Jacksonville Jaguars beat Indianapolis Colts

JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer brief thoughts on the Jaguars’ 37-34 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in a Week 5, 2024 game at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville on Sunday

John Oehser, Jaguars senior writer…

1. T-Law was handy – and efficient. Credit Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence: Not only did he have a big game on Sunday after a tough week with all the outside noise that came with it, he also played exactly the type of game he needed to play. After missing several big passes in a four-point loss to the Houston Texans last week, Lawrence had an efficient game on Sunday and also made two big – and crucial – plays. “He ran the offense and read the field well,” Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said. “There were some big throws in there.” One was an 85-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. in the first half and the other was a 61-yard pass to wide receiver Christian Kirk setting up a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brenton Strange in the fourth quarter. This came before Lawrence went three-for-three for 34 yards while the Jaguars made a game-winning 49-yard field goal with 17 minutes left. Lawrence showed the patience and precision needed to execute the game plan Sunday against a Gus Bradley/Indianapolis Colts defense that forces offenses to be patient and make big plays when they are available. Lawrence’s stats — 28 of 34 for 371 yards and two touchdowns — were impressive on Sunday. What was most impressive was how he played in difficult circumstances when he and the team needed it. “Honestly, I just kind of holed up and didn’t really listen,” Lawrence said. “This stuff doesn’t matter. You don’t want to let that stuff creep in. It’s about the people in the building and the work we put in.”
2. The youth served. This Jaguars win was big for countless reasons. One of them was that they really needed it after an 0-4 start. And it gives them confidence to travel to London. But it’s also important that they’ve gotten great performances from their young, developing players. Defensively, Travon Walker posted a career-best performance with three sacks, including one that led to a first-half field goal and another that secured the win on the final play of the game. Thomas continued to look like an up-and-coming top player. Tank Bigsby continued his rapid development into a reliable big-play running back with 101 yards and two touchdowns. Strange had a key first-down converting reception late in the game in addition to his touchdown. These are four young, drafted players who are having the kind of great, exciting games that this team hasn’t done enough of this season. There were many good signs on Sunday. This could be the best thing for the future of this franchise.