Jacksonville Jaguars, Trevor Lawrence stumble into 31-28 win over Kansas City Chiefs

Jacksonville, do you believe in miracles? Okay, it wasn't quite that, but the team's win on Monday night changes everything.

Trevor Lawrence dropped back with about a minute to go, looked down the right sideline, and launched a perfect pass to Brian Thomas Jr.

The Pro Bowl wideout returned to form, making the snag for a 33-yard gain, the catalyst for the Jacksonville Jaguars' (4-1) go-ahead touchdown with 23 seconds left to snatch victory from the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-28.

Thomas had struggled the first few weeks with drops, but came up big when it mattered against the defending AFC champions.

Similarly, Lawrence himself made up for an early error as the game neared the end. On the game-winning touchdown play, Lawrence took the snap, he gets stepped on by right guard Patrick Mekari, stumbles and falls twice before getting back up to walk in for a one-yard touchdown.

The score gave Jacksonville its third and final lead of the game.

RECAP: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football

Jacksonville entered the game 6-10 all-time against the Chiefs, including 4-4 at home. The team had lost eight games in a row to Kansas City, including the team's AFC Divisional Round loss in the 2022-23 season. Their last win against the Chiefs came in 2009.

Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars offense up-and-down in loss

Jacksonville's offense was haphazard Monday night. After a forgettable first half, the team held steady in the second half but was unable to sustain enough drives to result in points.

The Jaguars mustered 162 net yards in the first half with Lawrence completing 9 of 13 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. Lawrence added 34 rushing yards in the first half. Lawrence later added a rushing touchdown to tie the game at 14-14 in the third quarter.

Lawrence's play was just as hit or miss as the offense as a whole. In the fourth quarter, Lawrence threw the ball, intending to hit Parker Washington short on the right side of the field, but was picked off by Chiefs corner Trent McDuffie. There appeared to be a penalty by the Chiefs on the play, but a flag was not thrown.

The cream of the crop came with just over 30 seconds remaining when Lawrence stumbled, got back up and walked into the end zone to give the team a lead.

Lawrence finished completing 18 of 25 passes for 221 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Lawrence added 10 rushing attempts for 54 yards and two scores along with the fumble.

Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs average 10.3 yards per play in first half

Jacksonville's defense wasn't as opportunistic in the first half against the Chiefs as it had been in the first four weeks of the season.

The team entered the game averaging three turnovers a game, but was unable to stop the Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes enough in the first half.

The Chiefs' QB completed 14 of 17 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown. The Chiefs averaged 10.3 yards per play, moving the ball for 236 total net yards on 23 plays in the first half.

Kansas City entered halftime with a 14-7 lead.

The Jaguars ultimately held Mahomes back in the second half. He finished completing 29 of 41 passes for 318 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Devin Lloyd ends Chiefs run with record-breaking pick-six

With the third quarter approaching an end, Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd made history for Jacksonville to give the franchise its first lead of the night.

Mahomes took the snap deep inside the Jaguars' red zone, intending to toss the ball to receiver Juju Smith-Schuster before Lloyd stepped in front of the ball at the 1 for the interception, then making multiple Chiefs players miss on his way 99 yards to the end zone.

The touchdown gave Jacksonville a 21-14 lead entering the fourth quarter. The return marks the longest interception return in franchise history.

Lloyd, the September AFC Defensive Player of the Month, becomes the fourth player in Jaguars history to record an interception in three consecutive games. The other players include previous Jaguars corners Darious Williams, Brian Williams and Rashean Mathis.

Parker Washington comes up big to put Jaguars on the board

The Jaguars struggled mightily on offense against the Chiefs in the first half. Though the franchise got a lot of yards, they were unable to convert their fortune into points on numerous occasions.

After going three-and-out on the team's first two possessions, netting 16 yards, Jacksonville finally drove the ball 59 yards down the field to the Kansas City one-yard line.

Still, the drive failed after Lawrence fumbled the football after attempting his vintage "Superman leap" over the goal line. The ball was poked out by K.C. linebacker Nick Bolton and recovered by Chiefs pass rusher George Karlaftis.

After a Chiefs touchdown — and 14-point swing — the Jaguars sprang back to life, scoring from three yards out on a Lawrence touchdown toss to receiver Parker Washington. Washington scored on a punt return a week prior against the 49ers.

Washington's touchdown gave Jacksonville some life, entering halftime down 14-7.

The Jaguars improved to 4-1 and remain on pace with the Indianapolis Colts (401) in the AFC South.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars defeat Chiefs 31-28 on Monday Night Football