Jack Del Rio portrayed himself Monday as a coach who is getting the most out of a rebuilding Jaguars team.
In the wake of a storm of criticism after the Jaguars lost 20-17 in overtime Sunday to the Washington Redskins, Del Rio said, "There's no question in my mind I think anybody that has studied football understands we are absolutely squeezing the very most out of this football team."
He added, "We've been able to do that despite being right in the middle of a rebuild. What we've got to do is not allow any negative energy take away from the positive things we've been able to do. I think that is imperative for us."
Still, the Jaguars, who were 8-5 and in control of their playoff destiny a week ago, have fallen to 8-7 after losing two games in a row.
Their only way to make the playoffs now is if they beat Houston in their season finale and Indianapolis loses to Tennessee.
Del Rio remained upbeat.
"I think our players and our coaches have been all extremely committed. There's no question in my mind that this group of men have been a lot of fun to coach. I really respect and appreciate the effort that has been given. There's no question we are an achieving football team. We have been the last couple of years," he said.
The Jaguars started rebuilding a year ago under new general manager Gene Smith, but the patience of the fans has worn thin because Del Rio, in his eighth season, has coached the team to just one playoff victory.
There has been speculation that Del Rio's job could be in danger if the Jaguars lose to Houston because they would fall to 8-8 and end the season on a losing streak after being in control of their playoff destiny for the third time in five years.
They were 8-5 in 2006 and lost their last three and 7-5 last season and lost their last four. Now, the Jaguars have lost two in a row after being 8-5.
The focus Monday was not to look back but to put all the emphasis on beating Houston to finish with a winning record, regardless of whether Indianapolis clinches the division title by beating Tennessee on Sunday.
Veteran cornerback Rashean Mathis called a players'-only team meeting Monday to stress the importance of ending the season on a winning note.
Del Rio said, "We have created a very good culture in our locker room. We want to finish strong as a group of men that started this thing very committed and are finishing very committed. We just want to play good football here this last week, this last opportunity of the regular season, and see where that takes us."
The Jaguars have a 19-18 mark in December under Del Rio.
When he was asked why, he said, "You've got to go back and talk about each ballgame. There's probably another day for that."
Del Rio also declined to discuss his job security.
When he was asked if he feels less secure than he did a week ago, Del Rio said, "I really approach things very consistently, but I thank you for checking in on it."
When he was asked if he thinks he has to win Sunday to save his job, he said, "I don't concern myself with that type of discussion. For me, it's about focusing on the job at hand and finding a way to go down and win in Houston and continue to pour everything I have into helping this team be at its very best."
Del Rio did discuss in detail what happened in overtime when the Jaguars lost to Washington.
It started with the kickoff that swirled in the wind and bounced, with the Jaguars winding up on the 11-yard line.
Del Rio said that Deji Karim needed to run up and field the ball in the air.
"We can't let that ball hit the ground," Del Rio said. "That was a little bit of a killer.
"On second down, we had a chance to make the guy miss in the flat, and he gets Rashad [Jennings] down, and it's third-and-4, a manageable distance. We want to convert it. We can't take a sack, and we can't take a pick."
Quarterback David Garrard threw the interception that set up Washington's game-winning field goal, but he didn't get much help on the play.
"We probably could have done a better job of executing the route, and we didn't handle the call that could have been made at the line to pick up the little stunt and then him [not] throwing a better ball. It all comes together," Del Rio said. "The protection could have been better. The route could have been better. The throw could have been better."
The Jaguars will now go to Houston seeking a victory in their season finale to avoid having three non-winning seasons in a row.
