One of the biggest throws made by Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the team’s 25-20 win against the Buffalo Bills apparently wasn’t supposed to be a pass at all.
According to Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley, the team was set to run the ball on a third-and-4 late in the fourth quarter. But when Lawrence saw Ridley lined up one-on-one against Bills safety Micah Hyde, he changed the call at the line and lofted a ball down the right sideline for a 32-yard gain.
Buy Jaguars Tickets“They went [cover] zero, they put a safety on me,” Ridley told reporters after the game. “Honestly, I think we were running it, I think. But Trevor checked it, he seen the safety on me, he gave me a good check, and we made a big play.”
CONFIRMED DOT ✅
📺: #JAXvsBUF on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/LxW25sxPWA pic.twitter.com/2gNB6xGLXV— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2023
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence on seeing the Bills going cover zero and lining up S Micah Hyde on WR Calvin Ridley on third-and-4: "That's like a great matchup, dream matchup for us, so I was excited, and we just took the shot." Went for 32 yards and set up Travis Etienne's TD run.
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) October 8, 2023
The massive third down conversion came shortly after the Bills cut the Jaguars’ lead from 11 points to five. If Jacksonville was forced to punt, Buffalo was going to have a few minutes to drive the field for a potential go-ahead touchdown.
Instead, the Jaguars moved the sticks and extended their lead two plays later with a 35-yard rushing touchdown for Travis Etienne Jr.
Ridley finished the game with seven receptions for a game-leading 122 yards.
