Lawrence Torches Jets For 6 TDs, Leads Jaguars To 48-20 Blowout Victory
Trevor Lawrence had a massive six-touchdown game Sunday to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars to an easy steamrolling of the New York Jets, 48-20. The Jaguars dominated in every facet of the game en route to getting their tenth win of the season and maintaining their division lead in the AFC South.
Lawrence’s Mammoth Day
Lawrence completed 20 of 32 passes for 330 yards and five touchdowns. He also had five rushes for 51 yards, including a 15-yard scramble for a touchdown. He had at least one touchdown in every quarter of the game. Sunday’s game was Lawrence’s third straight game without a turnover and his second straight without taking a sack.
Jaguars Strike Early and Often
Jacksonville scored touchdowns on its first three drives of the ballgame and never looked back. Lawrence hit Brian Thomas Jr. from four yards out on the opening drive of the game to give Jacksonville the early lead. The Jets gambled on their first drive, going for a fourth and one on their own 44, and turned the ball over on downs when running back Breece Hall was dropped for a six-yard loss.
The Jaguars were quick to capitalize. Five plays after the turnover, Lawrence scrambled down the left sideline for a 15-yard touchdown. New York answered back on their next drive, going 65 yards in nine plays. Third-string rookie quarterback Brady Cook hit Adonai Mitchell for a nine-yard touchdown to make it 14-7.
However, Jacksonville got a 43-yard kickoff return from Bhayshul Tuten on the ensuing kickoff, and Lawrence hit Tuten five plays later for another touchdown, this one from 16 yards out. After the two teams traded field goals, Lawrence struck again. He hit running back Travis Etienne Jr. for a 20-yard touchdown to send his team into halftime up 31-10.
Second Half, Same as the First
Things did not improve for the Jets in the second half. After Nick Folk hit a 51-yard field goal, Lawrence drove the Jags 72 yards in seven plays. Etienne caught his second touchdown pass to cap the drive, this one an eight-yard strike over the middle.
The Jets turned the ball over on downs four plays into their next drive, leaving the Jaguars a short field yet again. This time, though, New York was able to hold Jacksonville to a 22-yard field goal from Cam Little. New York made it 41-20 early in the fourth quarter after running back Isaiah ran for a 24-yard touchdown.
Once again, the Jets’ kick coverage failed them, and LeQuint Allen Jr. gave the Jaguars a short field with a fifty-yard kickoff return. Lawrence would need only two plays this time, hitting Etienne on a short pass that he took 45 yards to paydirt to stretch the lead to 48-20.
Things got sloppy the rest of the way. After a New York punt, Jacksonville wideout Dyami Brown fumbled the ball back to the Jets. However, Cook would throw interceptions on each of New York’s last two possessions to end any hope for the Jets.
The Jaguars’ Well-Rounded Game
Lawrence was not the only Jaguar to have a big day. The team got contributions in all facets of the game. Etienne only had 32 yards rushing, but all three of his receptions went for touchdowns. The defense stepped up with three sacks and three interceptions.
The Jags’ special teams unit was also a strength. Little hit all eight of his kicks, and punter Logan Cooke averaged 54 yards on his two punts. Jacksonville got two kick returns of 40 yards or more. The team did not have a weakness on Sunday.
New York’s Disappointing Season Continues
With Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor both out, the Jets were forced to rely on the undrafted free agent Cook at quarterback. Cook did have his moments. He completed 22 of 33 passes for 176 yards and that touchdown to Mitchell, but he also threw three interceptions. The offensive line did him no favors, allowing three sacks and failing him on fourth downs.
Mitchell led Jets receivers with 58 yards and their lone receiving touchdown. Davis had nine rushes for 58 yards and a touchdown. The team’s defense allowed 438 total yards and was unable to get pressure on Lawrence. New York will have a lot of questions to answer at the end of the season.
What Is Next For Both Teams?
Jacksonville is now 10-4 on the season. They head to Denver next Sunday for a showdown with the 11-2 Broncos, who currently trail the Green Bay Packers 16-14 at halftime. New York is now 3-11 after the loss. The Jets head to New Orleans next Sunday to take on the 3-10 Saints, who are trailing the Carolina Panthers 17-7 midway through the third quarter.
