As the final seconds ticked off the clock on Sunday afternoon at EverBank Field, rookie wide receiver Keelan Cole started approaching the Jaguars’ veteran players on the sideline.

He gave high-fives, hugs and a few handshakes after the Jaguars’ dominating 45-7 victory over the Houston Texans that clinched their first playoff berth since 2007.

"I went to every vet that had been here two-plus years because that’s who it’s for,’’ said Cole, an undrafted free agent from Kentucky Wesleyan and an unknown during training camp before earning a roster spot.

"They’ve been through a lot and I’m just glad that I could come in and do whatever I needed to do help them get that. The coaches, everybody that’s part of this organization deserves it.’’

In front of a sellout crowd of 64,701 that chanted "playoffs", Cole made sure to do his part, especially after veteran Marqise Lee was forced out of the game on the Jaguars’ second possession when he turned his right ankle after getting cut on a low block.

Until Sunday, Cole had not caught more than three passes in a game or a 100-yard receiving day.

Against the Texans, he already had locked up a career-best performance by halftime after hauling in six catches for 113 yards, which included a 9-yard touchdown reception 10 seconds before halftime.

He didn’t stop there.

On the Jaguars’ opening drive of the third quarter, Cole easily got separation on a crossing route, hauled in a Blake Bortles pass and then cut upfield. After a 73-yard gain, he was caught from behind by linebacker Benardrick McKinney one yard short of the end zone.

Two plays later fullback Tommy Bohanon scored on a 1-yard run for a 38-7 lead.

"I have expectations for myself and getting caught from behind on the 1-yard line is definitely not one of them," Cole said laughing. "I’m doing what I am supposed to be doing. They picked me up for a reason and they have faith in me. They call my number and I just had to make plays."

Cole finished the game with seven catches (he was targeted nine times) for 186 yards, an average of 26.6 yards a catch. Bortles put up big numbers, too - 326 yards passing, three touchdowns, no interceptions - despite being called "trash" by Texans pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney after the game.

"He’s a great quarterback in my eyes," Cole said. "He does everything he needs to and more. He is trying to progress every day and it’s good. I am trying to progress with him so that is just what is happening."

And when the Jaguars got into the red zone, Bortles took advantage of another target. Before Sunday, Jaydon Mickens had made his biggest impact as a punt returner. In seven games, he had only one catch for 11 yards.

But Mickens was team’s top red-zone scoring threat on Sunday. He scored twice in the second quarter on touchdown catches of 5 and 14 yards.

On Mickens’ 5-yard catch that extended the Jaguars’ lead to 14-0, he broke a tackle to reach the end zone.

"Of course, that’s satisfying," said Mickens, who was the Jaguars’ second-leading receiver with four catches for 61 yards.

"That’s why I practice. I don’t just do punt returns at practice, I have to do everything. It was something that a lot of people knew I could do, but it just came out today. Unfortunately, Marqise had to go down, but we’re going to get him back healthy and ready to go for this run."