JACKSONVILLE – In a weekly feature for the 2025 season, NFL Media and Jaguars Media Analyst Bucky Brooks breaks down the Jaguars' performance in a 35-6 Week 11 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville

BIG IMPRESSION

• Credit Liam Coen for leaning into the Jaguars' newfound identity as a rough-and-rugged team that plays with an edge. The rookie head coach instructed his team to bully the bullies from Hollywood by crafting a run-based offensive game plan designed to punch the Chargers squarely in the mouth at the point of attack. The Jaguars ran 47 times for 192 rushing yards, leading to a 37:55-22:05 edge in time of possession. Additionally, the Jaguars' defensive front dominated the line of scrimmage with three sacks, five tackles for loss and six quarterback hits in 45 defensive snaps. With the Jaguars controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, Coen was rewarded for his bold decision to double down on the team's smash-mouth approach.

KEYS TO VICTORY

• The Jaguars returned to the winning blueprint that helped them to a 4-1 start. The team played superb complementary football with the offense relying on a punishing running game to control the clock and tempo. At the same time, the defense produced timely stops and takeaways. The thorough dismantling of one of the league's heavyweights showcased the Jaguars' potential when the offensive and defensive lines control the trenches. As a run-heavy offense with a potent backfield featuring a pair of explosive runners (Travis Etienne Jr. and Bhayshul Tuten) who excel between the tackles and on the perimeter, the recommitment to the running game – despite a patchwork offensive line – paid significant dividends for a team that wants to embrace a smash-mouth style. Defensively, the unit's early down success enabled the team's top pass rushers (Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker) to harass Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert within the pocket relentlessly. With the frontlines controlling the action in the trenches, the Jaguars cruised to a dominant win that restored the team's faith in its winning formula.

TREVOR'S TIME

• The Jaguars' franchise quarterback effectively managed the game against the Chargers. Operating with a wristband for the first time this season, Trevor Lawrence minimized the Jaguars' pre-snap miscues with better communication and pre-snap management. Additionally, he shook off a slow start to efficiently pick apart the Chargers' secondary, throwing a series of pinpoint passes in the second half that kept the offense on schedule with the game in the balance. Although he had an interception and missed the mark on a few big-play chances, Lawrence's solid performance was enough to get a win on a day when the running game was rolling from the opening snap to the final whistle.

UNSUNG HERO

• The Jaguars' offensive line deserves a standing ovation after pummeling the Chargers into submission. The starting lineup featuring Cole Van Lanen, Patrick Mekari, Robert Hainsey, Ezra Cleveland and Walker Little with Chuma Edoga coming in as a "Jumbo" tight end, controlled the line of scrimmage from the start. The Jaguars averaged 4.1 yards per carry while running various downhill and perimeter plays that enabled the offensive line to move defenders off the ball, utilizing different tracks. The combination of schematic wizardry and frontline execution enabled Etienne and Tuten to run unobstructed through holes at the point of attack. Given the offensive line's dominance, the unit deserves a round of applause for its efforts.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING

• The Jaguars got back to basics against the Chargers, relying on a rugged running game to set the tone from the outset. The unit's efficiency and effectiveness on the ground allowed the Jaguars to control the clock while wearing down the Chargers' defense with a barrage of downhill and cutback runs between the tackles. The offense's success with the rushing attack enabled Coen to rely on a conservative game plan, placing Lawrence in a managerial role for most of the game. Although the franchise quarterback made a handful of key throws in the second half, the offense leaned on Etienne, Tuten and the offensive line to move the chains for four quarters. Given the Jaguars' dominance in rushing yards and time of possession, the "three yards and a cloud of dust" approach might be the best path to victory in the future.

DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING

• Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile got the defense back on track with a scaled-down game plan that allowed the unit to play "fast and free" against the Chargers. The Jaguars played with the urgency and physicality that overwhelmed opponents earlier this season, leading to big plays and turnovers from the ultra-aggressive unit. With the defense consistently winning on early downs Sunday, the pass rush was able to heat up Herbert and force the Chargers' QB1 into a subpar performance that few expected. If the Jaguars continue to stop the run and generate consistent pressure from the front four, the defense will transform into the turnover machine that sparked the team's early-season success.