JACKSONVILLE – Boy, did they need this? Boy, it did He need this.

The Jaguars defeated the Indianapolis Colts 37-34 on Sunday in a Week 5 2024 matchup at EverBank Field. It was the Jaguars’ first win after four losses to start the season and was Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s best game of the season after struggling at times in Weeks 1-4.

Did the Jaguars and Lawrence need this? Absolute.

We don’t know yet if the win saved the season. The Jaguars at 1-4 still need to win a lot and lose very little before we start talking about the things we want to discuss in late November and December.

But 1-4 is a lot better than 0-5 on the way to London. They will take it.

BTJ is special. He wasn’t caught from behind either. We haven’t seen that in a long time.

There were a lot of encouraging storylines surrounding the Jaguars Sunday. The continued rise of Jaguars rookie Brian Thomas Jr. is one of them. His 85-yard touchdown reception in the first half Sunday was just the latest proof that he has a very real chance to become an elite receiver. He has special properties. It’s exciting, impressive stuff.

J.Keith (don’t just call me, Keith) from Saint Augustine, FL

Trevor is back!!! To all the hecklers in the cheap seats… baby hush.

Lawrence played exceptionally well on Sunday. He threw two touchdown passes and completed deep shots to Thomas and wide receiver Christian Kirk. Those are the “moment” plays he missed early in the season. He also played with patience and accuracy against a Gus Bradley defense that forces patience and accurate short/intermediate throws. Lawrence received a lot of criticism last week. Good for him for a big game when he needed it.

Beavis from the south side

Hey, Funky King! Just for the FTR record — I wasn’t among those calling for Tank to be cut or benched last year. But my question: On the Colts’ last possession, I told Beavis Junior that all we needed was a big sack to end the game, and Travon delivered! Do you think I have ESP?

Don’t know. I know that Jaguars defensive player Travon Walker has been good for this team for a long time and that was good again on Sunday. Running back Tank Bigsby is further proof that you don’t give up on players who struggle as rookies.

Okay, John. What is the point gap before I switch to watching Scott Hansen? 17? 20?

This was the much-discussed, sometimes pertinent, and often silly first email of the game. This one, as it turned out, wasn’t that exaggerated or crazy. It was just a bit weird.

Haney from Little Elm, Texas

There’s no way this team wins more than three games this year. And that could be generous. What are they actually working on during the week, because it certainly isn’t watching film or preparing for the opposition.

Hitting send in the first quarter sometimes bites you.

James from Titusville, NJ

How many more times do we have to endure a failed fourth-down attempt before Doug learns to take the points given? The same answer as always: “At least one more time.”

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson will be aggressive in situations where many NFL head coaches in different eras would not have been aggressive. And you’re right: this isn’t going to change.

And all is right with the world.

I’m glad you enjoyed your game.

I can’t remember ever having such a bad defense. Flacco’s last two drives took, what, four plays to go 160 yards for two touchdowns?

Can you remember a Jaguars defense as bad as this? Real? I understand the defense was bad in the fourth quarter on Sunday, but this defense through five games is definitely not among the worst we’ve seen here.

Damn, it feels good to win. Screw all that other talk. In the immortal words of Al Davis, “just win baby!”

One ruins all other talk.

Bob from Weaverville NC (evacuated to SC)

Oh man, why don’t our defensive starters even play the whole game? It clearly doesn’t work. You’ll continue to hear from me as we rebuild. Try to be less abrasive. 😉

Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen believes in rotating players to have young players ready and to keep veteran players fresh as the season progresses. Pederson and the organization seem to believe in this too. After Sunday there are defensive questions. I don’t know if this is at the top of the list.

Kathy from Jacksonville, Florida

It was like night and day! What made the difference? The biggest difference was that everyone at EverBank was smiling!! It felt surreal.

Winning is cool. Fans like it.