How the 4-1 Jaguars flipped the script and became playoff contenders: The story behind their 2025 resurgence

We're only five games into the 2025 NFL season, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have already matched last year’s win total. It’s a striking turnaround that begs the question: what changed - and what’s powering their resurgence?

Fresh off their most impressive result yet, a statement 31–28 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, I break down the key drivers behind the Jaguars' revival.

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Defense when it matters most

In 2024, the Jaguars’ defense was a liability, and the numbers tell the story of a unit that couldn't get off the field.

They managed just 34 sacks all year and gave up more explosive plays than any other team in football. As a result, they surrendered the second-highest yards per game and tied for 29th in most points conceded.

Fast forward to 2025, and while Jacksonville still isn’t lighting up the sack column, the transformation is clear.

The defense has surrendered only two passing plays of 40 yards or more, tightening up the deep coverage that burned them so often a year ago.

They still allow yardage in chunks, but when it counts, they hold firm - ranking eighth in the NFL in points allowed.

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Much of that turnaround can be traced to linebacker Devin Lloyd. Overshadowed by Foye Oluokun in Week 1, Lloyd has since emerged as the heartbeat of this defense.

His 23 tackles and three interceptions earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Month honors, and he continued that hot streak on Monday Night Football by intercepting Patrick Mahomes and taking it 99 yards to the house in one of the season’s defining plays.

Credit also belongs to the coaching staff. Head coach Liam Coen and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, both hired in January, have built a scheme that finally fits Jacksonville’s personnel, capable of stifling opponents and closing out games the way good teams do.

Ground game and offensive line consistency

Running back Travis Etienne is in the form of his career. The 26-year-old ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing yards and leads all running backs in yards per attempt (min. 50 carries).

No ground game succeeds without help up front. The Jaguars’ offensive line might not rank among the league’s elite in run-blocking grades, but continuity has been their secret weapon.

Through five games, Jacksonville has fielded the same five starters at all five positions - a rarity in today’s NFL and a key reason for their newfound rhythm on the ground.

Together, Etienne and his line have turned the Jaguars’ rushing attack into a genuine strength. Even Trevor Lawrence has joined the effort, using his legs more effectively and adding another layer of unpredictability to their offense.

Resilience and the ability to win close games

In 2024, the Jaguars couldn’t close games, going 3-10 in one-score contests. This year, they’re 3-1 in such games, a sign of a team that’s finally learned how to finish.

Even more telling is how they’ve handled adversity. Two of their four wins have come after trailing, proof of a resilience that didn’t exist a year ago. Their stunning victory over the Chiefs was not only the latest example, but also the best.

Down 14-0 early against one of the league’s best, Trevor Lawrence refused to let the moment overwhelm him. He put two interceptions behind him and placed the team on his back, using both his arm and his legs to drag Jacksonville back into the game.

With 25 seconds left, he powered into the end zone for the go-ahead score despite tumbling to the floor after his own offensive linemen stood on his foot.

That play didn’t just win the game; it encapsulated everything that has changed about this team.

Are the Jaguars for real? Can they make a playoff push?

In a word - yes. At 4-1, tied atop the AFC South with the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville has positioned itself as a legitimate contender.

What’s particularly impressive is that they’ve done it without everything clicking just yet. Lawrence and breakout 2024 rookie Brian Thomas Jr. are still finding their rhythm, while first-round pick Travis Hunter continues to settle into life at the pro level.

And on defense, Josh Allen has been dominant in everything but the box score after compiling 23 pressures and half a sack, a stat that he will surely correct soon.

The schedule ahead won’t be easy with matchups against the Seahawks and Rams looming large, but this isn’t last year’s Jacksonville team.

The 2025 Jaguars have a clearer identity, a steadier hand under pressure, and a growing belief that they belong in the postseason conversation.

If they can keep leaning into what’s working and patch the few holes that remain, a playoff berth is well within reach.