The Jaguars are headed to the AFC Championship Game following their 45-42 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday.
The Jaguars battled for 60 minutes. While there were a few setbacks, the Jaguars never trailed the Steelers during the divisional-round matchup.
Below are 8 observations from Jaguars' win over the Steelers:
1. The running game set the tone
Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette offered up the most impressive performance of his rookie campaign Sunday. He carried the ball 25 times for 109 yards and three touchdowns, despite missing seven minutes of action in the second quarter due to an ankle injury.
Fournette didn't just pick up one or two yards at a time. He turned his usual sluggish buildup into a steady stream of yardage against the Steelers. His first two touchdowns helped the Jaguars build a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
While Fournette was the key to the game for the Jaguars, fellow running back T.J. Yeldon offered up a strong performance, as well. With Chris Ivory benched as a healthy scratch, Yeldon picked up 77 total yards and a touchdown against the Steelers.
Yeldon kept key drives alive and ran the ball with purpose. While he has produced bigger yardage marks in the past, this may have been Yeldon's most impressive performance because of the magnitude of his touches.
2. Bortles manages the offense, extends drives
Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles did exactly what he was supposed to do against the Steelers. He complimented the running game with sharp decision-making and timely throws. He also picked up key yardage with his legs.
Bortles completed 14-of-26 passes for 214 passing yards and a touchdown against Pittsburgh. The numbers aren't impressive but Bortles' performance was exactly what the Jaguars needed.
He led six scoring drives, making the right reads and putting the ball (for the most part) where it needed to be. Bortles set up his receivers to make plays after the catch. Tight ends Ben Koyack and James O'Shaughnessy and wide receiver Marqise Lee all made plays after catching passes.
Bortles also didn't turn the ball over. The Jaguars are 10-0 this season when Bortles doesn't throw an interception.
3. The 2-0 turnover battle made the difference
The Jaguars forced two turnovers against the Steelers.
Linebacker Myles Jack intercepted Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the first quarter. The turnover set up the Jaguars' second touchdown score of the game. While the Jaguars' first drive of the game set the tone, Jack's interception sent the message that the Jaguars came to dominate.
In the second quarter, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue produced a sack-strip on Roethlisberger, which led to a 50-yard fumble recovery return for a touchdown.
The Jaguars won by three points. They scored 14 points off turnovers.
4. Lambo's consistency still a key for the Jaguars
Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo made 19-of-20 field goal attempts during the regular season. Through two playoff games, Lambo is 2-of-2 on field goals and 7-of-7 on extra points.
Every point counts in the postseason and his consistency has allowed the Jaguars to keep their momentum after scoring drives.
5. The Jaguars running defense shows up
The Jaguars held Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell to just 67 rushing yards and a touchdown.
While a 21-0 lead typically kills the use of the running game for the trailing team, Bell still received 16 carries. Granted, Bell scored an eight-yard "rushing" touchdown on a lateral from Roethlisberger.
The Jaguars had several key run stops, including a fourth-and-1 carry by Bell. It was a promising showing for that area of the defense.
6. Antonio Brown is the best wide receiver in the world
Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown made some of the most impressive catches you'll ever see on a football field against the Jaguars. Brown caught two touchdown passes while being brutalized by the physical coverage of Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye. Both scores were the first two touchdowns allowed by Bouye all season.
There is simply no one like Brown in the NFL. He's special.
7. Wide receivers come through after being silenced against the Bills
The Jaguars wide receivers combined for five catches for 48 yards against the Buffalo Bills during the wild-card round. On Sunday, the group combined for six receptions for 93 yards.
The wide receivers made some key plays on third down to keep drives alive. Cole's 45-yard reception was crucial in building the Jaguars' lead late in the game.
8. Gipson's injury could be a problem
At this point, we don't know the extent of free safety Tashaun Gipson's foot injury. Second-year safety Jarrod Wilson played the majority of the second half in his absence. Wilson got away with a potential pass interference penalty late in the game.
Wilson only played 52 snaps on defense during the regular season.
If Gipson can't play next week, Wilson may get picked on by fellow Michigan alum, Tom Brady.
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.