Jaguars Extend AFC South Lead With 42-7 Win
Jacksonville's dominant performance puts them three games ahead in the division after a rain-soaked victory over Indianapolis.
By Jenna Mitchell ·
The Jacksonville Jaguars secured a 42-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, extending their lead in the AFC South to three games. The win marks the 12th consecutive home victory for Jacksonville in the series and places the team in a divisional position not seen since 1999.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes during the contest. His first score came on a 98-yard drive to open the game, finding receiver Brian Thomas Jr. alone in the back of the end zone. Lawrence also connected with Bhayshul Tuten on a third-quarter screen pass and rookie Nate Boerkircher on a 31-yard reception in the first half.
The Jaguars built a 28-0 lead by the end of the second quarter. Running back Rayuan Lane returned an interception 92 yards for a touchdown with 10 seconds remaining in that half. Tuten added a 39-yard rushing score in which he broke three tackles. The offense finished with 183 rushing yards.
Indianapolis, currently 2-6, is in the midst of a major roster overhaul. The team traded defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and guard Quenton Nelson five days before the game. General Manager Chris Ballard was fired last month, and reports suggest the franchise is willing to trade running back Jonathan Taylor.
Taylor struggled against the Jaguars' defense, finishing with 23 yards on eight carries. He also fumbled on a botched trick play. Taylor had last rushed for more than 100 yards against Jacksonville in the 2024 regular season finale. "It's embarrassing. It's a butt whooping," Taylor said. "Went down there and they kicked our teeth in. That was an old-fashioned butt whooping. That's what's going to show up on the film."
Tuten recorded career highs in both rushing and receiving yards, totaling 104 and 55 respectively. "We knew it was going to rain," Tuten said. "We knew we were going to run the ball, and we just went out and imposed our will."
The Jaguars lost nose tackle DaVon Hamilton in the second quarter to what appeared to be a season-ending right knee injury. Hamilton was ruled out minutes after being taken to the locker room on a cart. Coach Liam Coen described the loss as "extremely, extremely difficult" and praised Hamilton as one of the better humans and competitors on the roster.
Lawrence completed 10 of 14 passes for 210 yards while wearing the franchise's new "Bold City" rivalry uniforms. The Jaguars have won their last seven regular-season home games, outscoring opponents 271-75 in those contests. "Good teams don't think about the division lead they have in November," Lawrence said.
Indianapolis has not won at Jacksonville since 2014. The 12-game losing streak includes a 2016 trip to London. Even during Jacksonville's worst recent seasons, including a one-win campaign in 2020, the Jaguars have defeated the Colts at home.
