Jaguars Take Step Toward Playoffs, 20-13

The Jacksonville Jaguars keep finding new ways to win. If they keep this up, they might find themselves in an unlikely position--the playoffs.

The defense stopped Seattle cold four times at the goal line, and Jimmy Smith turned a near interception into the go-ahead touchdown as the Jaguars continued their improbable run toward the playoffs Sunday night with a 20-13 victory.

“We’re making it happen,” said Robert Massey, who made the first of the four big plays at the goal line. “We realize what it takes.”

The other second-year expansion team, Carolina, already has become the first second-year team to reach the playoffs. The Jaguars can join the Panthers with a victory next Sunday at home against Atlanta, and a loss by Indianapolis or Kansas City or two losses by Buffalo.

If Buffalo loses Monday night at Miami, the Jaguars would only have to defeat Atlanta because Kansas City plays at Buffalo, provided the Bills and Chiefs don’t tie.

“Four weeks ago I wasn’t aware of it,” Mark Brunell said. “This week, I’d be lying if I said I’m not looking around and seeing what’s going on.”

Six week ago, the Jaguars (8-7) were all but left for dead after a 28-21 loss at Cincinnati. They have won five of six since then, and they got their fourth in a row Sunday night.

Seattle’s Chris Warren and Lamar Smith took advantage of sloppy tackling throughout the game, and Joey Galloway’s 51-yard reverse to the 17 late in the third quarter put the Seahawks into position to take a commanding lead.

But the Jaguars, trailing 10-7, came up with their best defensive stand of the season.

It started with Massey, who stopped tight end Carlester Crumpler from crossing the goal line on a nine-yard pass. Then the line stopped Warren once and Smith twice from the one-yard line.

Right guard Derrick Graham was called for illegal procedure on fourth down, and the Seahawks (6-9) had to settle for Todd Peterson’s 27-yard field goal and a 13-7 lead.

“It was huge,” Jaguar Coach Tom Coughlin said.