JACKSONVILLE – This was a big-time response, with a trademark dose of grit and grime.

The Jaguars threw in some timely flash, too.

Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdowns, and the Jaguars combined a strong running game with gritty, grimy defense to pull away for an early-season victory Sunday – 35-6 over the defending AFC Champion New England Patriots at EverBank Stadium.

The Jaguars needed this one after their first loss of the 2026 season, and they got it in impressive fashion.

Lawrence's two first-half touchdowns – to wide receivers Josh Cameron and Jakobi Meyers – gave the Jaguars a 14-3 halftime lead, with the Jaguars scoring two third-quarter touchdowns in 18 seconds to enter the fourth quarter with a 25-point lead.

The Jaguars (2-1) maintained their early-season lead in the AFC South, winning for the 10th time in 11 regular-season games. Sunday marked their sixth consecutive regular-season home victory, with the Jaguars winning a week after losing 20-13 at Denver last week.

Lawrence's third touchdown pass went to wide receiver Parker Washington, who made a remarkable front-of-the-end-zone reception despite pass interference on third-and-goal from the 17 to give the Jaguars a three-score lead with 1:08 remaining in the third quarter.

Cornerback Jarrian Jones' 32-yard interception return on the ensuing play from scrimmage set up a five-yard run by running back Chris Rodriguez to give the Jaguars a 28-3 lead.

Lawrence completed 19 of 29 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye completed 14 of 25 passes for 199 yards and no touchdowns with two interceptions, with a lost second-quarter fumble that led to the Jaguars' first touchdown - a short pass over the middle from Lawrence to Cameron.

The Jaguars' defense was credited with three sacks – a team sack on Maye's fumble, a second-quarter sack by defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro and a shared third-quarter sack by rookie defensive Bryan Thomas Jr./tackle DaVon Hamilton.

The defense also registered three takeaways, with cornerback Travis Hunter registering his first career interception – an end-zone interception off Maye to preserve a 14-3 lead with 1:02 remaining in the second quarter.

2026 Week 3, Step by step:

• Hamilton's recovery of a fumble by Maye stopped a drive and gave the Jaguars possession at their 38 with 3:52 remaining in the first quarter.
• Cameron's 12-yard reception from Lawrence capped a 10-play, 62-yard drive on the possession after Hamilton's fumble recovery for a 7-0 Jaguars lead with 13:29 remaining in the second quarter: Lawrence's 18-yard pass to Washington on third-and-5 from the Jaguars 43 keyed the drive. Kicker Andy Borregales' 35-yard field goal with 9:12 remaining cut the lead to 7-3, a field goal that came four plays after cornerback Marcus Jones' interception off a Lawrence pass that deflected off tight end Brenton Strange's hands and gave the Patriots possession at the Jaguars 21. Meyers' 10-yard pass from Lawrence capped a nine-play, 65-yard drive on the ensuing possession and extended the lead to 14-3 with 4:23 remaining in the second quarter.
• Washington's 17-yard reception late in the third quarter capped a 15-play, 72-yard drive that consumed 8:42. The Jaguars pushed the lead to 28-3 with Rodriguez's 5-run with :50 remaining in the quarter.
• Borregales' 40-yard field goal cut the lead to 28-6 with 13:21 remaining, with Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten's 1-yard run with 8:02 remaining pushing the lead to 35-6.

Notable: Lawrence's second touchdown pass of the game – the 10-yarder to Meyers -- moved him past Blake Bortles into second place on the franchise's career touchdown passing list with 104. … Quinn Ewers, acquired by the Jaguars via trade shortly before the season, was active for the first time this season and backed up Lawrence. Ewers was inactive for each of the first two games of the season, with the Jaguars elevating Nick Mullens from the practice squad to backup Lawrence in those two games. The Jaguars' six inactive players Sunday: Rookie wide receiver CJ Williams, veteran guard Daniel Faalele, rookie defensive tackle Albert Regis (elbow), rookie defensive end Wesley Williams, linebacker Jack Kiser and rookie safety Jalen Huskey.