Five Key Plays Define Jacksonville Jaguars’ Thrilling Win Over Cardinals

In the NFL, thrilling wins are often shaped by a handful of decisive moments—plays that shift momentum, swing scoring opportunities, and ultimately seal the outcome. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, their recent 31-28 victory over the Arizona Cardinals was no exception: five critical plays, spread across four quarters, turned a back-and-forth contest into a memorable win that kept their playoff hopes alive. Five Key Plays Define Jacksonville Jaguars’ Thrilling Win Over Cardinals isn’t just a recap of highlights; it’s a breakdown of how the Jaguars seized control when it mattered most, leveraging skill, strategy, and clutch execution to outlast a resilient Cardinals team. From game-changing interceptions to highlight-reel touchdowns, each of these plays told a story of a team refusing to fold—even when the Cardinals pushed back with their own offensive fireworks. For Jaguars fans, these moments weren’t just exciting; they were proof that their team has the grit to compete with any opponent in the league.

Five Key Plays Define Jacksonville Jaguars’ Thrilling Win Over Cardinals begins with a first-quarter interception that set the tone for the Jaguars’ defensive effort. With the Cardinals driving deep into Jaguars territory (first-and-10 at the 15-yard line) and looking to score the game’s first points, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray attempted a quick slant pass to wide receiver Marquise Brown. But Jaguars cornerback Darious Williams, who’d been shadowing Brown all drive, read the play perfectly—stepping in front of the pass, making a one-handed interception, and returning it 22 yards to the Jaguars’ 40-yard line. The interception didn’t just stop a Cardinals scoring threat; it gave the Jaguars’ offense excellent field position, which they capitalized on three plays later with a 45-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Lawrence to Calvin Ridley. This play was critical because it established the Jaguars’ defensive intensity early, sending a message that Murray and the Cardinals’ offense wouldn’t have an easy day. It also gave Lawrence and the offense a confidence boost, setting the stage for their own high-scoring performance.

Five Key Plays Define Jacksonville Jaguars’ Thrilling Win Over Cardinals includes a second-quarter goal-line stand that prevented the Cardinals from tying the game and preserved the Jaguars’ lead. After a 12-play, 75-yard drive, the Cardinals found themselves with first-and-goal at the Jaguars’ 2-yard line, trailing 14-7. On first down, Murray handed off to running back James Conner, who was met at the line of scrimmage by Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton and linebacker Foyesade Oluokun for a 1-yard loss. Second down brought another run—this time to the right—but Jaguars edge rusher Josh Allen wrapped up Conner for no gain, pushing the Cardinals back to the 4-yard line. On third down, Murray tried to scramble for a touchdown, but safety Andre Cisco chased him down from behind, forcing him out of bounds just short of the end zone. Facing fourth-and-goal, the Cardinals opted for a field goal, cutting the Jaguars’ lead to 14-10 instead of tying the game. This goal-line stand was a masterclass in defensive discipline: the Jaguars didn’t overcommit to the run or the pass, instead staying gap-sound and trusting their tackling. It also kept the Jaguars in front, maintaining momentum that would carry them through the rest of the half.

Five Key Plays Define Jacksonville Jaguars’ Thrilling Win Over Cardinals features a third-quarter touchdown run by Jaguars running back Travis Etienne that reclaimed the lead after the Cardinals had tied the game at 17-17. The play came on second-and-8 from the Cardinals’ 25-yard line, with the Jaguars offense struggling to find a rhythm after a long Cardinals scoring drive. Lawrence took the snap and faked a handoff to Etienne before rolling to his right, drawing the Cardinals’ linebackers toward the pass. But instead of throwing, Lawrence handed off to Etienne, who’d slipped through a gap in the offensive line created by left guard Ben Bartch and left tackle Cam Robinson. Etienne, using his speed and agility, broke a tackle from Cardinals safety Budda Baker at the 15-yard line and sprinted into the end zone for the touchdown, putting the Jaguars up 24-17. This play was a perfect example of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive versatility: they used a play-action fake to manipulate the defense, then relied on Etienne’s playmaking ability to capitalize. It also gave the Jaguars’ offense a much-needed spark, ending a 20-minute stretch where they’d scored just three points. For Etienne, who’d been held to 45 yards rushing in the first half, the touchdown was a turning point in his game—and in the Jaguars’ momentum.

Five Key Plays Define Jacksonville Jaguars’ Thrilling Win Over Cardinals includes a fourth-quarter interception by Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins that stopped a potential game-tying Cardinals drive and gave the Jaguars a chance to seal the win. With 5 minutes left in the game, the Cardinals were trailing 24-21 and driving deep into Jaguars territory, with first-and-10 at the 30-yard line. Murray dropped back to pass, looking for Brown on a deep post route, but Jenkins, who’d been playing zone coverage, read Murray’s eyes and broke toward the ball. Jenkins leaped in front of Brown, made a diving interception, and returned the ball 18 yards to the Jaguars’ 42-yard line—effectively ending the Cardinals’ best chance to tie the game. This play was a testament to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive preparation: the coaching staff had studied Murray’s tendency to force deep passes when trailing, and Jenkins was in the perfect position to exploit that. It also gave the Jaguars’ offense an opportunity to run out the clock, though they’d later score another touchdown to extend the lead to 31-21 before the Cardinals added a late consolation touchdown. For Jenkins, who’d missed the previous two games with an injury, the interception was a triumphant return—and a critical contribution to the win.

Five Key Plays Define Jacksonville Jaguars’ Thrilling Win Over Cardinals concludes with a late-game offensive series that saw the Jaguars run out the clock, ensuring they’d hold on for the 31-28 victory. After Jenkins’ interception, the Jaguars took over with 4:30 left and a 3-point lead, needing to convert a few first downs to keep the Cardinals’ offense off the field. On first down, Etienne rushed for 6 yards, picking up a key first down and moving the chains to the Jaguars’ 48-yard line. Two plays later, Lawrence connected with tight end Evan Engram for a 12-yard pass, another first down that pushed the ball to the Cardinals’ 40-yard line. The Jaguars then relied on Etienne and backup running back Tank Bigsby for three consecutive rushing plays, each gaining 4+ yards, to drain the clock down to 1 minute. By the time the Jaguars punted, the Cardinals had just 45 seconds left and no timeouts, making a comeback nearly impossible. This series showcased the Jacksonville Jaguars’ ability to play complementary football: the defense had given the offense a chance to win, and the offense responded with smart, disciplined plays to close out the game. It also highlighted Lawrence’s growth as a game manager—he didn’t force any risky passes, instead making safe, effective throws to keep the chains moving. In the end, these five plays weren’t just individual moments of brilliance; they were pieces of a larger puzzle that defined the Jaguars’ resilience, skill, and determination to win a game that mattered.