JACKSONVILLE – In a weekly feature for the 2025 season, NFL Media and Jaguars Media Analyst Bucky Brooks breaks down the Jaguars' performance in a 31-28 Week 5 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.

BIG IMPRESSION

• The Jaguars walked away with a gritty win on a national stage, announcing their arrival as a legitimate playoff contender. Though the performance was far from perfect, it was a confidence-boosting win that could propel this team on a run that exceeds preseason expectations. Offensively, the emergence of wide receivers Travis Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. as a dynamic pass-catching duo should unlock some of the big-play potential that has been missing from a unit that has relied on a ground-and-pound approach with running back Travis Etienne Jr. leading the way. Defensively, the turnover-obsessed unit continues to come up with game-changing plays at pivotal moments, as evidenced by linebacker Devin Lloyd's 99-yard "Pick Six" in the second half. With the Jaguars learning how to win utilizing a complementary football strategy that ties the offense, defense and kicking units together, first-year Head Coach Liam Coen is on the verge of building an AFC heavyweight in Duval County.

KEYS TO VICTORY

• The Jaguars earned a hard-fought win against a perennial title contender due to a gutsy effort from everyone on the 53-man roster. After squashing the nerves that led to an uneven first-half performance, the "real" Jaguars emerged in the second half with an impressive "three-phase" performance that showcased synergy between the offense, defense and special teams. The offense found its stride in key moments behind quarterback Trevor Lawrence's superstar flashes. Though the Jaguars' QB1 was far from perfect, he made enough splash plays with his legs and arm to sustain drives and score points with the game hanging in the balance. The defense made its mark with a game-changing turnover that flipped the momentum and ignited a raucous crowd. While Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes pushed the defense to the brink, the Jaguars made enough plays to force the former MVP to walk away with an improbable loss. With the return units also coming up with a few dynamic plays to flip the field position, the Jaguars did just enough to knock off a perennial contender that rarely loses one-score games.

TREVOR'S TIME

• Trevor's magical Monday Night Football performance might be the signature win of his career. Although the former No. 1 overall pick did not play a perfect game, he displayed the grit and toughness expected of a franchise quarterback. From his hard-nosed runs near the goal line to his pinpoint passes on critical downs, Lawrence made the game-winning plays when his team needed him to come through in the clutch. Given his spectacular effort on a primetime stage, Lawrence could be on the verge of taking the next step as a star quarterback.

UNSUNG HERO

• Lloyd might have cemented his case as the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year. The fourth-year pro registered his fourth interception of the season, with a 99-yard "Pick Six" that flipped the game's momentum. As a big-play specialist thriving as a designated playmaker in a new scheme, Lloyd has finally emerged as the disruptive force the team envisioned when he was the No. 27h overall selection of the 2022 NFL Draft.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING

• The offense scratched out enough production to knock off the perennial title contenders. Lawrence and Co. rolled up 300-plus yards of offense against a blitz-happy defensive coordinator who wanted to put the game on No.16's shoulders. Although the persistent pressure from the Chiefs neutralized the Jaguars' potent running game and disrupted Lawrence's rhythm within the pocket, the team's top playmakers (Etienne, Thomas and Hunter) made the plays that mattered when the game was on the line. For a team that has stumbled repeatedly in close games, the Jaguars' win against the Chiefs could boost the confidence of an emerging playoff contender.

DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING

• The defense continues to step up in pivotal moments. Against the Chiefs, Lloyd's "Pick Six" provided the spark to help the unit seize control of the game. Despite allowing Mahomes to throw for 318 yards and a touchdown, the Jaguars forced the Chiefs to play on their terms for most of the game by eliminating the big play. By limiting the "explosives" and forcing the Chiefs to drive the field's length, the Jaguars were able to snatch a one-score contest in the game's final minute.