The Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off a stunning 27-24 overtime victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona — not because they were healthy, but *despite* being decimated by injuries. Seven starters were inactive, including defensive end Travon Walker, wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., and cornerback Jourdan Lewis. Yet they won. Not just won — survived. Thrived, even. That’s the kind of grit that turns seasons around.
Playing With the Bench
The Jaguars’ inactive list read like a depth chart for the practice squad. Walker, out with a knee injury sustained in Week 11, hadn’t practiced all week. Thomas Jr. and tight end Hunter Long missed their third straight game. Offensive tackle Anton Harrison was sidelined for the second straight week. Lewis, nursing a neck injury, was out for the third straight game. Running back Cody Schrader was a healthy scratch — a curious move, given the team’s running game woes.
So who stepped up? Cornerback Jarrian Jones, a third-year player who’d spent most of the season on special teams, started in Lewis’s place. Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile didn’t hold back: "Yeah, he’s been really good for us. Like you said, just a lot of consistency in his play. I thought he played really well the other day and he’s a guy you can rely on. He’s been super locked in, serious in the meetings and out there on the field. He’s been really good as a communicator too. He’s definitely taking the strides we were looking for."
At defensive end, the Jaguars leaned on veteran Dawuane Smoot and rookies Danny Striggow and BJ Green — players who, as the team’s official report noted, "made big plays last week against the Chargers." They didn’t just make plays. They held the line. And when Trevor Lawrence threw three interceptions, they kept the game alive.
Cardinals’ Offense Crumbled — Even With Four Takeaways
The Cardinals’ defense did its part. Four turnovers. A goal-line stand. A fourth-quarter stop that had the home crowd roaring. But their offense? It didn’t just sputter — it collapsed.
Starting right tackle Jonah Williams was already out for the season. During the game, guard Will Hernandez left with a back injury, leaving quarterback Brissett with a patchwork line. The result? Six sacks — to one of the league’s worst pass rushes. Seven penalties for 53 yards. Just 55 total rushing yards (2.8 per carry). The offense looked like a team playing with broken tools.
Head coach Jonathan Gannon didn’t point fingers at his players. He took responsibility. "Hindsight is 20-20," he said after the game, referring to Brissett’s fourth-and-four decision in overtime. "But at the time, the reads were there. Double coverage? Yeah. But we had the play called. We believed in it."
He added: "We had multiple opportunities to win the game. This isn’t a scheme problem. It’s a fixable issue. We’re not broken. We’re just not executing." That’s a coach trying to keep morale alive — and maybe, just maybe, a signal that changes are coming.
Why This Win Matters More Than the Record
The Jaguars improved to 6-5. Not a playoff lock. Not even a sure thing. But they’re now 3-1 in games decided by 7 points or fewer. They’re winning with backups. With injuries. With zero margin for error. That’s not luck. That’s culture.
Compare that to the Cardinals. Five straight home losses. The most heartbreaking, according to Burn City Sports, of their entire losing streak. They had the ball in overtime. They had the defense. They had the crowd. And they couldn’t move the ball 10 yards on four plays. That’s not just bad luck. That’s a system in crisis.
What’s Next? The Ripple Effect
The Jaguars face the Tennessee Titans next week — a team with a top-10 defense and a physical running game. If Travon Walker can’t return, the front seven will need more from Smoot and the rookies. But if Jarrian Jones keeps playing like this, the secondary might not just survive — it might become a strength.
For the Cardinals, the clock is ticking. Gannon’s patience with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing is being tested. The offense has scored 17 or fewer points in four of their last five games. With a trip to Seattle looming, and the playoff picture growing murkier by the week, the next two weeks could decide whether Gannon’s "fixable issue" becomes a full-blown rebuild.
Behind the Numbers: The Real Story
- Jacksonville’s win was their first in Glendale since 2018 — ending a five-game road losing streak to Arizona.
- Lawrence threw three picks but still posted a 91.5 passer rating — his highest in a loss since Week 4.
- Arizona’s 55 rushing yards were their lowest since Week 3 of 2024.
- Jarrian Jones played 78 snaps — the most of his career — and allowed just one catch on five targets.
- The Cardinals’ defense forced four turnovers but scored zero points off them — the first time that’s happened to them this season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Jaguars win with so many injured starters?
The Jaguars won because their backups stepped up in critical moments. Cornerback Jarrian Jones held his own against Arizona’s top receivers, while defensive linemen Dawuane Smoot and rookies Danny Striggow and BJ Green combined for three sacks and five pressures. Even with Trevor Lawrence throwing three interceptions, the defense held the Cardinals to field goals in two red zone opportunities, and the special teams unit blocked a punt that led to a touchdown. It wasn’t pretty — but it was enough.
Why is this loss so damaging for the Cardinals?
This was their fifth straight home loss — the longest such streak in franchise history since 2013. They had the defense to win, forcing four turnovers, yet managed only 24 points. Their offense has now failed to score 20+ points in six of seven games. With key players like Jonah Williams out for the year and Will Hernandez sidelined, the offensive line is unraveling. If they don’t fix this soon, their playoff hopes are officially dead.
What does this mean for Trevor Lawrence’s future?
Lawrence’s three interceptions were his most since Week 1 of 2024, but his overall performance — 275 yards, 2 TDs, and a 91.5 rating — showed he’s still capable of carrying the offense under pressure. The Jaguars’ coaching staff has publicly backed him, and his ability to lead two fourth-quarter drives despite a shaky offensive line suggests his leadership is growing. The issue isn’t his talent — it’s his protection. If the offensive line doesn’t improve, even his best throws will be wasted.
Is Jarrian Jones now the Jaguars’ starting cornerback?
With Jourdan Lewis out indefinitely due to his neck injury, Jones has earned the job. He played 78 snaps in Week 12 — a career high — and allowed just one catch on five targets. Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile called him "a guy you can rely on," and the coaching staff has already begun installing him as the starter in base packages. If he continues this level of play, the Jaguars may not need to make a trade deadline move at cornerback.
What’s the outlook for the Cardinals’ offense moving forward?
The outlook is bleak unless they make changes. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s play-calling has been overly predictable, especially in the red zone. With Jonah Williams gone and Will Hernandez questionable, the line is a liability. They’ve averaged just 3.1 yards per rush over the last four games. If they don’t add depth via trade or activate a healthy player like rookie guard Luke Wattenberg, their offense may remain stuck in neutral — and their season could end in January with zero playoff contention.
Could this game be a turning point for the Jaguars?
Absolutely. Winning a game like this — with seven starters out, against a divisional rival, in overtime — builds belief. The team’s locker room is tighter than ever. Players are stepping into roles they never expected. And if they can beat the Titans next week, they’ll be just one game out of a playoff spot. This isn’t just a win. It’s proof they can win when everything’s against them. That’s the kind of momentum that carries teams deep into January.
Written by Lucan Silvers
View all posts by: Lucan Silvers