The 2002 season was the Jacksonville Jaguars' 8th in the National Football League and their eighth and final under head coach Tom Coughlin. The team matched their 2001 record of 6âÂÂ10 and finished 3rd place in the AFC South, missing the playoffs for the third season in a row. This was Mark Brunell's final full season as the Jaguars' starting quarterback. Tom Coughlin was fired after this season and replaced by Jack Del Rio the following season.
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
The Colts and Jaguars faced off for the first time as divisional rivals in their season opener on September 8 in Jacksonville. The Colts initiated the scoring with a touchdown in the first quarter, the Jaguars tied the scores in the second quarter with an 8âÂÂyard touchdown pass from Mark Brunell to tight end Pete Mitchell. In the final minutes of the second quarter, Mark Brunell was intercepted by Colts linebacker Marcus Washington who returned the ball 40 yards for a touchdown. The Jaguars missed a 52âÂÂyard field goal attempt, resulting in a halftime score of 14âÂÂ7 in favor of the Colts. In the third quarter, a fumble by Colts running back Edgerrin James led to a Jaguars field goal, followed by another fumble from Colts tight end Marcus Pollard that led to a Jaguars touchdown, giving them the lead. After the Jaguars forced a Colts threeâÂÂandâÂÂout, return specialist Damon Gibson mishandled the catch, allowing Colts defender Clifton Crosby to recover the ball at Jacksonville's 19âÂÂyard line, the Colts capitalized on this opportunity, scoring a touchdown to regain the lead. Gibson was released after the game eventually signing with the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3, Bobby Shaw would take his place the remainder of the year. In the fourth quarter, the Colts added another touchdown to widen their advantage. The Jaguars mounted a lengthy drive, scoring a touchdown and converting a twoâÂÂpoint attempt to narrow the Colts' lead to just three points with a little over four minutes remaining. On the ensuing drive The Colts managed to hold the ball for three minutes and forced the Jaguars to use all three of their time-outs, leaving them with the ball and about a minute remaining. The Jaguars advanced to the Colts' 46âÂÂyard line but ultimately ran out of time, resulting in a 28âÂÂ25 victory for the Colts.
The Colts began the game sluggishly, but a fumble by the Jaguars at their 23âÂÂyard line enabled the Colts to score a quick touchdown, leveling the score by halftime. In the third quarter, as the Colts advanced into Jacksonville territory, James fumbled the ball, allowing the Jaguars to convert it into a field goal and take a 13âÂÂ10 lead heading into the fourth quarter. On the subsequent drive, the Jaguars appeared to force a threeâÂÂandâÂÂout, but a penalty for running into the kicker granted the Colts a fresh set of downs. Capitalizing on this opportunity, the Colts tied the game with a field goal. After forcing another threeâÂÂandâÂÂout, a strong punt return positioned the Colts at Jacksonville's 47âÂÂyard line. Manning then connected with Pollard for an 11âÂÂyard touchdown, putting the Colts ahead. In the closing moments, the Colts' defense held firm, securing a 20âÂÂ13 victory over the Jaguars.