The Dallas Cowboys appeared to be close to achieving a feat that had eluded them for the previous 15 years: making the playoffs in consecutive seasons. However, thanks to their 40-34 overtime victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, they were forced to wait at least another week.
The Jacksonville Jaguars were down 27-10 when they went on a 30-7 run to seal the victory. Safety Dak Prescott’s pass was intercepted by Rayshawn Jenkins, who returned it 52 yards for the game-winning touchdown. It was Jenkins’ second interception of the year. The play was extremely important because after going three-and-out at the start of overtime, the defense needed to make a stop to salvage their offense.
First overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft quarterback Trevor Lawrence of the Jaguars had his best performance to date, completing 27 of his 42 passes for 318 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. Lawrence threw a touchdown on three consecutive drives, including a career-long 59-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Zay Jones, a 0-yard touchdown toss to wide receiver Marvin Jones, and a three-yard touchdown pass to Jones once more. This came after kicker Brett Maher’s 53-yard field goal made the Cowboys’ lead 27-10.
With the go-ahead passing touchdown to Zoy Jones that scored 31-27, Lawrence became the first Jaguars player with a passing touchdown on three straight drives since Blake Bortles in 2015. Jones’ three receivers.
Their touchdown eclipsed his two-season total from the first 14 weeks of the season and set a new career high. Since week 9, Lawrence has now completed 14 touchdown passes while throwing only one interception in his last six games, ranking him among the NFL’s most reliable quarterbacks.
Despite throwing two interceptions, Dallas’ Dak Prescott nearly played well enough to win. He completed 256 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-winning 13-yard pass to wideout Noah BROWN that gave the Dallas Cowboys a 34-31 lead with just over three minutes remaining in the contest. On the very next drive, Lawrence escaped pressure and sprinted down the field behind to knock the football loose. Naturally, linebacker Micah Parsons pounced on the football and turned the tide of the game in the Cowboys’ favor.
Somehow, the Jaguars’ defense came up with a huge three-and-out, getting Lawrence the ball back for one last chance trailing 34-31 with 1;13 to go and one timeout from his own 29. Lawrence came through, directing a seven-play drive that gained 41 yards and setting up Riley Patterson to convert a 48-yard range goal to tie the game and force OT.
Dallas’ defense wasn’t able to escape Jacksonville unscathed, as defensive lineman Dorrance Armstrong suffered a knee injury and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch suffered a neck injury. Dan Quinn, the defensive coordinator, will need to assemble one of the best coachings
Week 16 saw one of quarterback Jalen Hurts’ best performances of his career. Hurts play for the Philadelphia Eagles and is a possibility for NFL MVP.