1 of 5 | Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (L) runs to score a go-ahead touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License Photo
The Jacksonville Jaguars hope Trevor Lawrence’s gritty game-winning score against the Kansas City Chiefs will be a season springboard, coach Liam Coen said.
Coen commented on the come-from-behind 31-28 victory Monday in Jacksonville, Fla. With the win, the Jaguars improved to 4-1, while the Chiefs dropped to 2-3.
The Jaguars trailed 28-24 with less than two minutes remaining. Lawrence responded by orchestrating a 7-play, 60-yard scoring drive, which he ended with a 1-yard touchdown run. Lawrence initially planned to throw the ball away when taking his final snap, but stumbled. He then darted left and slipped several tackles before diving into the end zone.
“It’s a goofy finish, but what a tough moment for him to be able to say he wasn’t going to lose, and that’s kind of really what it comes down to,” Coen said.
“He wasn’t going to lose and he made an unbelievable individual effort that hopefully can continue to springboard us.”
Lawrence completed 18 of 25 passes for 221 yards, a score and an interception. He also ran for 54 yards and two scores, including his game-winner.
The Chiefs held advantages of 476 to 319 in total yards and 26 to 21 in first downs and won the turnover battle, but also committed 13 penalties, compared to just four for their foes. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes completed 29 of 41 passes for 318 yards, one score and an interception. He also ran for 60 yards and a score.
“Obviously, it sucks,” Mahomes said. “You let a game slip away. It still sucks whenever you get a lead and you’re not able to hold it.”
Mahomes hit tight end Travis Kelce with a 2-yard touchdown toss on the Chiefs’ opening drive. The Chiefs forced a Lawrence fumble on the next possession and doubled their advantage with a Mahomes rushing score 4:16 into the second quarter.
Lawrence cut into the lead when he found Parker Washington with a 3-yard touchdown pass 2:38 before halftime. The Jaguars quarterback ran for his first rushing score of the night with 8:40 remaining in the third quarter, tying the game.
Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd went on to intercept Mahomes about six minutes later. Lloyd, who caught the ball at the Jaguars’ 1-yard line, proceeded to sprint left, avoiding a Mahomes tackle and scoring on a 99-yard return.
Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie intercepted Lawrence about two minutes into the fourth quarter. Running back Kareem Hunt scored on a 5-yard run about a minute later to tie the score.
Cam Little made a 52-yard field goal with 8:08 remaining to give the lead back to the Jaguars, but Hunt scored for a second time on the Chiefs’ next possession for another lead change.
Lawrence worked the Jaguars down to the Chiefs’ 14-yard line with less than a minute remaining. Chiefs safety Bryan Cook appeared to haul in a game-sealing interception on his next pass, but defensive back Chamarri Conner was called for pass interference, negating the turnover and giving the Jaguars the ball at the 1-yard line.
Lawrence caught the next snap, tripped and fell on the ground, but eventually regained his composure and found the end zone for the game’s final touchdown.
“I was just hoping no one was near me, when I got up,” Lawrence said. “I needed a second to get up and throw the ball away. … What a crazy finish.”
Mahomes and the Chiefs ran out of time on their final possession, resulting in their third loss in five weeks.
The Jaguars will host the Seattle Seahawks (3-2) at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday in Jacksonville. The Chiefs will host the Detroit Lions (4-1) at 8:20 p.m. Sunday in Kansas City, Mo.
