JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars’ 30-29 overtime victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in a 2025 Week 9 game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., Sunday.

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. Take it how you get it. It may be truthfully said that this Jaguars victory wasn't always pretty – and that good fortune was involved. It's just as true that you win how you win in the NFL – and that this victory was as important as any for the Jaguars yet this season. Not only did the victory snap a two-game losing streak, it pulled the Jaguars (5-3) to within a game and a half of first place in the AFC South – with the division-leading Indianapolis Colts (7-2) losing, 27-20, to the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday. And as ugly as Sunday looked for a while, the Jaguars remain in second place in position to push for the postseason at what is essentially the season's midway point. No, the Jaguars did not look great for a lot of Sunday – particularly in the first half offensively and second half defensively. And many of the same "fixable and avoidable" errors that plagued them in recent weeks must still be fixed and avoided in a road game against the division rival Houston Texans Sunday. That's a conversation for Monday. On Sunday, the Jaguars found a way to win – and in professional football, that matters above all else. You take victories how you get them in the NFL and getting one Sunday made what at times was an ugly game ultimately quite beautiful.
2. This was about guts. You don't contend in the NFL without willing your way to a few victories, and make no mistake: Sunday for the Jaguars was about guts, will and desire. Not only did quarterback Trevor Lawrence play through illness, and not only was this the first game after Friday's announcement that rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, the Jaguars sustained a slew of injuries Sunday. Cornerback Jourdan Lewis missed most of the game with a shoulder injury, and the second half featured injuries to wide receiver Dyami Brown (concussion), wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle) and guard Ezra Cleveland (knee/ankle) among others. That left the Jaguars with a depleted receiving corps late in the fourth quarter and overtime, with reserve receiver Austin Trammell turning in a key kickoff return and reserve receiver Tim Jones turning a key late reception. "It was just guys stepping up," Lawrence said. "That's what was really cool about today. It wasn't exactly what you thought it would be going into the game. Guys go down and guys have to step up and make plays." This was a gutsy victory – and on that front, an impressive one.

Brian Sexton, Senior Correspondent…

1. Lawrence answered the bell twice on Sunday. He led a game-tying drive in regulation and a beautiful, time-consuming, game-winning drive in overtime. I wanted to rip him when he threw an inexcusable interception in the end zone to cap a 17-play drive in the first half, but he answered the bell – and then some. His 18-yard strike to wide receiver Parker Washington set up Cam Little's NFL record 68-yard field goal at the end of the first half, which lit a fire on offense. The Jaguars scored on their final six drives, and Lawrence did it with some clutch throws and a few important runs. He was impressive in the second half – and at least for one week silenced the critics with a gutty, gritty performance in Vegas.
2. The defense is an entirely different story. The Jaguars couldn't stop the Raiders from scoring on their last three possessions of regulation and on their overtime possession. They struggled to pressure Raiders quarterback Geno Smith and couldn't cover tight end Brock Bowers, especially in the second half. They did contain running back Ashton Jeanty and the Raiders' running game to put it all on Smith, but he responded by completing 29 of 39 passes for 284 yards and four touchdown passes. The secondary is now without Smith, Hunter and safety Eric Murray – and it showed. Still: Nose tackle DaVon Hamilton saved the day. Hopefully they can get linebacker Devin Lloyd and Lewis back in time to head to Houston Sunday.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...

1. Lady Luck favored the Jaguars on Sunday in Las Vegas. After a miserable first half and inconsistent second half, the Jaguars didn't necessarily deserve to win Sunday. Yet, the game came down to one play in overtime and the Jaguars did just enough to win. The Raiders, after scoring in the final seconds of overtime and trailing by one point, decided to attempt a two-point conversion to win. Hamilton batted down Smith's pass and the Jaguars walked away improbable winners. Sometimes it simply comes down to one lucky play at the right time.
2. Hines-Allen again adds his name to the Jaguars' record books. Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen's 1.5 sacks Sunday tied former Jaguars defensive end Tony Brackens' franchise record of 55 career sacks. It may feel like a longtime coming for Hines-Allen after he only recorded a half of a sack through the first seven games, but it's not for lack of effort as he has greatly affected opposing quarterbacks with hits, tackles for loss and pressures. It will be nice now to finally relieve some of the pressure as the franchise record is now in hand.