos requested and received permission from the Saints to interview former coach Sean Payton for their head-coaching position, but the NFL ruled that any in-person interview with Payton can’t be conducted until at least Jan. 17.
◆ ESPN reported Sean McVay’s immediate future as the Rams’ head coach is in limbo. Sources told the network they think McVay will take some time after the regularseason finale Sunday against the Seahawks to determine whether he will return in 2023.