In a rivalry defined by physicality, bad blood, and high-stakes moments, the Jaguars walked into their matchup against the Tennessee Titans knowing precisely what was on the line: momentum, divisional pride, and the chance to reassert themselves as a legitimate contender down the stretch. What followed was a performance that blended grit with execution — the kind of outing Jacksonville has been searching for as they try to solidify their identity in 2025.
Jacksonville came out with a clear mission: dictate the tempo early. Doug Pederson opened the playbook with a balanced script — quick-game passes, wide-zone runs, and early shots off play-action. Trevor Lawrence looked dialed in from the opening drive, using crisp timing throws to keep Tennessee’s defense off balance.
Calvin Ridley and Brian Thomas Jr. both made immediate impacts, stretching the Titans vertically and forcing lighter boxes. That opened the door for Travis Etienne, who ran decisively and patiently behind improved blocking from the interior line.
By the end of the first quarter, the Jaguars had already taken a multi-score lead, and more importantly, they had seized control of the game’s rhythm.
This performance will be remembered as one of Trevor Lawrence’s cleaner games of the season. He avoided the drive-killing mistakes that had plagued Jacksonville in recent weeks and instead showcased a level of poise reminiscent of his late-2023 surge.
- Intermediate accuracy was sharp.
- Protection adjustments were smooth
- He used his legs effectively to extend drives
But his most impressive trait? Command. Lawrence consistently got the offense out of bad looks, took what the defense gave him, and connected on high-percentage throws that built offensive momentum. It was the QB1 version Jacksonville needs down the stretch.
If the offense set the tone early, the defense matched it with attitude.
Tennessee tried to lean on its run game, but Mike Caldwell’s unit wasn’t having it. The Jaguars' front seven swarmed the line of scrimmage, forcing the Titans into uncomfortable second and third-and-long situations.
Key defensive highlights:
- Run defense clogged between the tackles
- Pass rush won consistently with simulated pressures
- Young corners held up well against Tennessee’s physical receivers
Jacksonville’s ability to stop the run early completely disrupted Tennessee’s game plan and put the ball in the hands of a quarterback who struggled under pressure.
This win was more than a box-score victory — it was a re-establishing of who the Jaguars can be when the fundamentals align:
- Balanced offense
- Clean, efficient quarterback play
- Opportunistic defense
- Complementary football for all four quarters
This team doesn’t need to be flashy. It just needs to be sharp. And for the first time in weeks, they were.
With the AFC South still tight, this game represents a critical momentum swing. Jacksonville now has the chance to stack wins and reassert itself as the division’s standard-bearer.
If Trevor Lawrence continues to play with this level of confidence and the defense maintains its discipline, the Jaguars become a very different — and very dangerous — team.