JACKSONVILLE – In a weekly feature for the 2025 season, NFL Media and Jaguars Media analyst Bucky Brooks breaks down the Jaguars' performance in a 26-21 Week 4 victory over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

BIG IMPRESSION

• The Jaguars announced their arrival as a playoff contender with a resounding road victory over the 49ers. Though the victory was far from perfect, the Jaguars flashed the toughness, physicality and resilience of a champion while taking down one of the league's heavyweights. From dominating the line of scrimmage on offense on the way, to rolling up 151 rushing yards on 32 rush attempts, to suffocating 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (who rushed for 49 yards on 17 carries), to creating 4 takeaways on hustle plays and producing multiple big plays in the kicking game, the Jaguars dominated the game from beginning to end. With the team committed to a physical brand of football that enables them to go toe-to-toe with the league's elite squads, the Jaguars are inching closer towards becoming a playoff contender in 2025.

KEYS TO VICTORY

• The Jaguars continue to excel at playing complementary football with the offense, defense and special teams units creating and capitalizing on opportunities. Against the 49ers, the defense set the table with four takeaways, while the kick return units put points on the board (Parker Washington's 87-yard punt return score) and set up the offense in prime scoring position with Bhayshul Tuten's 54-yard kick return to set up a 26-yard field goal before the half. With the offense churning out 151 rushing yards, including Travis Etienne Jr.'s 124 yards and a rushing score on 19 rush attempts, the Jaguars controlled the game from start to finish, playing the situationally smart football that consistently produces wins.

TREVOR'S TIME

• Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence's pedestrian stat line (completed 21 of 31 passes for 174 yards with a score) does not stand out in the box score, but it was part of a winning approach that prioritized management over playmaking against the 49ers. The former No.1 overall pick effectively managed the game at the line of scrimmage, checking in and out of plays to exploit the 49ers' defensive scheme. Lawrence deftly executed a series of "check with me" calls in the running game to help Etienne find creases against an over-aggressive defense. Though Lawrence must find a way to produce more explosive plays as a passer, his patience against the 49ers' soft coverage allowed the Jaguars to move down the field, utilizing a "dink-and-dunk" game plan that did not put the ball in harm's way. As an effective "game manager" who avoided any costly turnovers, Lawrence passed the test against the 49ers with flying colors.

UNSUNG HERO

• After playing out of position for the first three seasons of his career, linebacker Devin Lloyd has been unleashed in defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile's "see ball, get ball" scheme. The fourth-year pro has flourished in his role as a "WILL" linebacker, handling both rush and coverage duties. Against the 49ers, Lloyd's instincts, awareness and hustle helped him pick off a pair of passes between the hashes. While his first pick can be attributed to his high-effort approach to running to the ball, the second interception showcased his diagnostic skills and awareness in coverage. He tracked 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy's eyes in coverage to jump in front of a throw over the middle. Lloyd's instinctive playmaking skills have been unlocked in a "vision-and-break" scheme that enables defenders to keep their eyes on their work down the field. Considering Lloyd leads the team (and is tied for the league lead) with 3 interceptions from his linebacker spot, the Jaguars have finally found an ideal role for the former first-round selection.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING

• The Jaguars' commitment to the running game continues to set the tone for an offense that aims to pound opponents between the tackles, creating explosive plays off play-action passes. The ground-and-pound strategy worked against the 49ers, with the Jaguars rumbling for 150-plus yards on 32 carries. The 49ers struggled to contain the running game, as evidenced by Etienne's 100-yard game and a few explosive runs to keep the chains moving. The aerial attack needs to produce more big plays to keep defenses from focusing extensively on keeping Etienne under wraps. Although the Jaguars have not been able to get wide receiver Brian Thomas, Jr., wide receiver Travis Hunter, tight end Brenton Strange and wide receiver Parker Washington going at the same time, the flashes from the 49ers' game suggest the crew is close to breaking through to help the offense maximize its potential as a juggernaut.

DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING

• Campanile deserves his flowers for creating a culture that demands high levels of effort, communication and toughness from every defender that walks onto the field. The Jaguars played with passion and edginess against the 49ers on Sunday, leading to a turnover spree. From the bone-crushing hits on McCaffrey between the tackles, to constant harassment of Purdy within the pocket, to the knockout punches delivered to ball carriers and pass catchers that separated them from the ball, the Jaguars' relentlessness and physicality put the NFC heavyweights on notice from the opening whistle. With the defense taking the fight to a squad regarded as "the baddest bullies on the block," the Jaguars are slowly earning respect from the football world as an elite defensive unit.