Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars Trolled by NFL Fans for Missing Playoffs in Loss vs. Titans

Earlier in the season, simply making the playoffs looked like a foregone conclusion for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville was 8-3, coming off of a Divisional Round appearance in the previous season and looking like the team to beat in the AFC South.

A four game losing skid dimmed that glow but a Week 17 victory gave the Jaguars a win-and-in situation in Week 18 against the 5-11 Tennessee Titans. Unfortunately for Jacksonville, it just wasn't meant to be.

The loss dropped Jacksonville's record to 9-8 on the season and allows the Houston Texans to leapfrog them for the AFC South Division Title. More importantly, it drops Jacksonville below both the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers and officially eliminates the franchise from the postseason.

This is the fifth time in the past six seasons that Jacksonville has failed to qualify for the postseason and the 14th time in the last 16 seasons that the franchise will not be heading to the postseason.

The current regime does not necessarily reflect that history, however, as this group has a elite talent at quarterback in Trevor Lawrence and a Super Bowl-winning head coach in Doug Pederson. Expectations reflected this, especially after last seasons success, and questions will certainly arise about the late season collapse.

Fans on social media criticized Lawrence and the Jaguars for choking the season away and wasting an opportunity to establish itself as a contender in the AFC.

While Jacksonville failed to qualify for the postseason, it did finish above .500 for the second consecutive season. The last time this happened in consecutive seasons for the franchise was 2004 and 2005.

It's certainly not panic mode for the franchise but the derailed season does still cause for concern. Lawrence had a weaker season than he had last season, tossing 14 interceptions on the season.

The sole AFC South representative in this year's postseason will be the Texans, although three teams in the division will finish above .500.