3 compelling stats from the Jaguars electrifying win vs. the Cowboys

2. The Jaguars averaged 7.1 yards per run vs. the Cowboys in Week 15

Trevor Lawrence had a productive outing against Dallas, completing 64.29 percent of his passes for 318 yards with four touchdowns and one interception but the Jaguars’ emphasis on running the ball also played a huge role in the win.

Establishing the run was always going to be a key to beating one of the best defenses in the NFL. After all, an effective running game was going to lessen the impact of the Cowboys’ pass rush and forced them to load the box more than they would’ve liked.

Although Travis Etienne lost a fumble early in the game — his second one in the last three weeks — the coaching staff didn’t lose their confidence in him and kept feeding him the ball with positive results. The former Clemson Tiger logged his first 100-yard game since Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

In Week 15, Etienne toted the rock 19 times for 103 yards, and return specialist Jamal Agnew chipped in 52 yards on three carries. Moreover, Trevor Lawrence and JaMycal Hasty added 34 more for a total of 192 yards and a 7.1-yard average per carry.

The Jaguars had had trouble establishing the run in previous weeks. Etienne got hurt against the Baltimore Ravens while Jacksonville had to stop running the ball once they started trailing the Detroit Lions. Similarly, the Jags’ had a favorable matchup through the air against the Titans’ defense. But against the Cowboys, they made it a priority to get Etienne involved and it paid dividends.