JACKSONVILLE – They’re in, and that’s the first step.
Anthony Campanile said that’s absolutely true for the playoff-bound Jaguars, and the first-year defensive coordinator said that truth was reflected when the team officially qualified for the 2025 postseason.
The moment was cool, then the preparation continued.
“It was, ‘Just keep working,'” Campanile said with a laugh.
The Jaguars (11-4), winners of six consecutive games and seven of the last eight, clinched the ninth postseason appearance in franchise history when the Indianapolis Colts lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 48-27, Monday.
“We have a lot of work to do and we’ve got our hands full this week, so there’s not a lot of time for celebration right now,” Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski said Tuesday. “When the time’s appropriate, I’m sure we’ll sure we’ll celebrate, but right now we’re focused on preparation.
“Not a lot of celebration going on, but definitely a lot of work to do.”
Udinski, Campanile and the rest of the Jaguars’ coaching staff were at the Miller Electric Center Monday night preparing for Sunday’s game against the Colts (8-7) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The Jaguars can clinch a third AFC South title in nine seasons with a victory Sunday if the second-place Texans (10-5) lose to the Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) in Los Angeles Saturday.
“Everybody was kind of working on the next game but had the TVs going in their office,” Campanile said. “Everybody had the TV up with the current game rolling. I think everybody was kind of on the same plan.
“I’m glad that happened, but we’re so focused on this current game it didn’t affect what I was doing at the time. We’ve been trying to grind it and get this thing right and get prepared for this next game but definitely fired up about the opportunity to go ahead and continue playing.”