Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 12 Game Report: OT Thriller in Arizona

In the NFL, Week 12 often marks the point where playoff races shift from “competitive” to “cutthroat”—and for the Jacksonville Jaguars, their Week 12 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals delivered the kind of high-stakes drama that defines the stretch run: Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 12 Game Report: OT Thriller in Arizona. Played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the game pitted two teams fighting for their playoff lives: the Jaguars (6-4) aiming to solidify their hold on a Wild Card spot, and the Cardinals (5-5) looking to climb back into the NFC race. What unfolded was a back-and-forth battle that featured lead changes, clutch plays, and a final overtime period that had fans on the edge of their seats. By the end, the Jaguars emerged with a 32-25 victory, but the win was far from easy—testing every aspect of their offense, defense, and special teams. For Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson, the game was a testament to his team’s resilience. “This is the kind of game that prepares you for the playoffs,” Pederson said postgame. “When things don’t go your way, you have to find a way to fight back—and that’s exactly what we did.”

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 12 Game Report: OT Thriller in Arizona began with a slow start for the Jaguars, who struggled to find their rhythm against the Cardinals’ aggressive defense. On their first three possessions, the Jaguars managed just 45 total yards and punted twice, while the Cardinals took an early 7-0 lead on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Murray to tight end Trey McBride. The Jaguars finally found their groove in the second quarter, thanks to quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who connected with wide receiver Christian Kirk for a 22-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7. But the Cardinals responded quickly: Murray led a 90-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard rushing touchdown, putting Arizona back on top 14-7. The Jaguars’ special teams then stepped up to swing momentum: kick returner Tank Bigsby returned the ensuing kickoff 45 yards to set up a 38-yard field goal from Brandon McManus, cutting the deficit to 14-10 at halftime. The first half was a study in contrasts: the Cardinals dominated time of possession (18:23 to 11:37) but the Jaguars showed flashes of their offensive potential, hinting at the fireworks to come in the second half.

The third quarter of Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 12 Game Report: OT Thriller in Arizona saw the Jaguars take control—if only briefly. Lawrence, who finished the game with 342 passing yards and two touchdowns, led a 75-yard drive on the first possession of the second half, capped off by a 1-yard rushing touchdown from Travis Etienne Jr. to give the Jaguars their first lead of the game, 17-14. The defense then forced a Cardinals punt, and the Jaguars extended their lead to 20-14 on a 42-yard McManus field goal. But the Cardinals refused to fold. Murray, who played through a shoulder injury to throw for 290 yards and two touchdowns, led a 80-yard drive that ended with a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marquise Brown, tying the game at 20-20 with 11:45 left in the fourth quarter. The back-and-forth continued: the Jaguars retook the lead on a 2-yard Etienne touchdown run (27-20), but the Cardinals answered with a 3-yard rushing touchdown from James Conner to tie the game at 27-27 with 2:12 left. The Jaguars had a chance to win in regulation, but McManus’ 53-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left as time expired—sending the game to overtime, where the drama reached its peak.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 12 Game Report: OT Thriller in Arizona reached its climax in overtime, and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense stepped up when it mattered most. The Cardinals won the overtime coin toss and elected to receive, but the Jaguars’ defensive line—led by edge rusher Josh Allen, who finished with two sacks and four tackles for loss—forced a three-and-out, giving the Jaguars the ball at their own 25-yard line. Lawrence then took over, leading a masterful 75-yard drive that showcased his poise under pressure. He completed passes of 15 yards to Kirk and 20 yards to tight end Evan Engram, moving the Jaguars to the Cardinals’ 10-yard line. On 3rd-and-5, Lawrence dropped back, scanned the field, and found Engram open in the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown—ending the game and giving the Jaguars a 32-25 victory. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the overtime win was a statement: it proved they could win in hostile environments, overcome mistakes (like McManus’ missed field goal), and rely on their star players when the game was on the line. “This win says a lot about our team,” Lawrence said postgame. “We didn’t quit, even when things didn’t go our way. That’s the kind of mentality you need to make a playoff run.”

Another key takeaway from Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 12 Game Report: OT Thriller in Arizona is the impact of the Jaguars’ depth, which kept the team in the game when starters faced adversity. Etienne, who rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns, left the game briefly in the third quarter with a minor ankle injury, but backup running back JaMycal Hasty stepped in and rushed for 45 yards, including a crucial 10-yard run on the Jaguars’ fourth-quarter touchdown drive. On defense, cornerback Darious Williams left the game with a shoulder injury, but backup Jarrian Jones held his own, breaking up two passes and limiting Brown to just 15 yards in the second half. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this depth is a product of their offseason strategy—signing reliable backups and drafting young talent—and it’s paying off in the stretch run. “Depth wins games in the NFL, especially in overtime,” said Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke. “We’ve invested in building a roster where every player can contribute, and tonight, that investment paid off. When starters go down, the next man up has to be ready—and tonight, they were.”

Looking ahead, Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 12 Game Report: OT Thriller in Arizona is a win that could shape the Jaguars’ season. With the victory, the Jaguars improved to 7-4, moving into the 5th seed in the AFC and extending their lead over the Cincinnati Bengals (6-5) and Houston Texans (6-5) in the Wild Card race. The win also gave the Jaguars momentum heading into a tough stretch of games: they face the Los Angeles Rams (7-4) and Baltimore Ravens (9-2) in the next two weeks, matchups that will test their ability to compete with the NFL’s top teams. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the overtime win in Arizona is more than just a single victory—it’s a confidence booster. It proved they can win close games, rely on their star players, and overcome adversity—all traits of championship-caliber teams. As the regular season enters its final month, the Jaguars know they have more work to do, but Week 12’s thriller in Arizona showed they have what it takes to make a deep playoff run. “This win is a step in the right direction,” Pederson said. “But we’re not done yet. We have to keep building, keep improving, and keep fighting—one game at a time.”