JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser examines five big plays by the defense that helped define the Jaguars' 2025 AFC South Championship season.

1. Ninety-nine yards. Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd earned Associated Press second-team All-Pro honors in 2025 – and while he earned those with a slew of big plays, none resonated quite like a huge play in the Jaguars' lone prime-time game of the season. Lloyd, the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for September, began October with his biggest play of the season to date by returning an interception off Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes 99 yards for a touchdown that helped the Jaguars to a 31-28 home victory over the defending AFC Champions. Lloyd's play gave the Jaguars a 21-14 lead with 2:19 remaining in the third quarter. "I picked up a couple of blocks, which was really big," Lloyd said. "I don't know if I would have made it if I didn't get those. I'm grateful for everybody helping me get to the end zone." Lloyd broke two tackles on the play, avoided a would-be tackle by tight end Travis Kelce and got a clinching block on the sideline from defensive end Josh Hines-Allen. "He didn't have nothing to say," rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter said of Lloyd after the play. "He was too tired."

2. Hands up. The Jaguars needed a clutch play late in a Week 9 30-29 overtime road victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. They got it from nose tackle DaVon Hamilton, who batted down Raiders quarterback Geno Smith's two-point conversion pass with :16 remaining in overtime. The play came one play after Smith's fourth touchdown pass of the game and third to tight end Brock Bowers – this one a two-yarder – pulled the Raiders to within the final margin. Smith appeared to have an open receiver in the back of the end zone on the conversion attempt, but Hamilton got his hands up and knocked down the pass to preserve the victory and snap the Jaguars' two-game losing streak. "I heard it," Hines-Allen said. "I heard the 'Doonk.' I turned around and the ball was on the ground … Jags win."

3. Takeaway time. The Jaguars' defense forced three turnovers in a 17-10 Week 3 home victory over the Houston Texans. All came in the fourth quarter, with the biggest coming after the Texans drove from their 26 to the Jaguars 28 with :27 remaining. On third-and-1 from there, Hines-Allen hit Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud as he threw. Safety Antonio Johnson intercepted the deflected pass at the Jaguars 4-yard line with :20 remaining. "Being in that situation was just like, 'We got to take it, we got to get it,'" Hines-Allen said. "No matter the situation, they weren't going to score. That was our mentality: 'They're not scoring. They can drive the field, whatever they want to do, they're not scoring.' We just made a play and Antonio was in the right spot, being where he's supposed to be and took advantage of the opportunity." Said Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen, "I was probably a little frustrated [during the drive] and Campy (defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile) is like, 'Dude, we got it. Relax.' It was great. It gave me confidence. There's no flinch out of that group.''

4. Big game, big D. Two huge defensive plays keyed the Jaguars' 36-19 Week 14 home victory over the Indianapolis Colts, a victory that gave them an AFC South lead they never relinquished. The first key play on this day came from Lloyd, who intercepted Colts quarterback Daniel Jones on Indianapolis' first possession to give the Jaguars a first down at the Colts 21. Running back Travis Etienne Jr.'s 3-yard run on second-and-goal gave the Jaguars a 7-0 lead with 10:39 remaining in the first quarter. "Our defense did an unbelievable job again creating turnovers, and we were able to take advantage of them," Coen said. The Jaguars then led 21-10 when the Colts faced fourth-and-1 at the Jaguars 44 with 1:50 remaining in the second quarter. Defensive end Travon Walker stuffed Colts running back Jonathan Taylor for a 1-yard loss. "Very proud of Travon," Coen said of Walker, who had missed the previous two games with a knee injury. "I know he's been chomping at the bit to get back out there and go put it on tape. That's what he's been trying to go He stayed consistent. He worked his tail off from a rehab standpoint and was able to go out there and make a difference for us today."

5. Jones again and again. Nickel cornerback Jarrian Jones became a big-play player late in the season, making critical plays in back-to-back late-season victories. Jones' fourth-quarter interception helped the Jaguars secure a 34-20 Week 16 road victory over the Denver Broncos. With the score tied 17-17 midway through the fourth quarter the following week, Jones cut in front of Colts wide receiver Josh Downs to intercept quarterback Philip Rivers at the Colts 34. Jones returned the interception 13 yards to the Colts 21, barely missing a touchdown when Downs tackled him at the ankles. "I knew the look that we were giving," Jones said. "My instincts kind of took over on the play. I just timed it right." Kicker Cam Little's 42-yard field goal on the ensuing drive gave the Jaguars a 20-17 lead with 6:58 remaining in a 23-17 road victory. "He has earned so much trust from not just the players, his teammates, but coaches, staff," Coen said of Jones. "Every time he's out there, you just feel him."