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3 takeaways from the Jaguars sweep over the Colts

3 takeaways week 17
Jaguarswire.com


The Jaguars swept the Colts with a 23-17 victory to improve to 12-4. While the game was much closer than many anticipated, the Jaguars were able to gut it out and get a hard-earned win. We saw some things that must be improved upon with the playoffs on the horizon, as well as some things that will carry them in these close games.

Liam Coen outcoached himself


Throughout the 2025 season, Liam Coen has rightfully received credit for how quickly he has turned around the Jaguars offense, and more specifically, Trevor Lawrence. What has gone under the radar, however, is Liam Coen's struggles with situational game management. Against the Texans and Cardinals, this was on full display, but after a 6-game win streak and a margin of victory of nearly 20 points per game, it is easy to forget about.

On the Jaguars opening drive, Trevor Lawrence was dealing, completing his first four passes before Liam Coen dialed up the now popular hook-and-ladder play, which resulted in Travis Etienne fumbling the pitch. Many have argued this was a good call that would have worked had Etienne not dropped the ball, while others have said that it was an unnecessary call. The truth lies in the middle. This was a play call that should have been called on a drive where the Jaguars could not move the ball or late in a close game, not on the first drive when the ball was being moved at will.

Later in the game, with the score tied at 17, Liam Coen went for it on fourth and one at the Colts 24-yard line. A classic case of being overaggressive cost the Jaguars 3 points in a half where, outside of one drive, the Colts could not move the ball. On the Jaguars final drive of the game, Liam Coen declined a penalty that would have given the Jaguars an automatic first down inside the Colts 40-yard line. Back-to-back false starts would make a 3rd and 1 now 3rd and 10 and out of field goal range. Luckily, Trevor Lawrence and Jakobi Meyers were able to get themselves out of this and go on to kick a field goal, but this should have never happened had Coen accepted the penalty.

Parker Washington has arrived


In back-to-back weeks, Parker Washington has dominated the game, becoming another security blanket for Trevor Lawrence. Against the Broncos and Colts, Washington combined for 14 receptions for 269 yards and a touchdown. With Brian Thomas Jr. attracting the best cornerbacks each week, as well as Jakobi Meyers receiving more attention, Parker Washington has stepped up, consistently catching passes down the field and getting yards after the catch. With Washington becoming a consistent threat at the right time, the Jaguars have three receivers that can change a game on any given week.

Trevor Lawrence can beat you multiple ways


During the Jaguars 5-game win streak heading into week 16, Trevor Lawrence had only been sacked 6 times, with three games where he was not sacked at all. In the past two weeks, Lawrence has been sacked 7 times, was pressured on 53% of his dropbacks in week 16, and was blitzed on 47% of his dropbacks in week 17. Despite this, Lawrence scored 6 total touchdowns with just 1 turnover in these two games.

Lawrence has shown he can play well in a clean pocket, but the big test for elite quarterbacks is how they handle pressure. Early in the season, Lawrence struggled, particularly against elite pass rushes such as the Rams, Seahawks, and Texans. Now, Lawrence is standing in the pocket, delivering passes as he is getting hit, rather than panicking and running or taking the sack. This is highly encouraging, as the Jaguars will likely have to face the Texans or Broncos to advance through the AFC. If Lawrence can still play well even against consistent pressure, the Jaguars can beat anybody.



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