Colts and Jaguars hope their season finale provides meaningful answers heading into the offseason

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars opened this season with playoff hopes.

Both had creative coaches, young quarterbacks, manageable schedules and what they anticipated were promising futures.

On Sunday, the AFC South rivals will finish their seasons looking to find a meaningful message that can apply to their offseason calculations.

“We’ve got a job to do no matter what the circumstances are,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said. "We’ve got to put our best foot forward and try and win a football game. Meetings, practice – you’re still playing for something, right? We’ve all got jobs to do and we’ve got to go out and perform.”

The Colts (7-9) and Jaguars (4-12) have largely underperformed this season, and nobody is sure what's next.

Indy remains hopeful quarterback Anthony Richardson returns from severe back spasms after missing last week's playoff-eliminating loss. He watched last year's season finale from the sideline after having season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder.

Jacksonville, meanwhile, again will go with Mac Jones at quarterback since its starter, Trevor Lawrence, remains on injured reserve after having season-ending surgery on his non-throwing shoulder.

It's a different story for the team's decision makers.

Coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke have been rumored to be on their way out of Jacksonville for weeks now and many believe Sunday's game will be the final chapter — even if it's not the most pressing issue this week.

“Obviously, you’re trying to win the game, bottom line,” Pederson said. “The key is to make sure that everybody stays locked in and focused on the task at hand, right? I mean that’s the most important thing. I don’t necessarily use it as developmental for anybody.”

There have been similar murmurs in Indy regarding Steichen and longtime GM Chris Ballard after the franchise's playoff drought officially reached four seasons last week.

Most, however, expect the Colts to move on from defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, the Jaguars' former head coach who has been under fire all season.

“I think I would worry about it if I wasn’t embarrassed,” Bradley said, referring to the loss to the New York Giants. “I’m still upset and frustrated and we’ve got to get this right. My mindset is that we have one more game and it’s not for a playoff opportunity, but it does give us a chance to get this right and at least set the tone for what it needs to look like.”

And, of course, that means one more win that isn't so meaningless.

“It’s a big thing to do in the NFL — if you can stack some good practices and games and carry that momentum wherever it may go,” said Jones, who could become a free agent in March. “You definitely want to put your best foot forward."

Jacksonville's Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker are closing in on sack records. But Hines-Allen will have to wait until 2025 to get his.

Hines-Allen didn't make the trip because of a personal matter. He needs 2½ sacks to break the franchise's career mark of 55 held by Tony Brackens.

Walker, meanwhile, needs a half-sack to become the second player in team history to notch double-digit sacks in consecutive seasons, joining Calais Campbell.

“I think because of where we are as a team, it’s overshadowed,” Pederson said. “But that’s another bright spot with this team. ... There’s definitely more for them to get, and I think that’s the exciting part as you look ahead to the future.”

Despite the poor overall season, three Colts were selected to this year's Pro Bowl.

Left guard Quenton Nelson was chosen for the seventh straight year — every season of his pro career — and running back Jonathan Taylor is returning for the first time since he won the 2021 NFL rushing title. Taylor has 450 yards rushing and five TD runs over the past three weeks and ranks seventh among the league's rushers this season with 1,254 yards.

Linebacker Zaire Franklin is a first-time Pro Bowl selection. He leads the league in tackles (165) and has finished among the league's top tacklers each of previous two seasons.

Brian Thomas Jr. needs 135 yards receiving to pass Michael Clayton, Odell Beckham Jr. and Randy Moss to reach fifth among NFL rookie receivers in the Super Bowl era.

Maybe the most interesting part of the top 10: Five played at LSU. The five former Tigers are Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Beckham, Thomas and Malik Nabers.

“For a while, it was Alabama,” Pederson said. “Alabama was sending receivers to the NFL, and then now, it seems like LSU. It’s good company, and the year that (Thomas’) had, to be mentioned with those guys that came before him and are still playing at a high level, it just says something for that entire group.”

AP Pro Football Writer Mark Long in Jacksonville also contributed to this report.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (0) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) runs the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) is brought down by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jaylon Jones (40) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) scores his second touchdown of the game against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson yells to his players during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (10) misses a pass in the end zone in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., left, and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones, right, celebrate a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) makes a touchdown catch against the New York Giants in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Cody Ceci scored with 25 seconds left in the third period, and the San Jose Sharks beat the New Jersey Devils 3-2 on Saturday.

With the game tied 2-2, Ceci’s slap shot from the point beat Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom.

Yaroslav Askarov stopped 28 shots for San Jose, and Markstrom made 21 saves for New Jersey.

Macklin Celebrini gave the Sharks a 2-1 lead with a hard wrist shot on his first shift of the third period, but Paul Cotter answered for the Devils.

Nikolai Kovalenko scored his first goal with the Sharks late in the first period after joining the team in a trade last month. Nico Hischier, on his 26th birthday, tied the game in the second on the power play by deflecting the puck in off a pass by Jack Hughes.

Devils: The Devils lost their four straight on a six-game road trip, and have yet to find a rhythm coming off the holiday break.

Sharks: The Sharks won against a second consecutive playoff team after beating the Lightning on Thursday to snap an eight-game losing streak. Askarov, coming off a perfect third period on Thursday, looked solid in his second straight start as the Sharks are giving their goaltender of the future more experience.

With the puck in the Devils’ zone in the final seconds of the third, Jonas Siegenthaler fell in the corner. The Sharks’ Alexander Wennberg retrieved the puck and passed it up high to Ceci, whose slap shot trickled off Markstrom’s glove and in.

Celebrini’s 13th goal of the season put him in first amongst rookies. He entered the game tied with the Flyers’ Matvei Michkov.

The Devils visit the Kraken on Monday, while the Sharks host the Golden Knights on Tuesday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes, right, skates toward the against San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini during the third period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt, middle, skates with the puck against San Jose Sharks right wing Barclay Goodrow (23) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) skates with the puck against New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Jose Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, second from left, celebrates with defenseman Cody Ceci (4), defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) and center Mikael Granlund after an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Jose Sharks defenseman Cody Ceci, left, reacts after scoring a goal next to New Jersey Devils left wing Erik Haula (56) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) cannot stop a goal scored by San Jose Sharks defenseman Cody Ceci during the third period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Jose Sharks defenseman Cody Ceci, left, is congratulated by center Alexander Wennberg (21) after scoring against the New Jersey Devils during the third period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)