The Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in franchise history Sunday, erasing a 17-0 deficit to beat the Las Vegas Raiders at home, 27-20.
It was a reversal of fortune for a team that has previously raced out to early leads before blowing games late. “Learning to win” games has been a consistent theme for the Jaguars, a team with six losses this season that have all come by one score.
Sunday looked like it may have been a turning point for the Jaguars, as the team shook off a slow start and dominated the second half with nearly perfect play from second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
While a missed field goal with three minutes left reeked of the same old story for the Jaguars, the team’s defense managed to shake off the bad juju and get big stops late.
Jaguars MVP of the game: QB Trevor Lawrence
After leading the Jaguars into field goal range late in the second quarter, Lawrence spiked to stop the clock. That was nearly his last incompletion of the day, as Lawrence finished the second half with 15 completions on 16 attempts, leading the team on back-to-back touchdown drives on the first two possessions of the second half.
Lawrence finished with 235 passing yards, one touchdown, and (most importantly) no interceptions against the Raiders.
Travis Etienne, who finished with 109 rushing yards and two touchdowns, put in another stellar performance too.
Raiders MVP of the game: WR Davante Adams
By halftime, the Raiders’ star receiver had nine receptions, 146 yards, and two touchdowns. While he was held to just one reception in the second half for zero yards, Adams was the most significant reason Las Vegas had such a huge lead early.
Jaguars play of the game: Trevor Lawrence’s 13-yard pass to Marvin Jones in the fourth quarter.
What a throw by Lawrence. pic.twitter.com/SBmN1OPbgL
— Laurie Fitzpatrick (@LaurieFitzptrck) November 6, 2022
What could’ve — and frankly, should’ve — been a disaster for the Jaguars turned into a first down. While the team still ended up punting, Lawrence kept the Raiders from recording a safety, a defensive touchdown, or getting fantastic field position.
It was a moment that could’ve been a momentum shift, but Lawrence denied it with some fantastic footwork.
It was over when Dawuane Smoot got his second sack of the day, snuffing out the Raiders’ last gasp effort at a game-tying touchdown drive by leaving them with a fourth-and-17 to convert.
Sack pic.twitter.com/3IqqJbVodc
— Laurie Fitzpatrick (@LaurieFitzptrck) November 6, 2022
Stat that says it all: Davante Adams had one reception for zero yards in the second half.
Adams looked absolutely unstoppable in the first half, but somehow the Jaguars figured out a way to stop the bleeding. Completely. There was a little luck on the Jaguars’ side, as Derek Carr missed Adams on a couple throws, but Adams wasn’t running wide open anymore and the Raiders offense couldn’t do much as a consequence.
Up next: The 3-6 Jaguars have a tough road game against the Kansas City Chiefs. After a Week 8 bye, the 5-2 Chiefs are set to play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday Night Football.