Jaguars overwhelm Jets from start to finish in 48-20 rout, reach 10 wins

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — This was Trevor Lawrence at his finest, a franchise quarterback making plays with his arm and his legs.

Not even longtime teammate Travis Etienne could recall Lawrence playing at such a high level — in college or the pros.

“I don't think I've ever seen Trev like this, and we won a national championship together," said Etienne, who played alongside Lawrence at Clemson. “He's on fire. You've seen it. ... The growth that I've seen from him is just unbelievable.”

Lawrence accounted for six touchdowns, including a career-high five passing, and the Jacksonville Jaguars overwhelmed the New York Jets from start to finish in a 48-20 drubbing Sunday that extended their winning streak to five.

Lawrence completed 20 of 32 passes for 330 yards and didn’t have a turnover for the third consecutive game. His passer rating of 136.7 was the best of his five-year NFL career.

“Definitely this is as confident as I've felt,” Lawrence said. "Just the feeling in our locker room and our team and our offense, it's been fun. We've got to continue to build on that and not get complacent.

“There's still a lot more ahead for us.”

Lawrence also ran for 51 yards and a score, a 15-yard scramble in the first quarter that helped set the tone. Lawrence rolled left, juked Will McDonald in the backfield and then scampered down the sideline.

Jacksonville (10-4) scored touchdowns on its first three possessions for the first time since 1998 and topped 40 points through three quarters for the first time since 2005. It was a drama-free day for the home team, which reached double-digit victories for just the second time in the last 18 seasons.

The Jets (3-11) allowed their most points since a 54-13 loss to New England in 2021 and prompted questions about coach Aaron Glenn taking over the defensive play calling from coordinator Steve Wilks.

“I brought Steve Wilks in for a reason, and I want him to run his system," Glenn said. "We have three games left, three games left for our guys to go out there and play. Right now, It’s not about the X's and O’s. Across the board, it’s about the character of the men on this team. And that’s what I’m evaluating.”

The Jaguars scored on the game's opening possession, and then the Jets lost 6 yards on a fourth-and-1 play that gave Jacksonville a short field. So the Jets trailed 14-0 before picking up a first down.

It was the worst possible scenario for Brady Cook, who the team said was the first undrafted rookie quarterback to start for the Jets since Bill Demory in 1973. Cook managed a souvenir, but not much else in the loss.

He connected with Adonai Mitchell for a 9-yard TD pass in the first quarter. Mitchell retrieved the ball and gave it to Cook on the sideline. It was one of the few highlights for the Jets.

“We felt ready to win this game," Cook said. "We all did. I did. Obviously, it’s disappointing.”

Cook completed 22 of 33 passes for 176 yards, with three interceptions. Breece Hall found little room against the NFL’s top rushing defense, finishing with 23 yards on 12 carries.

Mitchell finished with seven receptions for 69 yards.

Etienne was on the receiving end of three of Lawrence’s TD passes. His last came went 45 yards on a screen pass and ended with him performing a flip into the end zone.

“My hands have always been good,” Etienne said. “I feel like I've just been working in the shadows, catching balls and doing it in practice over and over again.”

Jets defensive lineman Khalen Saunders was ejected for making contact with an official during an extra point. Saunders, who spent the first two months of the season with Jacksonville before getting released in mid-November, got into a verbal exchange with several Jaguars offensive linemen and then started shoving everyone around him, including an official.

Jets: S Tony Adams (groin), S Isaiah Oliver (knee) and DL Eric Watts (concussion) were ruled out.

Jaguars: RB Bhayshul Tuten (finger) and DE Danny Striggow (ankle) left the game. Striggow was ruled out. ... Lawrence injured his right index finger in the first half and got it examined and taped on the sideline. Clearly, it wasn’t an issue.

Jets: play at New Orleans next Sunday.

Jaguars: play at Denver next Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Jacksonville Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) celebrates an interception against the New York Jets during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn looks on during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) looks on during the second half against the New York Jets an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen reacts after an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Jacksonville Jaguars safety Eric Murray (29) sacks New York Jets quarterback Brady Cook (4) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs with the ball against New York Jets defensive end Micheal Clemons (72) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) scores a touchdown against the New York Jets during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs with the ball against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The final images of the Kansas City Chiefs' postseason pursuit turned out to be Patrick Mahomes getting helped to the locker room, a white towel draped over his head, and backup quarterback Gardner Minshew throwing an interception to Derwin James that gave the Los Angeles Chargers a win over one of their biggest rivals.

It all happened in the final two minutes of their 16-13 victory Sunday.

Justin Herbert, playing through a broken left hand, had helped the Chargers take the lead with a second-half rally, but Kansas City got the ball back with one more chance. Mahomes was sprinting toward the sideline and throwing the ball away when he was spun to the ground by defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand, leaving the two-time MVP grabbing at his left knee.

“It didn't look good,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid acknowledged afterward.

Minshew took over and completed three straight passes, giving Chiefs fans hope on a day that began with wind chills near zero and their playoff chances about the same. But with 20 seconds to go, Minshew unloaded a pass for Travis Kelce, and James — his longtime divisional foil — leaped up to pick it off, allowing Los Angeles (10-4) to begin celebrating a second straight 10-win season.

Perhaps soon, a second straight postseason appearance.

“It’s a ball team. This is a ball team,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. "Starting to think this is my favorite ball team that I’ve ever been on. I’ve been on a lot of teams, none better than this team. It’s a ball team. A real ball team. Love these guys.”

“We know what that team has done the last eight, nine years,” James added. “Coming into Arrowhead Stadium and getting a win, it means a lot for out team, because we're 5-0 in our division.”

Reid said that Mahomes would undergo an MRI exam on his knee Sunday night or Monday, which would better reveal the extent of the injury. Regardless, it is likely that Minshew will quarterback the Chiefs through the final three games of the season.

One of them is a primetime showdown with the Denver Broncos on Christmas night.

“I’ll do whatever the coaches ask of me,” Minshew said, “and we’ll go try to win some games.”

The Chiefs (6-8) already are guaranteed to be watching the playoffs on TV for the first time since 2014, and Kelce was in no mood to talk about it. Just as he's done after several losses this season, the star tight end refused to answer questions from reporters.

“Sorry guys, it's not the time,” Kelce said.

The Chargers had beaten the Chiefs in their opener in Brazil, ultimately setting each club on its season-long trajectory.

Los Angeles arrived for the rematch Sunday trying to extend the momentum built in last week's win over the Super Bowl champion Eagles. The Chiefs showed up knowing a loss, coupled with the wrong results elsewhere, would eliminate them completely.

The Chiefs played appropriately inspired for most of the first half.

They moved swiftly downfield with Mahomes darting in from 12 yards out for a touchdown on their opening drive. They added a field goal later in the first half, and another by Harrison Butker gave them a 13-3 lead with 38 seconds left before the break.

That's when the Chargers started playing like a playoff-bound team. And the Chiefs like one that should be sitting at home.

Herbert completed three passes in five plays to cover 60 yards, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith's first career TD catch got the Chargers within a field goal. Cameron Dicker knotted the game on their opening possession of the second half, then he gave them the lead when he drilled a 49-yarder on a cold, windy day at Arrowhead Stadium with 2:40 to go in the third quarter.

The Chiefs tried to answer down the stretch, despite a rash of injuries that had left them with a patchwork offensive line. But just like so often this season, a promising drive went haywire in the red zone. Tyquan Thornton's spectacular catch was immediately forgotten when Mahomes' pass was picked off by Daiyan Henley on a jump ball thrown to Kareem Hunt at the goal line.

Mahomes, who had just 189 yards passing, would ultimately end the game in the Kansas City locker room.

The Chargers would end the Chiefs' postseason hopes with one more interception.

“I thought it was really cool that we were able to close out a one-score game like that, how many times we've played them and had one-score games,” Herbert said. “For the defense to come out there with the turnovers and stops, it was awesome to see.”

Thornton landed in the concussion protocol after his late 20-yard reception following a vicious hit by cornerback Tony Jefferson, who helped to trigger a mild midfield scuffle. Jefferson was ejected, and Henley and James had to push him toward the tunnel.

Chargers: WR Quentin Johnson (groin) was inactive. S R.J. Mickens left with a shoulder injury.

Chiefs: CB Trent McDuffie (knee) was inactive. Thornton (concussion protocol) and RT Jaylon Moore (knee) left and did not return.

Chargers: At Dallas next Sunday.

Chiefs: At Tennessee next Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley (0) intercepts a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets rid of the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

EDS NOTE: OBSCENITY - Los Angeles Chargers safety Tony Jefferson gestures before being ejected during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) and linebacker Drue Tranquill during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is checked on after being injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)