3 reasons Jaguars’ Week 18 win was the best of the season

3. The Jaguars have their quarterback of the future in Trevor Lawrence.

Trevor Lawrence’s 2021 numbers look horrible when you look at them without context. Heading into Week 18, he had just ten touchdowns and a league-worst 17 interceptions. Moreover, there was a post making the rounds on social media that made compared him and former NFL quarterback JaMarcus Russell. You know things are bad when a certified bust looks better than you. However, there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the Jaguars’ young passer.

Lawrence joined a team that was coming off a 1-15 season. Also, the Jags failed to adequately surround him with talent and had to carry them on his shoulders, which is fine when you’re a vested veteran, not so much when you are in a dysfunctional franchise and adequate supporting cast. Nevertheless, he showed in Week 18 why he was the top overall pick in 2021.

Before the game against the Colts, Lawrence had only had a multi-touchdown game in 2021 (Week 1 versus the Houston Texans). Also, he had turned the ball over at least once in 12 games. Week 18 was a whole different story, he threw two touchdown passes and didn’t turn over the ball once. Moreover, he completed a season-best 71.8 percent of his passes. Had his receivers not dropped a few passes, his statline would have looked even better.

The Jaguars’ brass should be ecstatic about Lawrence moving forward. His Week 18 performance should give them a reason to build around him in the offseason. If they do, there will be more games like the one against the Colts in 2022.