Jaguars star Josh Hines-Allen comments on the Titans’ win

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen was talking in the locker room after Sunday’s 20-13 win over the Tennessee Titans, and we were there.

To watch his interview, watch above.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson spoke after the game. Below is a transcript.

Q: What does he think about the game and how he can beat the Titans this season?

Pederson: “I found a way to win. Proud of the boys. I’m so happy for her. Coaching staff, the way these guys stick together, they stick together, there’s no giving up. They keep fighting. I always tell them: you never know when the piece will come your way. If so, just do it. There you saw it at the end. (S) Antonio Johnson made the play and you win the game. So, a lot of good performances in this game. The defense managed a takeaway; The offense was effective and good in the red zone today. Just a good team win.”

Q: Was the win particularly emotional?

Pederson: “The course of our season is definitely emotional. Obviously we’ve talked about it a lot, just the disappointment and the expectation that she’s not where she is or should be. But any time you have a chance to win a game, especially against a good football team and a division opponent, it’s always great. Locker room is excited. Probably a little relief too, just to get another win. It’s part of what we talk about every day. We want to finish this properly.”

Q: Should WR Brian Thomas Jr. tie former WR Randy Moss’ rookie NFL record of eight games with 60-plus receiving yards and a touchdown?

Pederson: “Yeah, you said Randy Moss, I was on the sideline in Green Bay when Randy had a big day against us in Minnesota. I remember his rookie season. Randy Moss is a true receiver and Brian continues to impress every week. I can’t say enough good things about Brian and I’m just happy for him. But I just want to show you with him, and speaking of Brian, the way he works, the way he carries himself is very impressive for a little kid. Very impressed with Brian.”

Q: How does QB Mac Jones play down the stretch?

Pederson: “I thought Mac obviously played one of his better games today. I thought he did a great job of just putting the ball in play and taking what the defense gave him. There were some really good attacks at the start of the game that kept us on the pitch. Helped us with our third down conversion rate today. The touchdown pass to Brian Thomas and just doing the things we ask him to do. Great performance from Mac and he’s one of a lot of guys who were really involved in this win, but he played really well today.”

Q: What value can Thomas Jr. add as a runner?

Pederson: “Well, it adds a lot. It’s a moment of surprise for the defense. A couple times today on different things, giving him the football in space and the guys just did a great job blocking for him too. Any time you have Brian Thomas on the ball and in your hands, it’s pretty electrifying. He does some great things with it. So I just want to continue to expand that role for him. But at the same time, be smart and if it helps the offense, we’ll do it.”

Q: How important is it to play clean football?

Pederson: “Yeah, it’s been a minute since we actually did it in all three phases. Right down to the two-minute situations today, both at the end of the half and at the end of the game, there are different scenarios that we talk about and our players did a great job there. Like I said, the defense was great. Had takeaway. Attack scored. And then the turnover on downs at the end. Just a complete football game. I’m just excited for all these guys.”

Q: Should you hire coaches at this point in the season?

Pederson: “For me it’s more about having a few one-off conversations. I don’t bring them together and say, “Hey, guys, this is what’s needed – we’re adults and we understand.” We see what’s written and what’s said. Listen, obviously we put ourselves in this situation – I’m the leader of this ship or captain of this ship, and obviously we put ourselves in this situation. I only have one-off conversations and I try to also encourage them and make it clear to them that we have a lot to play and a lot to train and you do your best and you give everything you have in the week. When you get rewarded like we did today, it just makes it even sweeter.”

Q: Is it any consolation that the team remained committed despite narrow defeats in the final weeks of the season?

Pederson. “Thank you very much. Thank you for reminding me. But it’s obvious. You’re right. The thing is: the guys don’t wave the white flag. I think even if you talk to them in the locker room, it is That’s not the case – they try hard during the week and do everything I ask of them, coaches and players. Look, whatever happens at the end of the season, we still have a game to go .We still had two games left to play today us. So that we can finish this the way we want, whatever happens, we want to finish this the right way. We won today and that’s a big step. Now we’re going to next over. Put together another game plan, go practice and try again on the way. Then whatever happens, just proud of how the coaches and players just stuck together and stuck together. The fact that we were rewarded today speaks for that.”

Q: Any chance of finishing 4-2 in the division?

Pederson: “Yeah, I mean, that would be something to be very proud of in the midst of a disappointing season. A 4-2 finish would be great. I just want to show you and our team that those close games, the plays that we made today, were the ones that we didn’t make in those close games. If things go differently, maybe we’ll win a few more of these games and it’ll be a different story. You know, I just think it’s a good message to the team when you finish like that and strong that I think you can still have control of your division, right? If you do this next week. Of course you have to win the game. But it just shows that you can somehow control it. You control your own destiny, year after year. It would be good news for the boys if we succeed.”

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