JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars’ 48-20 victory over the New York Jets in a 2025 Week 15 game at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville Sunday

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. For real. For real. This was a day to remember for Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence – and it was yet another sign that the fifth-year veteran is developing from a good quarterback with potential into a consistent one moving toward being one the NFL's better players at his position. Lawrence on Sunday was nothing short of spectacular, throwing a career-high 5 touchdown passes and running for another. But this game was more than his best career statistical game. It was his third consecutive game without an interception, and he now has thrown 14 touchdowns during the Jaguars' 5-game winning streak. Lawrence has played with increased confidence since Head Coach Liam Coen counseled him publicly and privately to just "let it rip," and the improvement he has shown in recent weeks in his first season in Coen's offense has been nothing short of remarkable. "I don't think I've ever seen Trevor like this," said Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr., Lawrence's teammate since playing together collegiately at Clemson. Observers have been waiting for Lawrence to fulfill expectations as the No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, and they have been quick to criticize when he has fallen short. It may be time for those observers to realize the Jaguars have a big-time quarterback, and that Lawrence is a huge reason the Jaguars lead the AFC South and look like one of the AFC's best teams as late December approaches.
2. Just what they wanted, and needed. The Jaguars at 10-4 and atop the AFC South are unquestionably a good team – and on Sunday, they did what good teams do by turning in a convincing December victory over a struggling team. The Jaguars not only took an early 14-0 lead Sunday, they nimbly and capably withstood the brief surge expected from a team that hasn't quit on first-year Head Coach Aaron Glenn. A "wow" interception by cornerback Montaric Brown and an ensuing touchdown pass from Lawrence to Etienne late in the second quarter essentially secured the victory, and the second half was about the EverBank Stadium fans chanting and celebrating a sixth victory in seven games. Sunday from the beginning had the makings of an easy Jaguars victory, with the Jets struggling mightily entering the game and starting free-agent rookie quarterback Brady Cook. But to actually turn those makings into a one-sided victory of the variety the Jaguars turned in Sunday is what good teams do. Sunday was what the Jaguars wanted and needed. That they got it is yet another sign that this team is really good and a serious contender.

Brian Sexton, Senior Correspondent…

1. We're watching a quarterback take a huge step forward. We've seen flashes of brilliance from Lawrence at times in his NFL career and even stretches of consistency, but what we're watching right now is a guy blending the two at the most important moment of the season. Since throwing his third interception in a Week 12 overtime victory over Arizona, Lawrence is blazing a new trail and the man has been on a heater. He's thrown for nearly 900 yards, 9 touchdowns; no interceptions, has a passer rating of 117.8 – and on Sunday against the Jets, even his 330 yards and career-best, franchise-record-tying 5 touchdown passes don't quite tell the whole story. He was incredibly poised and decisive in the pocket; nothing bothered him, and nothing confused him. He wasn't perfect, but you must think hard to remember plays that were there that he didn't make. Part of Sunday's story is a Jets defense that showed little in the way of front-line NFL talent. But the main story isn't the woebegone Jets; it's the rise of a quarterback who has finally found his stride and made sure the Jets knew from the early moments of the game that this was not going to be their day. Lawrence put on a show.
2. Coen won't have to play the respect card to get his team ready for Denver. Coen can point to personal-foul penalties on cornerback Greg Newsome II, wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and defensive tackle Maason Smith that led directly to a field goal and a touchdown for the Jets and essentially took four points off the board for the Jags when they had to settle for a field goal. That's not smart football, and this team must play smart if they're going to win at Empower Field at Mile High against the Denver Broncos next week. The Jaguars' pass rush also was inconsistent Sunday; did you ever feel that Jets rookie free agent quarterback Brady Cook was under duress? And the Jaguars' run defense allowed a couple of big gains. The Jaguars won comfortably Sunday, and the defense played good enough, but I know they expect to play better, and they must do that to beat the Broncos.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer...

1. Letting it rip. Lawrence continued to impress with another outstanding individual performance, finishing Sunday with a career-best 136.7 passer rating. Everything went Lawrence's way Sunday, including a memorable rollout to his left side trying to evade pressure. He was somehow able to throw across his body and connect with wide receiver Parker Washington for a 33-yard reception. Etienne remarked postgame that this was the best he has ever seen Lawrence play, including their college national championship run at Clemson. Lawrence on Sunday erased any debate about his best career game.
2. A career year in a contract year. Etienne continues to look like the Jaguars' Offensive Most Valuable Player this season from my point of view. Consistency throughout the season and contributions every week make him the most dependable part of the offense. Sunday, he tacked on another skillset with 3 receiving touchdowns for the first time in his career. Etienne will be looking for a long-term contract in the offseason and he is showing the NFL he will be well worth the investment – in the run game and the pass game.