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

John Oehser, Jaguars senior writer…

1. T-Law was flexible and efficient. Credit Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence: Not only did he have a big game on Sunday after a tough week with the accompanying outside noise, he played exactly the type of game he was supposed to play. Lawrence, after missing several big-play passes in a four-point loss to the Houston Texans last week, had an efficient game on Sunday, also hitting two huge plays. “He led the charge and saw 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 who set up a four-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brenton Strange in the first half. fourth quarter. This came before Lawrence went three for three for 34 yards as the Jaguars maneuvered for a game-winning field goal from 49 yards with :17 left. Lawrence showed on Sunday the patience and accuracy necessary to execute the game plan 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. Most impressive was how he played under difficult conditions when he and the team needed him to. “I just kind of hunkered down and didn’t really listen to anything, to be honest,” Lawrence said. “That stuff doesn’t matter. You don’t want that stuff to creep in. It’s about the guys in the building and the work we put in.”
2. Youth served. This Jaguars win was big for a myriad of reasons. One was that they really needed it after an 0-4 start. And it gives them confidence on the way to London. But it’s also significant that they got huge plays from their young, developing players. Defensive end Travon Walker had a career-high three sacks, including one that led to a field goal in the first half and another that secured the win on the final play of the game. Thomas continued to look like an elite player in the making. Tank Bigsby continued his rapid development into a reliable, big 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. Those are four young, drafted players who provide the kind of big, clutch plays that this team hasn’t made enough of this season. There were many good signs on Sunday. That could be the best thing for the future of this franchise.