GLENDALE, Ariz. – Senior writer John Oehser examines five key plays from the Jaguars' 27-24 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in a 2025 Week 12 game at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Sunday
1. Knock it down. The Jaguars clawed their way to a critical victory Sunday, with the game eventually coming down to a football hanging in the dark, desert sky for what seemed forever. The Jaguars led by the final margin on overtime when Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett threw deep on 4th-and-4 from the Jaguars 42 to wide receiver Xavier Weaver, who leaped for the pass along with Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell and safety Andrew Wingard near the Jaguars 5-yard line. Wingard defensed the pass, with the ball falling incomplete and Jaguars players and coaches celebrating a dramatic victory. "It did feel like [the pass stayed in the air] quite a while," Head Coach Liam Coen said. "I saw him (Brissett) drifting back. It looked like if he would have taken a three-step drop, I think we had an edge on him, but he just kind of kept drifting in the pocket. I'm like, 'Get him! Get him!' The ball was up in the air. Dewey (Wingard) did a nice job of overlapping to help Christian and we get the ball down. We made a stop, made a play when we needed it at the end and get out of here with a big West Coast win."
2. P-Dub … again. When the Jaguars need a play, wide receiver Parker Washington has an increasing habit of making it. Perhaps Washington's biggest play Sunday came during a back-and-forth fourth quarter, with Washington outfighting a defensive back for a nine-yard touchdown that capped a six-play, 65-yard drive and gave the Jaguars a 24-21 lead with 3:37 remaining. "We had a man beater on, and he just kept playing," Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. "The guy actually undercut it and tried to make a good play on the ball, and Parker just kept fighting to kind of get back over top. I just put it kind of low in a way where he could go make a play, and he came up with it. He played awesome all day. Parker made some huge plays – a lot of guys on offense (did). Guys stepped up when we needed it."
3. Meyers … again. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, acquired in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders, has made repeated big plays in three games with the Jaguars – and has given Lawrence a reliable target. He was key on a third-quarter possession that followed a 42-yard punt return by Washington. Meyers first caught a 12-yard pass on third-and-18 from Lawrence to set up third-and-6 at the Cardinals 10, with Meyers coming back toward Lawrence to secure the reception. Meyers on the next play caught a 10-yard touchdown that gave the Jaguars a 17-14 lead. "We had a concept on that we really liked," Lawrence said. "They ended up bringing Cover Zero, so I had to just basically retreat and throw it early to a spot. Jakobi did a great job. He had inside leverage, which wasn't great for the route he was running. He ended up beating the leverage, turning the guy around, shielding him off, and made a play. It was just good ball – being able to beat the Cover Zero (and) then him making a great play on the ball."
4. That's Strange. Tight end Brenton Strange has emerged this season as one of the Jaguars' best players. He reminded observers why quickly Sunday in his first game following a 5-game absence with a hip injury, keying the Jaguars' first possession – one that began at their 3-yard line. Lawrence on second-and-8 from the Jaguars 5 threw deep to his right to Strange, who made a sliding reception for a 30-yard gain and a first-and-10 at the 35. Running back Travis Etienne Jr. 2 plays later broke a 45-yard run to the Cardinals 15, with Lawrence passing 15 yards to Etienne on the ensuing play for a 7-0 Jaguars lead with 7:10 remaining in the first quarter. Strange led the Jaguars with five receptions for 93 yards Sunday, with Lawrence calling his return "huge," adding, "You see the big plays he made. Missed having him out there. We'll keep building on it. Obviously, it's the first week, but you see the impact he made and just keep continuing to get better."
5. Oh no. Turnovers hurt the Jaguars repeatedly Sunday, with Lawrence throwing 3 interceptions and losing a first-quarter fumble that Cardinals defensive tackle Walter Nolen III returned 7 yards to tie it 7-7 with 2:26 remaining in the first quarter. Safety Jalen Thompson blitzed and sacked Lawrence to force the fumble. One of Lawrence's 3 interceptions cost the Jaguars a touchdown, with former Jaguars defensive lineman Calais Campbell tipping pass to allow cornerback Garrett Williams time to intercept in the end zone and preserve a 14-10 Cardinals lead with 12:58 remaining in the third quarter. Safety Budda Baker intercepted Lawrence at the Jaguars 41 in the fourth quarter, with wide receiver Greg Dortch catching a 39-yard touchdown pass from Brissett 3 plays later to give the Cardinals a 21-17 lead. "Budda made an unbelievable play," Coen said, with Lawrence adding: "It's a team game. You can't ever make it all about yourself. Whether you're playing really well or you make some mistakes. I've learned that throughout my career, just keep playing."
