NFL Week 14 Wrap-Up: Jaguars Make Their Move, Dolphins Stay Hot, Bucs Stumble
Week 14 in the NFL brought some serious clarity to the playoff picture-especially in the AFC South and AFC East. The Jaguars made a loud statement, the Dolphins kept their foot on the gas, and the Buccaneers saw their division lead slip through their fingers. Let’s break it all down.
Jacksonville Jaguars 36, Indianapolis Colts 19
Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars didn’t just beat the Colts-they took control of the AFC South with authority.
Lawrence tossed two touchdown passes and looked every bit the franchise quarterback Jacksonville has been banking on. He was poised, efficient, and in full command of the offense.
But it wasn’t just Lawrence. Travis Etienne added the ground punch, rushing for two touchdowns and giving the Jags the kind of balance that makes them tough to defend.
This win marks Jacksonville’s fourth straight and their fifth in the last six games. That’s not just a hot streak-it’s a team finding its identity at the right time. The defense held its own, limiting explosive plays and forcing the Colts to play from behind most of the afternoon.
If the Jaguars keep this up, they’re not just playoff-bound-they’re a team nobody will want to face in January.
Miami Dolphins 34, New York Jets 10
The Dolphins are rolling-and they’re doing it with depth.
Miami’s offense looked sharp again in a 34-10 win over the Jets, and it wasn’t just the usual suspects. Rookie running back De’Von Achane ripped off 92 yards and a touchdown before exiting in the second quarter with a rib injury.
That could’ve been a setback. Instead, Jaylen Wright stepped in and delivered a career-high 107 yards and a score of his own.
That’s the kind of next-man-up mentality that separates playoff teams from the rest.
The Dolphins’ defense also deserves credit. They kept the Jets out of rhythm all game, applying pressure and forcing quick throws. It was a complete performance-one that keeps Miami firmly in the postseason picture and trending upward.
New Orleans Saints 24, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20
This one stings for the Bucs.
Tampa Bay had a chance to strengthen its grip on the NFC South but instead fell 24-20 to the Saints in a tightly contested divisional matchup. With the loss, the Buccaneers are now tied at 7-6 with the Carolina Panthers, adding even more drama to the final stretch of the season.
The offense had its moments, but inconsistency and missed opportunities proved costly. Defensively, the Bucs couldn’t come up with the key stops when it mattered most, allowing the Saints to control the tempo late in the game.
With just a few weeks left, Tampa Bay’s margin for error is razor-thin. Every game from here on out feels like a must-win.
The Takeaway
This weekend showed us a few things: Jacksonville is surging at the right time, Miami’s depth is a real asset, and the NFC South is going to be a dogfight to the finish. With playoff spots on the line, the next few weeks are shaping up to be must-watch football.