National Football League

Jaguars rally from 21-0 deficit, beat Giants 25-24

Published Dec. 1, 2014 3:20 a.m. ET

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) The New York Giants have clinched another losing season.

It could cost coach Tom Coughlin his job.

The Jacksonville Jaguars turned two second-half fumbles into touchdowns and capped the biggest comeback in franchise history with Josh Scobee's 43-yard field goal in the final minute on Sunday. The 25-24 victory ended Jacksonville's four-game losing streak and extended New York's skid to seven games.

The Giants (3-9) are now guaranteed their second losing season in as many years. And getting beat by one of the NFL's worst teams - not to mention blowing a 21-0 lead in the game - surely won't help Coughlin's chances of sticking around for a 12th season.

''I know they are going to get it right,'' Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul said. ''This is a great organization and they will make right moves to complete this team. My main concern is to keep fighting and finish strong. It's never over.''

This game appeared over at halftime.

The Giants dominated the early going, scoring 21 points in the second quarter and looking as though they would notch their first victory since early October.

But New York and Jacksonville played like different teams after the break. The Giants managed just 75 yards in the second half and fumbled three times, the first two leading directly to touchdowns.

Josh Brown's 33-yard field goal put the Giants back in front 24-22 with 3:26 to play. But Jaguars rookie Blake Bortles completed four passes and gained 11 and 20 yards on identical keepers, setting up Scobee's winner.

''We have to find a way to finish games and get wins,'' Giants linebacker Devon Kennard said. ''It's not like we don't have a talented group and not hungry for a win. There are close games coming down to the last drive, and we are just not finishing. We have to find a way to finish games and get wins.''

The Giants had one final chance to win, but Manning fumbled on first down.

It was New York's fourth late-game collapse in as many weeks. Losing to Seattle, San Francisco and Dallas seems more acceptable, especially compared to Sunday's flop in Jacksonville.

''It's a loss that we feel we should have won,'' Coughlin said. ''We've done this too many times. We just helped somebody beat us. Instead of forcing them to beat us, we helped them. ... I'm upset with everything. And I'm upset with me. I start with me.''

Here are some things to know about the game:

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GETTING DEFENSIVE: The Jaguars scored two defensive touchdowns in a game for the first time in franchise history. Linebacker Geno Hayes forced Eli Manning to fumble in the third quarter, and teammate J.T. Thomas recovered in the end zone to cut the lead to 21-10. The Jaguars forced another turnover in the fourth when rookie cornerback Aaron Colvin returned Larry Donnell's fumble 41 yards for a score and a 22-21 lead.

JENNINGS HURT: Giants running back Rashad Jennings was THE story in the first half. He ran for 65 yards and two touchdowns in his return to Jacksonville, helping stake New York to a 21-0 lead. But Jennings wound up on the losing end and spent the fourth quarter on the sideline with an ankle injury. ''It's frustrating, and I don't know an English word to explain the way we feel,'' he said.

LEE'S BEST: Jaguars receiver Marqise Lee had the best game of his rookie season. The second-round draft pick from USC caught six passes for 75 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown in the third quarter. It was a welcomed performance for the Jaguars, who will play the rest of the season without leading receiver Allen Robinson (foot).

INJURY BUG: Playing without starting defensive linemen Cullen Jenkins and Mathias Kiwanuka and starting right tackle Justin Pugh, the Giants lost some of their backups Sunday. Defensive end Robert Ayers (pectoral), linebacker Terrell Manning (ankle) and offensive tackles Geoff Schwartz (ankle) and James Brewer (concussion) left the game. Coughlin said Schwartz has tendon damage.

ALUMNI WEEKEND: Mark Brunell, Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell were among nearly 50 former Jaguars in attendance for ''Alumni Weekend.'' The third annual event was even more special because former Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin was around for the reunion. For Smith, it was his first trip back to the stadium since at least 2009. The franchise's career leading receiver spent time in jail and under house arrest for drug charges in Mississippi. ''The minute that you think you've got it whipped, that's when you're going to be whipped,'' Smith said. ''I just take it day by day, one at a time, and keep a good, spiritual relationship.''

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

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