Duval Daily: Jags Collapse in Divisional Round

by JLawXV | 1 month ago | 0 Comments

Orchard Park, NY – The Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2025 season came to a heartbreaking end Saturday night, falling to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round. It was a cold, hard exit for a team that had shown flashes of brilliance all year, but one that, in many ways, marked the beginning, not the end, of a new era.

Trevor Lawrence, who had played poised football throughout the regular season, struggled under the lights. His three interceptions proved costly, two of which were converted into points by Josh Allen and the Bills' offense. It was a performance Lawrence will want to forget, but also one he can learn from as he continues to develop as the face of the franchise.

“We didn’t execute the way we needed to, and that’s on me,” Lawrence said in his postgame remarks. “But this team’s got fight. This team’s got something special brewing.”

And he's right. Despite the disappointing finish, the 2025 season offered a glimpse into a brighter future, one shaped by first-year head coach Liam Coen.

The Coen Effect

When the Jaguars parted ways with Doug Pederson last offseason and brought in Coen, there were skeptics. Was he ready? Would the team respond? Could he lead a locker room still reeling from a rocky 2024 campaign?

This season answered those questions with a resounding yes.

Coen revitalized Jacksonville’s offense, integrated new talent quickly, and fostered a culture that leaned into resilience and accountability. Under his leadership, the Jaguars finished 14–3 and won a Wild Card game against the Chargers.

He did this while navigating a young, evolving roster, and the pressure of a fan base hungry for postseason glory.

Bright Spots and Building Blocks

Though the loss stings, this season wasn’t without its milestones. Rookie standouts like middle linebacker Henry Hutton and halfback Kevin Posey gave fans a reason to believe. Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. emerged as a legitimate weapon, and the offensive line, despite injuries, showed signs of cohesion.

The defense, anchored by free-agent acquisition Jevon Holland, kept games competitive even when the offense sputtered. Coen’s fingerprints were evident in the team’s discipline, play design, and resilience throughout the season.

What Comes Next

The Jaguars now enter the offseason with clarity and momentum. With another year in Coen’s system, a maturing quarterback in Lawrence, and a young core on both sides of the ball, Jacksonville has every reason to believe that this was just the first chapter of something bigger.

“We’re not satisfied with just getting here,” Coen told reporters. “This group can go further, and we will.”

While the journey ends in Buffalo this year, the Jaguars return to Jacksonville as a team reborn. The loss may define the season, but it won’t define the future. Under Liam Coen, that future looks promising.