The Jaguars’ defense appeared lost yet again on Sunday, allowing rookie quarterback Drake Maye and the Patriots’ offense to score 10 points over two drives, 23 plays and 131 yards to begin Week 7 at Wembley Stadium.
That is, it looked lost until it didn’t.
After those two possessions, Jacksonville limited New England to 164 yards for the rest of the game, 94 of which were produced on one fourth-quarter drive while the Jaguars held a 15-point lead. The Patriots scored on that series but not again.
Albeit not perfect, it was unlike any performance the unit has had this season, a critical breakthrough that helped Jacksonville capture its second victory of the year, 32-16.
But it was not only forcing the Patriots to punt four times in a row that allowed the Jaguars to achieve the win.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence put together another efficient performance by completing 75% of his 20 throws for 193 yards and one touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
One of the best passes of Trevor Lawrence’s career, IMO. And a hell of a catch by Brian Thomas Jr. pic.twitter.com/dNsnb7kwFe
— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) October 20, 2024
Thomas also made a diving, 58-yard catch on a beautifully placed ball from Lawrence on the ensuing drive, which set up the first of running back Tank Bigsby’s two rushing touchdowns on the day four plays later.
Bigsby made the first start of his career Sunday, in place of the injured Travis Etienne Jr. He rushed 26 times for a single-game career-high 118 yards and the scores.
But perhaps the biggest highlight for Jacksonville was wide receiver Parker Washington’s 97-yard punt return touchdown, the longest punt return in Jaguars history.
It gave the Jaguars a two-possession lead just under the two-minute mark in the first half that they did not relinquish for the rest of the matchup.
Jacksonville finishes its two-week trip to London 1-1 after losing to the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last week, bringing the club’s all-time international record to 7-6.
The Jaguars return to the United States next week and will host the Green Bay Packers in Jacksonville on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
