Linebacker Josh Allen of the Jacksonville Jaguars is the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for games played in NFL Week 18.
Allen recorded six tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and the game-winning 37-yard fumble-return for a touchdown with 2:51 remaining in the Jaguars’ 20-16 win over Tennessee. Jacksonville completed the “worst-to-first” turnaround and clinched the AFC South division title for the first time since 2017.
The win also marked the Jaguars first season sweep of the Titans since 2005.
This is Allen’s second career Defensive Player of the Week award, having previously won the award in Week 9 of the 2021 season. He is the second Jaguars player to earn Defensive Player of the Week this season, joining safety Rayshawn Jenkins (Week 15).
Allen is the sixth former Kentucky Wildcat to earn multiple Defensive Player of the Week awards. The Jaguars host the LA Chargers on Saturday night.
Jaguars HC Doug Pederson won nine games this season, the second-most in franchise history by any coach in their first season with the team. Pederson has posted a winning record in four of his six
seasons as head coach.
seasons as head coach.
The victory marked the second time the Jaguars have won the AFC South with their first division title coming in 2017. The Jaguars joined the AFC South in 2002 and previously won the AFC Central two times.
Jacksonville recorded a 4-2 record against the AFC South in 2022, marking the third time since joining
the AFC South that Jacksonville has posted a winning record within the division.
the AFC South that Jacksonville has posted a winning record within the division.
(SportsDay Photo by Nancy DeLander Beecher/Florida Sports Wire)
