Pride is on the line for Jags during their final four games

JACKSONVILLE — The Jaguars have been eliminated from the AFC South title and are hanging onto the barest of mathematical threads for a wild-card berth — which would require winning four games a row combined with an epic collapse by multiple teams.

So what’s left? Where will the motivation come for the Jags (4-8), beginning on Sunday when they play the Los Angeles Chargers (4-8) at TIAA Bank Field (4:05 p.m., WOFL-35)?

It starts with one of the most basic human emotions: personal pride.

“I’m playing to beat the crap out of the guy across from me,” said Gardner Minshew II, who returns as the starting quarterback on Sunday after relieving Nick Foles at halftime of last week’s 28-11 loss to Tampa Bay. “And that doesn’t matter whether it’s in practice or games. I don’t need any extra incentive to go out and compete.”

Offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor cited another core emotion that will inspire him for the rest of the season.

“I’m going to play because I love the game,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what the record is. I always have the will to win and go out and get better every

That’s my motivation.”

Jaguar players who were interviewed after Wednesday’s practice also have the belief that their teammates feel the same way.

“I don’t think anybody would be here if they were a quitter,” said defensive tackle Taven Bryan.

Minshew said his motivation is shared throughout the locker room.

“I think we have a lot of guys who think like that,” he said.

On the surface, the team’s recent fourgame losing streak, in which they have lost all four games by at least 17 points (with an average margin of 20.5 points), might indicate a lack of fight; or last week’s franchise record of 16 penalties for a regulation game might indicate a lack of focus.

Coach Doug Marrone doesn’t think that’s the case.

“The players have been fighting, focused, practicing well,” he said. “We just have to figure out how to win games and get a good taste back in your mouth. It’s such a bad taste when things are going the way they are right now.”

Some players are still trying to prove to team management that they deserve bigger contracts, such as defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, who has six sacks and three forced fumbles this season. single week.