Behind a dominant run game and big plays from the defense, the Jacksonville Jaguars dealt the Los Angeles Chargers an embarrassing 35-6 loss on Sunday.

Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence was steady through most of the game, completing 14 of 22 passes for 153 yards. He threw a touchdown, ran for a touchdown and threw one interception. Running back Travis Etienne scored two rushing touchdowns on 19 carries and 73 yards. RB Bhayshul Tuten also scored a rushing TD before he exited the game in the second half with an injury.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who had to go to the blue medical tent shortly before halftime after taking a big hit, struggled throughout the game and threw an ugly interception early in the fourth quarter. Herbert finished 10 of 18 for just 81 yards. He was eventually pulled for backup Trey Lance when the Jags held a 35-6 lead.

Crash and burn

This is a burn-the-tape game for the Chargers. One week after coach Jim Harbaugh applauded his team’s physicality in a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Chargers were dominated in the trenches. On offense, they could not run the ball and they could not protect Herbert. On defense, they failed repeatedly to slow down the Jaguars’ rushing attack. Jacksonville was able to march down the field on multiple drives by simply handing the ball off. The Jaguars had an 11-play drive in the third quarter. They had a 16-play drive in the fourth quarter. The Jaguars finished with 192 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. The Chargers did not bring the necessary physicality along the front defensively.

Harbaugh will, of course, be displeased with the score. He will be even more displeased with how the Chargers lost this game. They were bullied on the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and the pain from this loss will linger as the Chargers head into their bye week. — Daniel Popper, Chargers beat writer

Jags offense wakes up

The struggling Jaguars offense found its groove against what had been a really solid Chargers defense, particularly over the previous three weeks. Jacksonville entered this game ranked 31st in offensive expected points added per play since Week 6. In particular, it had struggled to protect quarterback Lawrence, who had faced the highest pressure rate in the league since Week 6.

But on Sunday, the Jaguars scored five touchdowns. They built the game plan around the running game. That prevented the Chargers’ pass rush from impacting the game. Tuten had 74 yards. Etienne had 73 yards. Outside of an interception in the second quarter, Lawrence managed the game well. A get-back-on-track game for play caller Liam Coen, who has now battered Chargers coordinator Jesse Minter’s defense in two straight seasons. (The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense, with Coen calling the plays, put up 40 points on the Chargers in 2024.) — Popper

Hits keep coming at Herbert

In a season full of massive hits, Herbert took what appeared to be his biggest hit of the season late in the first half. Jaguars defensive lineman B.J. Green II beat right tackle Trey Pipkins III off the edge on a fourth down. Green leveled Herbert in the backfield for a sack. The refs called roughing the passer. Herbert briefly went into the medical tent as the Chargers punted. Herbert returned for the second half, but he was clearly not right, as evidenced by an overthrown interception in the fourth quarter. Chargers receiver Ladd McConkey was wide open on an over route, and Herbert airmailed the pass.

The Chargers have been piecing together their offensive line all season. On Sunday, they featured a new starter at left tackle in Trevor Penning, who struggled in pass protection. Herbert has been the most-hit quarterback in the NFL this season. He took another beating Sunday. At least now he will have two weeks to rest before the Chargers play their next game.  — Popper