hThe powerful have fallen. The New England Patriots, a name that once struck fear into the hearts of the opposition, can now only attack if their delicate defense allows them to fight back. The Jacksonville Jaguars crumbled thanks to a brilliant backup running back from Bigsby for an impressive 32-16 victory. He can now move up the depth chart permanently after punishing the Patriots for two touchdowns and 118 yards rushing.
It's no surprise how smart quarterback Trevor Lawrence was, although the former No. 1 overall pick played enough with one touchdown, interceptions and 193 passing yards, but how easy it was after the Patriots took the lead. Jacksonville was able to do whatever it wanted, while the Patriots defense waved the white flag in a loss that ended their season at 1-6. By contrast, the 2-5 Jags' postseason chances are slim on paper, but they're not over yet. Of the 163 cases in which a club has gone 2-5 after seven games since 1990, 10 have advanced to the playoffs.
Lawrence's counterpart, rookie QB Drake Maye, in his second start, avoided turnovers while throwing short passes that defied the risk of moving the chains during Jacksonville. The Bears' action at Tottenham last week looked even smarter when the defense allowed Jamical Hasty to move in to score and kick a field goal.
The Patriots were cruising along, until the Jags figured out that a simple offensive scheme full of screen passes would give New England a pass. Jacksonville adjusts with stifling pass coverage to stack the line of scrimmage and force any easy Maye gains. It's up to you, Trevor.
Under the scoreboard pressure and the tremors of a rapidly sinking season, Lawrence shrugged. A 24-yard dart to Christian Kirk on Jacksonville's second drive set the wheels in motion for a comeback that the Patriots couldn't control. Bigpsy and D'Ernest Johnson replaced the injured Travis Etienne and repeatedly stabbed New England's underbelly.
One quick punt later and Lawrence sent the flaming spear into the heart of New England with a massive 58-yard pass. An incredible catch by Thomas came under intense pressure from cornerback Christian Gonzalez and showed why the star receiver was so coveted by the Jaguars in the draft. “I know I'll be open,” Thomas said. Bigsby was open as he ran through the backfield while allowing an over-the-barrel catch for a one-yard score. A lead reduced in just six plays.
Jacksonville's brick wall held firm as Parker's inevitable punt sailed toward Washington's preferred spot. He went for what others called a fair catch to make the longest punt return in Jaguars history. A 96-yard touchdown run by Washington Patriots special teams defenders in a swirl of black and teal. The lethargy of the patriots summed up by Washington – “They didn't want to negotiate, so I ran past them” – was evidently so pervasive that, not content with making a single great gift, they saw fit to offer another as punishment. . The Jags were held scoreless by 23 points at the end of the quarter after switching from Lawrence to Thomas.
As the second half began, Jax rallied with an early field goal from Sly. The lead grew, but it represented a significant improvement for New England after allowing three consecutive touchdowns before halftime. The defense saw a crucial fourth-down stop near their goal line to keep the Patriots' sizable fan base interested.
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The game may have been a fantasy home game for the Jags, but the roar that erupted when Maye sent a 33-yard rainbow pass to Keyshon Botte was the loudest of the day. Until a guttural roar greeted Maye's second pass, this time to KJ Osborne. With a one-point deficit in sight, the comeback, a two-point conversion, left them nine points behind with eight minutes remaining in an unrecoverable position.
Bigsby will have a good afternoon at the end for Jacksonville's offense. If Lawrence and the Jaguars can catch this lightning in a bottle, there will remain a glimmer of hope in a very unlikely playoff run this season.
