The Jacksonville Jaguars ended an 18-game road losing streak Sunday afternoon, defeating the Los Angeles Chargers 38-10.
Both the Chargers and Jaguars came into this week three matchup with major implications. The Chargers, who came off a tough Thursday night loss to a divisional opponent in the Kansas City Chiefs, were looking to avoid a 1-2 record. Jacksonville, on the other side, came off an impressive 24-0 shutout victory over the Indianapolis Colts and was looking to build on that momentum.
The Chargers were without many top performers in this game with names such as Corey Linsley, JC Jackson, Kennan Allen, Joey Bosa (got hurt in the first half), and a comprised Justin Herbert who was a game-time decision.
Regardless of the circumstances, the Jaguars came out and took care of business by being the more physical team and simply outplaying the Chargers all afternoon.
Jacksonville started their first two drives with an early turnover on downs and a punt the following possession, before putting points on the board.
Defensive takeaways were the story early on for the Jaguars as they got both a fumble recovery and an interception that set them up with terrific field position. Jacksonville settled for three field goals and only converted on one first-half touchdown. That touchdown would be a 14-yard pass from Trevor Lawrence to Zay Jones for his first touchdown of the season. In the ensuing possession, the Chargers would drive 75 yards down the field and get a 15-yard touchdown to Mike Williams, cutting the score to 13-7. Jacksonville went 11 plays and 70 yards the next drive to take a 16-7 lead going into the half.
The Jaguars continued to play exceptional football in the second half and blew this game out of the LA waters. Excluding the kneel on the last play of the game, the Jaguars got a touchdown on all three drives in the second half. James Robinson ran 50 yards for a touchdown on an early second-half 4th & 1. Newly acquired Christian Kirk caught his third touchdown of the season, and veteran Marvin Jones Jr. got his first score of the season with a toe tap in the back of the endzone in the fourth quarter.
Trevor Lawrence continues to shine and improve in his second year with easily the best game of his young career. Lawrence completed 28 of 39 passes for 267 yards, three touchdowns, no turnovers, and had a QBR of 71.5.
Zay Jones had his best performance of the season with 10 receptions, 85 yards, and one touchdown. James Robinson had 100 yards rushing, one touchdown, and now has four total touchdowns on the season.
Rookie Devin Lloyd continues to impress as he registered seven tackles, and an interception, and three pass deflections versus the Chargers. Jacksonville’s defense is tied for first in the NFL with six interceptions, they are number one in turnover differential (+7), and are holding opponents to 12.7 PPG scoring.
The Chargers fall to 1-2 on the season and the Jaguars improve to 2-1 as they remain the number one seed in the AFC South, and the number two seed in the AFC (behind the 3-0 Miami Dolphins).
Jacksonville will look to continue their hot streak as they go on the road to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4. This will be Doug Pederson’s first game back in Philadelphia since he last coached the team in 2020.