John Oehser
JACKSONVILLESenior writer John Oehser examines five key plays from the Jaguars'20-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in a 2025 Week 6 gameat EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville Sunday
1. One for three.The Seahawks essentially clinched victory Sunday with a 61-yard pass from quarterback Sam Darnold to tight end AJ Barner with 3:00 remaining, a play that gave them a first down at the Jaguars 12 and allowed them to kneel out much of the final two minutes. "He definitely got us on a few,"Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coensaid of Darnold, who completed 16 of 27 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns with two key 61-yard completions. "Ultimately, they had some timely play calls." But the biggest plays of the fourth quarter were actually the Jaguars' final three series all of which came with the Jaguars trailing by the final margin. The Jaguars' defense stopped the Seahawks repeatedly for much of the second half, but the offense produced just one first down on those three possessions while trailing by eight. The last Jaguars' offense play seemed fitting: Linebackers DeMarcus Lawrence and Uchenna Nwosu splitting the Seahawks' seventh sack of quarterback Trevor Lawrence on third-and-11 from the Jaguars 35 with 2:53 remaining. The Jaguars had opportunities Sunday. They just couldn't take advantage.
2. Back in it.After the Seahawks turned an early 6-0 deficit into a 20-6 lead, the Jaguars showed signs of a rally late in the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter. The Jaguars, after struggling much of the game against a strong Seahawks defense, drove 84 yards on 12 plays to cut the lead to a score whenTrevor Lawrenceavoided pressure and passed to veteran wide receiverTim Patrick, who caught the pass just behind the defense and turned the play into a 26-yard catch-and-run touchdown to cut the lead to 20-12 with 13:00 remaining. Running backBhayshul Tutenwas stopped short of the goal line on the two-point attempt.
3. Deep stuff.The first half quickly turned defensive and with big plays at a premium, the Seahawks' lone big play helped them control the second quarter. The Seahawks cut the Jaguars' lead to 6-3 early in the period, then took possession on their next series at their 39. Darnold on the first play of the series threw deep to wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who beat newly-acquired cornerbackGreg Newsome IIon a deep post for a 61-yard touchdown and a 10-6 Seahawks lead with 10:38 remaining in the second quarter.
4. Third-and-converting.The Jaguars took an early lead Sunday on a drive that featured multiple clutch conversions by Lawrence. The Jaguars took a 6-0 lead with 1:14 remaining in the first quarter when Lawrence found wide receiverBrian Thomas Jr.wide open for a 21-yard touchdown on which Thomas easily ran down the sideline into the end zone. Lawrence on the eight-play, 61-yard drive twice converted third-and-long situations. First, he found veteran tight endJohnny Mundtfor a 14-yard gain to convert third-and-11 from the Jaguars 38. He found Thomas three plays later for a 19-yard gain to convert third-and-16 from the Jaguars 39.
5. Big punt. Big cover.The Jaguars faced a mini-crisis early, one that was averted by a nice special teams play. The Jaguars, failing to manage a first down on their first series, faced fourth-and-23 at their five after shaky first drive that featured a sack and a holding penalty. Pro Bowl punterLogan Cooketurned in a high, hanging 61-yard punt that returner Tory Horton fielded at the Seahawks 30. RookieRayuan Lane IIIcontinued to be a standout in coverage, tackling Horton for a one-yard loss. The Jaguars forced a three-and-out and what could have been a short field for the Seahawks and a quick score remained a 0-0 tie.
