How far can dominant defense carry Jaguars?

Jarrett Bell | USA TODAY

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Over the course of 10 years in the NFL trenches, you can best believe that Calais Campbell has witnessed his share of weird twists and wild finishes.

But the case at Everbank Field on Sunday, when the Jacksonville Jaguars seemingly had nine lives as they put away the Los Angeles Chargers 20-17 in overtime, was truly something special.

“I’ve been a part of some crazy games, but I can’t recall one any crazier,” Campbell, the defensive end who joined the Jaguars this year as a free agent, told USA TODAY Sports. “Especially getting the W.

“I remember last year,” he added, referring to his time in Arizona, “we tied Seattle and that was pretty crazy, too. I mean, two missed field goals in overtime? But this was up there. Just the emotional roller coaster, and to make the plays when it counted. It’s a testament to how good we are.”

Or something like that.

The Jaguars (6-3), trailing the Tennessee Titans for first place in the AFC South by a tiebreaker, might have the NFL’s best defense. That was evident in crunch time, when an Austin Ekeler fumble forced by Malik Jackson late in the fourth quarter provided new life. So much for the Chargers, leading by three, running out the final 2 minutes.

“Malik made a great hit,” said cornerback A.J. Bouye. “I heard it way back there.”

Tashaun Gipson would have returned it for a 35-yard touchdown, except for an instant replay review that determined the safety was down by contact in making the recovery.

In any event, a tone was set. Then underscored.

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Four plays later, Blake Bortles was intercepted on an ugly throw over the middle.

Game over? Usually. The Jags forced a three-and-out, used their timeouts, got the football back and then received a gift from Joey Bosa – a personal foul when he threw Bortles to the turf after an incompletion – to move the football 15 yards closer for Josh Lambo’s game-tying, 34-yard field goal to set up overtime.

The Jaguars got to OT in spite of an offense that got an inconsistent outing from Bortles and a minimal-impact from rookie running back Leonard Fournette (a season-low 33 yards on 17 carries).

Yet Jacksonville has put together a remarkable defense, building through a cache of high draft picks and choice veteran free agents, such as Campbell, Jackson and Bouye. And they proved again just how special of a unit it is.

Bouye made the defining play in overtime, when he intercepted Philip Rivers’ deep sideline heave and returned it 51 yards to the 1-yard line, setting up Lambo’s game-winning, 30-yard kick.

“I should’ve scored,” Bouye told USA TODAY Sports. “I cramped up at the 20.”

No matter. After winning the overtime coin toss, taking the ball and punting, it is just like the Jaguars – who entered the week tied for third in the NFL with 16 takeaways and ranked third for fewest yards allowed – to bring it home with a splash play by the defense.

Still, the Jaguars’ predicament was reaffirmed on Sunday, given the blunders by the offense. To be a legit contender, they are going to need to develop more consistency on offense.

Jalen Ramsey, the talented young cornerback, scoffs at any concern.

"Defense wins championships,” Ramsey said, repeating the mantra.

Maybe so. But balance is better.

“Why are we talking about it now?” Bouye said. “Why didn’t we say anything when Blake threw for 300-something yards? The year the Broncos won the Super Bowl, Peyton Manning led the league in interceptions. We just want another down to play. There’s going to be some games when the offense bails us out and some games when we bail them out.”

There seems to be a one-team theme flowing through the Jaguars, preached by coach Doug Marrone.

“Teams the past couple of years would have crumbled,” receiver Marquis Lee contended.

This one held it together, thanks to the timely punch from the defense.

Tom Coughlin, like Campbell, has seen a lot of crazy during his years in the NFL. The Super Bowl-winning coach came back to Jacksonville to run the football operations.

It’s a different experience for Coughlin, a coaching lifer, to not push the buttons on game day. Yet the emotional twists remain.

As he headed into the locker room late Sunday, Coughlin shook his head.

“As I was coming down on the elevator,” Coughlin told USA TODAY Sports, “I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.”