'Small-market' Jaguars shift narrative with win over Broncos - ESPN

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Two weeks ago, after beating Indianapolis to take over first place in the AFC South, the Jacksonville Jaguars talked about not getting the credit or respect they believed they deserved — and they didn't expect that would change.

On Sunday, after beating the AFC top seed Denver Broncos 34-20 at Empower Field at Mile High, they said they don't want any of it. And they don't want anyone jumping on the bandwagon, either.

«Everybody in this locker room on the Jaguars team, even upstairs, we know everybody's probably going to try to hop on this bandwagon now, but we don't want anybody,» defensive end Travon Walker said on the Jaguars' postgame show. «They can stay where they're at. It's us. It's all about the Jags.

»F--- everybody but us. Excuse my language, dad, grandmamma, but f--- everybody but us."

The Jaguars (11-4), who can clinch a playoff spot if San Francisco beats Indianapolis on Monday night, are feasting on the perceived lack of respect. Not getting talked about enough — or being dismissed — as one of the AFC's better teams, comments from analysts posted throughout the facility, social media clips shared among players… the Jaguars are using it all as fuel.

Even a seemingly innocuous comment from Broncos coach Sean Payton.

Payton referenced the fact that the Jaguars are a small-market team during a news conference last week, saying: «As you look at them and you watch the tape, it's a smaller market but you see a real good team.»

It seemed an odd thing to say, but nothing inflammatory. Except Jaguars coach Liam Coen apparently didn't like it, because ESPN's Lindsey Thiry reported after the game that Coen made sure the team knew about it. Which explained his opening comments at his postgame news