Lawrence comes up big on his birthday and leads the Jags to their 1st win, 37-34 over the Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws during the second... — Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. Credit: AP/John Raoux

By The Associated PressOctober 6, 2024 4:26 pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Trevor Lawrence threw for 371 yards and two touchdowns on his 25th birthday and put Jacksonville in position for a 49-yard field goal with 17 seconds left that gave the Jaguars their first win of the season, 37-34 over the short-handed Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Tank Bigsby ran for 101 yards and two scores for Jacksonville (1-4), which won for the first time since December and extended its home streak against division rival Indianapolis (2-3) to double digits. The Jaguars did so while wearing throwback uniforms on a day the franchise inducted retired coach Tom Coughlin into its ring of honor.

It was a much-needed victory for a team that was seemingly on the verge of unraveling. Lawrence and receiver Gabe Davis got into a sideline argument in the first quarter and had to be separated. That frustration followed a mid-week report that said coach Doug Pederson had lost the locker room.

Pederson and his players denied any discord and certainly will point to beating Indy as a potential turning point.

But the Colts played without several starters, including quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique), running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle), center Ryan Kelly (neck), cornerback Kenny Moore (hip) and defensive end Kwity Paye (quadricep).

Joe Flacco, a 39-year-old veteran who beat Jacksonville in Cleveland last season, made it interesting. Flacco completed 33 of 44 passes for 359 yards, with three touchdowns. He directed 42- and 45-second scoring drives to rally the Colts from a 14-point deficit.

But Lawrence ended up with the victory, ending a nine-game skid as a starter. He completed 28 of 34 passes, although he did throw his first interception of the season.

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) makes a touchdown... — Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) makes a touchdown catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. Credit: AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Lawrence connected with rookie Brian Thomas for an 85-yard touchdown in the second quarter and with Christian Kirk for 61 yards that set up another TD pass. Thomas finished with five receptions for 122 yards.

Rookie Cam Little nailed the field goal that sealed it.

Coughlin gets a teal jacket

The first coach in Jaguars history who was twice fired by the franchise, Coughlin was inducted into the Pride of the Jaguars at halftime. He donned a teal jacket as his name was unveiled inside the stadium.

Coughlin helped build the Jaguars from the ground up between 1995 and 2002. He led the expansion team to the AFC title game in 1996 and 1999.

He was fired at the end of his eighth season and went on to win two Super Bowls with the New York Giants. He returned to Jacksonville as a football czar in 2017 but was fired in his third season.

Coughlin was joined on stage by three fellow Pride members: Pro Football Hall of Fame left tackle Tony Boselli, running back Fred Taylor and receiver Jimmy Smith. Quarterback Mark Brunell and original team owners Wayne and Delores Weaver were not in attendance.

“I’m humbled. I’m very proud," Coughlin said. “For me, it’s never about the individual. It’s always about the team. And I really regret the fact that I could never just stand there for lack of time and read the first staff and the supporters and so on and so forth. I think you’d get a kick out of it.”