The Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t make it easy on themselves in Week 12 — but they walked out of the desert with a win that could define their season. In a game filled with momentum swings, gut-punch turnovers, clutch drives, and late-game drama, Jacksonville outlasted the Arizona Cardinals 27-24 in overtime to move to 7-4 and remain squarely in the AFC playoff race.
This was a matchup that showcased the worst and the best of the Jaguars in the same four quarters. But ultimately, when the moment demanded poise, Jacksonville delivered — and delivered big.
A Fast Start That Set the Tone
Jacksonville scripted one of its sharpest opening drives of the season. Trevor Lawrence was crisp, confident, and decisive, leading a 97-yard march capped by a 15-yard dart to Travis Etienne Jr. in the flat. The Jaguars immediately looked like the more prepared team, balancing tempo, run-action, and spacing to stress the Cardinals’ defense.
But that momentum evaporated quickly.
Midway through the first quarter, rookie Arizona defensive tackle Walter Nolen III scooped up a Lawrence fumble and rumbled 17 yards into the end zone. Suddenly, a dominant start was erased, and the game reset at 7-7. It was a sign of things to come — every time Jacksonville surged forward, mistakes dragged them back.
The Turnover Roller Coaster
There’s no way around it: Trevor Lawrence put the Jaguars in difficult situations.
Four turnovers — three interceptions and the early fumble — threatened to derail Jacksonville’s afternoon. Some of the throws were forced, some were miscommunications, and some were simply the result of Arizona disguising coverages well.
But here’s the paradox of Lawrence’s day:
He also made every winning throw the Jaguars needed.
That may define his growth as a quarterback — a willingness to rebound immediately after mistakes instead of spiraling. Where earlier versions of Lawrence may have tightened up, this version kept attacking.
Trading Blows Through the Middle Quarters
The second and third quarters were a tug-of-war. Arizona leaned heavily on veteran QB Jacoby Brissett, who threw for 317 yards and consistently targeted Michael Wilson (10 catches, 118 yards), who feasted on soft zones. Arizona eventually grabbed a 21-17 lead after Brissett connected with Greg Dortch for a 39-yard touchdown.
But Jacksonville would not go away.
With just under four minutes left, Lawrence delivered one of the biggest throws of the season — a nine-yard strike to Parker Washington, threading a needle in tight space to put the Jaguars up 24-21. It was a vintage “trust your playmaker” moment, and Washington rewarded that trust.
The Fourth-and-One Controversy
With just over a minute remaining, Doug Pederson faced a defining decision:
Fourth-and-one inside field-goal range, up three.
Kick and force Arizona to go the length of the field for a touchdown.
Or go for it and try to end the game.
Pederson went aggressive — and the Jaguars didn’t convert.
That decision created the final act of regulation drama. Brissett guided Arizona 69 yards down the field, setting up a game-tying 29-yard field goal with three seconds left.
Tie game. Arizona swinging the momentum. And Jacksonville on the ropes.
Overtime: Poise, Power, and a Rookie Kicker’s Moment
In overtime, the Jaguars stabilized.
Cam Little — the cold-blooded rookie with a history of big-moment kicking — stepped into a 52-yard attempt and drilled it down the middle to give Jacksonville a 27-24 lead.
Arizona had one final chance. They reached Jacksonville territory but stalled near the 42-yard line. On 4th-and-long, Brissett took a shot deep — but underthrew it. The Jaguars’ secondary held firm, and Jacksonville escaped with a victory that showcased both their flaws and their grit.
What This Win Says About the Jaguars
This wasn’t polished. This wasn’t clean. This wasn’t even pretty.
But it was important.
This was the type of game that playoff teams must find ways to win:
1. They overcame adversity.
Four turnovers on the road usually equals a loss. Jacksonville refused that script.
2. They trusted their stars.
Etienne, Washington, and Lawrence all delivered when it mattered.
3. They showed resilience in chaos.
Not every NFL game is going to be tidy, but the best teams weather the storm and finish stronger than they started.
4. Doug Pederson’s belief in his offense remains unchanged.
Even with the failed fourth-down attempt, the aggressiveness sets a tone:
This team will try to win games, not avoid losing them.
Looking Ahead
With the Jaguars now at 7-4, they remain firmly in the running for both the AFC South title and a strong playoff seed. But this game serves as a reminder:
- Turnovers must be cleaned up.
- Situational discipline must be sharper.
- Red-zone efficiency needs tightening.
Still, if Jacksonville pairs its talent with the kind of toughness it showed in Arizona, the ceiling remains sky-high.
The desert didn’t break the Jaguars — it revealed exactly how dangerous they can be when they refuse to quit.