Trevor Lawrence lamented the team not playing complementary football after last week’s loss to Chicago, but when it mattered most, Jacksonville put together its most complete quarter of the season.

As the clock ticked into the second quarter, the Jags trailed 10-0, rocking on their heels and seemingly ready to implode. But Jacksonville scored two offensive touchdowns, Parker Washington added a third with a punt return TD – the longest in team history and the first ever in London – and there was even time for a bully two-point conversion. The Jaguars’ 22 points were the fourth-most second-quarter totals in franchise history.

With the Patriots unable to stop Bigsby – who rushed for 114 yards on 26 carries and two TDs – and Lawrence looking like a franchise quarterback (his 58-yard completion to Thomas was a highlight reel), the turnaround was as complete as he was. was unexpected.

Equally important was the effort of the defense, which came up big when it mattered. The unit gave up 118 yards in the first quarter, but limited New England to 18 yards in the second.

All three elements turned the tide of the match – and showed that the team was not ready to quit this afternoon.

After back-to-back wins in London last season, the Jaguars split their games overseas this time. It means the flight back to Jacksonville is more enjoyable than a funeral.

But there is still a lot of work to be done after just a third win in the last thirteen games. Eschewing a bye on their return to the US, Jacksonville has a testing stretch ahead, with games against Green Bay, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Detroit and Houston, the latter after a bye in Week 12.

Still, the win means the Jaguars are 7-6 in England and the crowd of 86,651 was the highest in the history of the London Games, which have been taking place since 2007.

Although this was nominally a Jacksonville home game, what stood out was the large number of Patriots fans, who cheered on their team in numbers. — Peter Carline, London correspondent