OT Thriller: Jaguars Win in Arizona despite 4 Turnover Day by Lawrence

The Jacksonville Jaguars left the deserts of Arizona with a wild 27-24 win over the 3-8 Arizona Cardinals added to their record. A tough day at the office by quarterback Trevor Lawrence was saved by his

clutch performance when it mattered most. The Jacksonville defense swarmed Cardinal’s quarterback in Jacoby Brissett, with 6 sacks on the day. With the win, Jacksonville moves up to the sixth seed in the AFC playoff standings. Here’s everything you need to know from Jacksonville’s Week 12 overtime road victory.

Live blog:

Catch up on all the big plays and best moments from tonight’s game in our live blog!

Pregame Notes:

The following Arizona players did not play in this one: WR Marvin Harrison Jr (appendix surgery), RB Emari Demercado (ankle), RB Trey Benson (meniscus), RT Jonah Williams (shoulder), and multiple others. Across the Cardinals’ roster, 15 players were listed on IR including QB Kyler Murray and Benson.

For Jacksonville, RT Anton Harrison (knee/ankle), WR Brian Thomas Jr (ankle), TE Hunter Long (hip/knee), DE Travon Walker (knee), and LB Yasir Abdullah (finger) were all inactive due to injuries throughout the week. Additionally WR/CB Travis Hunter, S Eric Murray, and S Caleb Ransaw are all on injured reserve, while TE Brenton Strange made his return from IR after a six week absence due to a hip injury.

Notably, the following Jacksonville players left Sunday’s game due to injury:

• LT Walker Little (knee) – returned to the game
• OL Chuma Edoga (calf)
• DL Danny Striggow (knee)

1st Quarter

Jacksonville kicked the matchup off on defense, missing DE Travon Walker. Nevertheless, the pressure on the quarterback remained, as Dennis Gardeck brought the Cardinals’ opening drive to a close with a Brissett sack on third-and-six.

The Jaguars offense proceeded to quickly drive 97-yards on just four plays in their opening drive. Brenton Strange immediately announced his presence, bringing in a 30-yard reception on Lawrence’s first pass, Travis Etienne then burst through the line for an explosive 45-yard run on the next snap, which he then followed up with a touchdown catch. (Jaguars 7, Cardinals 0)

Jacksonville’s defense again gave Brissett trouble on the next series, with the only Cardinals glimpses of life occuring when blitzing. The defense regularly produced when rushing only four, as Davon Hamilton secured a the sack on this drive to force third down, where Jacksonville eventually forced the punt on the following play. The celebration was short-lived, however, as the Jacksonville offense instead surrendered points just three plays later, as Brenton Strange chipped the blitzing Jalen Thompson, who Lawrence did not see. (Jaguars 7, Cardinals 7)

2nd Quarter

On the following drive, Lawrence pulled his own number, on consecutive third downs, rushing for 19 and 9-yard conversions. Yet, the Cardinals’ Nick Rallis defense continued to give the Jacksonville offense trouble identifying the blitz, with Lawrence being sacked on back to back drives – this one via Budda Baker on third down. Cam Little completed the 52-yard field goal to retake the lead. (Jaguars 10, Cardinals 7)

The Cardinals’ offense then put together their best drive of the day to take their first lead of the game. The Arizona offense seemed to began to find their grove in the quick passing game, a season-long struggle for the Jacksonville defense. The 9 play, 65-yard, 5:24 drive was helped courtesy of a 5-yard (automatic first down) Greg Newsome Illegal Contact penalty and a Devin Lloyd Roughing the Passer call. Arizona wrapped up the scoring drive with a Bam Knight one-yard touchdown rush to take the lead. (Jaguars 10, Cardinals 14)

The Jacksonville offense went three-and-out on the next drive, continuing to have no answer for the Cardinals’ third down pressure packages. While Lawrence wasn’t sacked on the down, barely getting rid of the pass, the damage was done with the drive ended. As a note, LT Walker Little left the game with a knee injury on the drive, with rookie Wyatt Milum entering the matchup in his absence.

After seemingly stopping the Cardinals on third down, forcing a fourth-and-one at the Arizona 34, Jonathan Gannon decided to line up to attempt to pick up the conversion or try to force Jacksonville to jump offsides. Jacksonville obliged, as Maason Smith jumped into the neutral zone to grant them the free first down. However, the Jaguars were bailed out, as the Cardinals’ Kicker Chad Ryland missed the 33-yard chip shot field goal. Arizona then took the four point lead into the half, after a Tim Patrick reception was reviewed and determined to be incomplete, followed by a third Lawrence sack as the halftime clock expired.

Halftime Stats:

• Score: Jaguars 10, Cardinals 14
• First downs: Jaguars 5, Cardinals 17
• Time of possession: Jaguars 9:28, Cardinals 20:32
• Sacks: Jaguars 2 for 15-yards, Cardinals 3 for 18-yards
• Turnovers forced: Jaguars 0, Cardinals 1
• Rushing yards: Jaguars 86, Cardinals 34
• Yards per rush: Jaguars 8.6, Cardinals 2.8
• Passing yards: Jaguars 33, Cardinals 146
• Passing yards per attempt: Jaguars 3.0, Cardinals 5.4
• Redzone: Jaguars 1/1 (100%), Cardinals 1/2 (50%)
• Penalties: Jaguars 4 for 30-yards, Cardinals 4 for 28-yards
• Points off turnovers: Jaguars 0, Cardinals 7

At the half, Trevor Lawrence was 3/8 for 51-yards, one touchdown, one fumble for an Arizona touchdown, and 3 carries for 26-yards (8.7 YPC). Brissett was 20/25 for 161-yards, no touchdowns or turnovers at the half.

3rd Quarter

Jacksonville’s game to forget continued after the half, after an explosive Bhayshul Tuten 39-yard return set the offense up to quickly drive into the Arizona redzone, before disaster stroke via the former ‘Mayor of Jacksonville”, Calais Campbell.

With Meyers immediately beating the coverage off the line, what looked to be a sure touchdown turned into an endzone turnover. The defense stood strong forcing a three-and-out to give the ball back to the offense following an explosive 43-yard Parker Washington punt return. Meyers and Lawrence refused to be denied on this drive, as Lawrence hit Jakobi in the endzone, while under pressure. Jacksonville regained the lead with 8:10 remaining in the third. (Jaguars 17, Cardinals 14)

After giving up an early, contested Trey McBride first down (Montaric Brown in coverage) the defensive pressure ensured as Dennis Gardecks’ revenge game continued as he picked up his second sack of the matchup (1.5 sacks). For the second time in this matchup the Jaguars’ offense then gave the ball to the opposing team following what seemed to be a tide-turning defensive series, with a Trevor Lawrence turnover as his pass intended for Meyers was intercepted by Cardinals LB Akeem Davis-Gaither at the Jacksonville 39-yard line – Lawrence’s third turnover of the game.

However, the defense again bailed the offense out, this time via a Devin Lloyd first down sack which temporarily injured Brissett, followed by a five yard loss on a tight end rush on the following snap, with an eventual three-and-out punt.

4th Quarter

Following punts by both teams, the Jacksonville offense then began their first fourth quarter series in the shadow of their own endzone, from their own one-yard line. After riding the legs of Travis Etienne and Bhayshul Tuten to get out of the redzone, Trevor Lawrence surrendered his fourth turnover of the game with a lead, this one a Budda Baker diving interception.

Following the turnover, the defensive dam finally broke, with the Cardinals scoring on a 39-yard Greg Dortch reception just three plays later, finding space in the middle of the defense. (Jaguars 17, Cardinals 21)

With the pressure on, Lawrence put on his cape, putting together a perfect four for four passing on a 6-play, 65-yard, 3:25 touchdown drive – capped by a Parker Washington touchdown to retake the lead. (Jaguars 24, Cardinals 21)

With the game on the line, the Jacksonville defense again came up big with an Antonio Johnson second down sack and an offensive pass interference setting up an eventual fourth and long. The last down last gasp fell incomplete. However, Jacksonville was unable to convert a first down, opting to pass on a short field goal attempt to go up 6 points with under two minutes to go. The fourth down play, an endzone pass to Tim Patrick, fell incomplete, giving Arizona the ball at their 20 with 1:40 remaining and no time outs, and down by three. Arizona used all but three of those seconds to move down the field with receptions of 16 and 31-yards, as Brissett found Dortch and Wilson to enter the redzone. Arizona attacked CB Christian Braswell on a double move with the game in the balance. However, with no timeouts remaining, they went the conservative router, converting the tying field goal from the 11-yard line with six second remaining. (Jaguars 24, Cardinals 24)

Overtime

The Jacksonville offense swiftly moved down the field to open the extra period, as Parker Washington climbed the latter on first down for a 25-yard sideline gain. However, on third and four, Tim Patrick ran uncovered for what likely would have gone for the first down conversion, if not a touchdown.

Facing fourth down, Cam Little drilled the 52-yard field goal. (Jaguars 27, Cardinals 24)

After a first down Josh Hines-Allen sack and an Arizona conversion, the Cardinals were unable to convert the final fourth-and-four attempt from the 42-yard line, opting to go for it than attempt the 60-yard attempt. The pass fell incomplete with Jacksonville standing at 7-4.

Best highlight:

My candidate for the best highlight is Trevor Lawrence and Parker Washington connecting for the back of the endzone throw while under pressure to take the lead. After giving up an untimely fourth turnover of the game, Lawrence made up for it never missing on the following drive to regain it.

Biggest play(s) of the game:

According to rbsdm.com, the biggest play of the game by Expected Points Added (EPA) was the third quarter, Calais Campbell tipped redzone interception (-7.1 EPA).

Per rbsdm.com, the biggest play of the game by Win Probability was Cam Little’s overtime field goal, which took Jacksonville’s win probability from 42% to 83%.

Key stats (traditional):

• QB Trevor Lawrence: 18/30 for 256 (8.5 YPA), 3 TDsm, 3 INTs, 3 sacks for -19 yards; 5 carries for 29-yards, 1 fumble lost (81.4 passer rating)
• RB Travis Etienne: 15 carries for 86 yards (5.7 YPC), 3 catches for 30-yards and 1 receiving TD (7 targets)
• TE Brenton Strange: 5 catches for 93-yards (18.6 YPR) on 5 targets
• WR Parker Washington: 5 catches for 71-yards (14.2 YPR) on 7 targets, and 1 TD
• LB Dennis Gardeck: 6 tackles (3 solo), 1.5 sacks, 1 TFL, and 1 QB hit
• LB Devin Lloyd: 5 tackles (3 solo), 1.5 sacks, 2 TFL, and 5 QB hits

View the full box score here

Game balls:

• Special Teams: K Cam Little: 2/2 FGs (both from 52-yards) and 3/3 on extra points
• Defense: LB Dennis Gardeck: 6 tackles (3 solo), 1.5 sacks, 1 TFL, and 1 QB hit
• Offense: 15 carries for 86 yards (5.7 YPC), 3 catches for 30-yards and 1 receiving TD (7 targets)

PFF notables:

The team over at Pro Football Focus noted the following from the game:

• The Jaguars dominated on the ground in net rushing 134 to 55 (4.8 net yards per rush to 2.8 for the Cardinals). Jacksonville also averaged 0.4 yards before contact, with Arizona averaging -0.2. Jacksonville also averaged one-yard after contact more than Arizona (3.7 versus 2.7).
• Jacksonville had two explosive rushes for 64-yards to Arizona’s one for 11-yards. The Jaguars also lead on explosive passes (+15-yards) with eight to Arizona’s five. Jacksonville was 3/5 on attempts of 20+ yards whereas Arizona was 1/4.

Full highlights:

• You can watch the top plays of the Week 12 matchup on the NFL’s YouTube channel here.

Post-game notables:

1. Pass Rush Showed up

With the Jaguars entering the game missing defensive end Travon Walker, there were questions on if Jacksonville would be able to pressure Brissett following his 57 pass attempts in week 11. Well, Arizona allowed 42 pressures, six sacks, and seven QB hits in this one with both Dennis Gardeck and Devin Lloyd walking away with 1.5 sacks. And while this multi-sack game may have been expected, it’s a welcome sight to see this Jacksonville front outkick the coverage when matched up against the offensive lines they should dominate.

2. A Game to Forget For Lawrence

In a season of inconsistent quarterback play, Lawrence’s performance on Sunday left more questions than answers. A four turnover day highlighted by a defensive turnover surrendered soiled what would and should have been a multi-touchdown victory for Jacksonville. In an even more difficult to understand performance, 3 of the 4 turnovers occurred with the Jaguars in control of the game and leading. Liam Coen has his work cut out for him in attempting to figure out how to get the best out of ‘gunslinger’, “Let it Rip” Trevor, while reigning him in to be a game manager who doesn’t give the matchup away whenever they have a lead.

3. Playoffs on deck?

However frustrating the performance may have been, at the end of the day your Jacksonville Jaguars are 7 and 4, one game back in the AFC South race, and the sixth seed in the AFC following a four win campaign and the offseason firing of Trent Baalke. There’s not much else that can reframe the current scenario better than those facts. Enjoy your Victory Monday, Duval. Winning feels good.

What are your thoughts from tonight’s game, Jaguars fans? Who surprised you most or disappointed you with their play tonight? Let us know in the comments.