Jaguars Grind Out Overtime Win as Coen Stresses Value of Results

The Jacksonville Jaguars walked into Week 12 knowing they had little margin for error. At 6–4 and firmly in the AFC playoff race, they could not afford a stumble against an Arizona Cardinals team eager to play spoiler. What followed was a tense, back-and-forth battle that tested Jacksonville’s composure, depth, and adaptability across four quarters and overtime.

For first-year offensive coordinator Liam Coen, Sunday offered more confirmation that his team is learning how to win close games. After a narrow 27–24 victory on the road, Coen made it clear that results—not aesthetics—drive the standards of a playoff contender. Even on a day when the Jaguars spent long stretches chasing momentum, he saw a team refusing to fold.

Coen didn’t gloss over the uneasy moments or the mistakes, but he emphasized the importance of securing the final outcome. “We’re not going to apologize for winning around here,” he said afterward. For a franchise working to distance itself from a turbulent 2024 season, the perspective carried weight.

The win pushed Jacksonville to 7–4 and kept pressure on the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts while boosting confidence ahead of another divisional test.

1. Trading Blows in a High-Stress Matchup

Jacksonville and Arizona spent much of the afternoon exchanging punches, with neither team able to establish meaningful separation. Each momentum swing seemed to be matched by an immediate response on the other side. For the Jaguars, the challenge was maintaining poise as mistakes and big plays stacked in quick succession. The decisive moment came in overtime, where Cam Little delivered the go-ahead field goal to cap Jacksonville’s opening drive of the extra period. It wasn’t an easy ask in a loud road environment, but Little’s kick provided the steady finish the game had lacked in regulation. Arizona had a chance to respond but failed to generate enough rhythm, resulting in a drive that stalled before it ever threatened to flip the outcome. The Jaguars’ defense, which had been inconsistent earlier, tightened when it mattered most. Though far from flawless, the performance reflected the team’s defining trait this season—an ability to recover quickly and deliver in key moments, even when the game becomes chaotic.

2. Offensive Highs and Lows Define the Afternoon

Trevor Lawrence’s outing was emblematic of the game itself: volatile, unpredictable, but ultimately productive. He completed 18 of 30 passes for 256 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions, blending sharp downfield strikes with costly misjudgments. His legs also contributed, adding five scrambles for 29 yards. Travis Etienne Jr. continued to serve as the offense’s stabilizer, leading the backfield with 86 rushing yards on 15 carries. His versatility showed up again with three receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown, helping Jacksonville keep Arizona’s defense off balance. Brenton Strange delivered a breakout performance, finishing with five receptions and a team-high 93 yards. His reliability over the middle of the field proved key during several critical possessions. Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers each added touchdown grabs, giving Lawrence a wide distribution of contributors. Despite the turnovers, Jacksonville’s offense generated enough explosive plays to survive a Cardinals defense that forced mistakes but struggled to contain sustained drives.

3. Playoff Implications and the Road Ahead

The win vaulted Jacksonville to 7–4, keeping them in second place in the AFC South behind the Colts and ahead of the Texans and Titans. In the wider AFC picture, the Jaguars sit sixth—holding ground over the Bills and Steelers while chasing the Chargers and Ravens. For Coen and the coaching staff, the victory represents more than a single result. It signifies continued progress in developing a team that can manage adversity and execute late in games, qualities essential in the stretch run of a playoff chase. With the offense showing flashes of balance and the defense delivering timely stops, Jacksonville remains positioned as a credible postseason threat. That confidence will be tested again soon, as the Jaguars stay on the road for a divisional matchup against Tennessee on Nov. 30. The journey forward remains challenging, but the Jaguars have shown they can navigate tight margins—and that may define their season.