Birthday boy Trevor Lawrence leads Jags to thrilling win over Mahomes, Chiefs

By Hays Carlyon

All that was missing was legendary ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman belting out the funny “Whoop, Whoop” sound effects.

Let’s set the scene.

Chiefs 28, Jaguars 24.

The Jaguars are at the Kansas City 1-yard line with 30 seconds to play.

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence gets stepped on by right guard Patrick Mekari as he takes the snap from center. Lawrence stumbles and then falls to the ground. No Chiefs player is around him. As he gets up, he stumbles again. Still, no Chiefs around.

Lawrence finally regained his balance and ended up running for the most improbable 1-yard touchdown scamper you will ever see.

Not pretty. Far from graceful. But incredibly beautiful.

You couldn’t believe it if they put it in a movie.

Jaguars 31, Chiefs 28.

Final.

Your team did it. Your team beat the Chiefs.

Your team beat Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce and Chris Jones and Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo.

What a way to celebrate your 26^th birthday, Trevor!

Lawrence was incredibly shaky to start the game. He fumbled a sneak at the Chiefs 1 that Kansas City recovered. He threw a pass after he was 2 yards past the line of scrimmage.

But man, what resiliency. By Lawrence, who made one of the best throws you will ever see on the game-winning drive, and by a Jaguars team (4-1) that has already matched last year’s win total.

Lawrence found receiver Brian Thomas Jr. on a 33-yard beauty down the right sideline. The throw was perfectly placed between two Chiefs defenders. It’s high on the list of best throws he’s had as a Jaguar.

Lawrence also utilized his mobility, carrying 10 times for 54 yards and two touchdowns. He led the team in rushing.

The defense once again came up with a critical turnover. Linebacker Devin Lloyd, the reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Month, intercepted Mahomes and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown. Only in a game this wild could that not be the craziest play of the night.

The Jaguars beat the Chiefs (2-3) in a game that featured four lead changes in the fourth quarter. This was a big-boy win. The first win over the Chiefs since 2009. Just like last week’s victory in San Francisco was a big-boy win, the first over the 49ers since 2005.

Remember, this is the hard part of the schedule. The Jaguars are 2-0 in a four-game stretch that now sees Seattle come to Jacksonville on Sunday and then a London date with the Los Angeles Rams.

Then, the schedule eases up. There are still games left against the Raiders, Cardinals, Jets and two with the Titans.

This was a special night. Liam Coen appears to be a special coach.

Lawrence took a big step. This is the kind of night that can propel a quarterback to a higher level of consistent play. I mean if rallying from a 14-0 deficit to beat Mahomes on Monday Night Football doesn’t boost confidence what will?

Graceful? No.

Beautiful. Yes.

Thank you, Trevor: for giving us a night that we will remember for a long time.

Happy 26^th birthday.

(You can email Hays at [email protected] and follow him on X/Twitter @HaysCarlyon).