The Jaguars (1-4) debuted their Prowler throwback uniforms, inducted inaugural head coach Tom Coughlin into their team Hall of Fame, and most importantly won their first game of the 2024 season on Sunday, besting their AFC South rival Colts (2-3) at home, 37-34.
Tom Coughlin’s full induction into the Pride of the #Jaguars. Touching moment in Jacksonville. pic.twitter.com/CGdjkqoLMd
— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) October 6, 2024
Indianapolis did not make it easy for Jacksonville in what was either the highest or tied for the highest-scoring affair of the season for both teams.
Filling in for injured Colts starting quarterback Anthony Richardson, 17th-year pro Joe Flacco put together one of the best showings of his career, going 33-of-44 passing for 359 yards with three touchdowns. He carved up the Jaguars’ defense at will despite the lack of a complementary rushing attack as Indianapolis was also without starting running back Jonathan Taylor.
This was especially true after Jacksonville took a 34-20 lead with just over five minutes left in regulation. Flacco and Indianapolis’ offense responded with two sub-one-minute touchdown drives, combining for 147 yards over five plays, highlighted by wide receiver Alec Pierce’s 65-yard, score-tying reception at the 2:40 mark.
But Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars’ offense was even better, catalyzing Jacksonville to snap its four-game losing skid to begin the year and Lawrence’s own nine-game losing streak dating back to last season.
Lawrence had his best performance of the season, going 28-of-34 passing for 371 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. His first score was an 85-yard connection with rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., on what was the fastest run by a ball carrier in the NFL this season, reaching 22.15 miles per hour.
Brian Thomas Jr. recorded a top speed of 22.15 MPH on this TD play.
The fastest ball carrier of the 2024 NFL season, according to @NextGenStats. pic.twitter.com/4ShU6WhUEc
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) October 6, 2024
Second-year Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby supplemented Lawrence with a career-best game, rushing 13 times for 101 yards and two touchdowns and adding one reception for 28 yards.
Jacksonville got the ball back at its 30 with 2:40 remaining after Pierce’s score and managed to drive 39 yards in seven plays, setting rookie kicker Cam Little up for a 49-yard, potential game-winning field goal attempt.
Little nailed the kick, and the clock expired three plays later after Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker recorded his third sack on Flacco of the contest.
The Jaguars will travel across the pond this week for back-to-back games in London, England, set to face the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Week 6 and the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium in Week 7.
