When fans look back at the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Detroit Lions match, the 52–6 final score jumps off the page — but the box score and individual player stats tell an even deeper story. Played on 17 November 2024, at Ford Field in Detroit, this game was a showcase of the Lions’ offensive execution and a long, frustrating afternoon for the Jaguars on both sides of the ball.
Match Context and Final Score Overview
The Detroit Lions rolled to a dominant 52–6 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, controlling every phase of the game from the second quarter onward. Jacksonville briefly led 3–0 after an early field goal, but Detroit responded with 52 unanswered points, scoring touchdowns in every quarter and moving the ball almost at will.
By the end of the night, the stats reflected just how one-sided it was: Detroit piled up 645 total yards compared to Jacksonville’s 170, racked up 38 first downs to the Jaguars’ 10, and went a perfect 5-for-5 in the red zone. Time of possession heavily favored the Lions, who held the ball for over 39 minutes.
Jared Goff Leads an Explosive Lions Passing Attack
The headline performance of the game belonged to Jared Goff, who delivered one of the most efficient passing displays of the season. Goff completed 24 of 29 passes for 412 yards and four touchdowns, with no interceptions and no sacks taken. His average of 14.2 yards per attempt illustrates just how aggressive and successful Detroit was in pushing the ball downfield.
Backup quarterback Hendon Hooker even got in on the action late, completing 3 of 4 passes for 37 yards, helping the Lions finish with a combined 27-of-33 passing line for 449 yards and four touchdowns. It was the kind of game where the offense was so in rhythm that the starter could rest in the fourth quarter.
Mac Jones and a Struggling Jaguars Passing Game
On the other side, the Jaguars’ passing game never really found its footing. With Mac Jones starting at quarterback, Jacksonville relied heavily on short throws underneath and quick reads, but the Lions’ defense kept almost everything in front of them.
Jones finished 17 of 29 for 138 yards, averaging just 4.8 yards per attempt, with no touchdowns and one interception, and he was sacked once for a 9-yard loss. His efficiency metrics reflected Jacksonville’s struggles to sustain drives or create explosive plays.
Receiving Standouts: Amon-Ra St. Brown and Brian Thomas Jr.
This matchup featured two standout receivers — one from each team — who clearly emerged as focal points.
For Detroit, Amon-Ra St. Brown was unstoppable. He hauled in 11 receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns, with a long of 27 yards, catching all 11 of his targets. St. Brown was everything for the Lions’ passing game: a reliable chain-mover, a red-zone weapon, and a big-play threat.
Detroit’s vertical threat, Jameson Williams, also made a significant impact with limited touches, recording four catches for 124 yards and a 64-yard touchdown that blew the game open in the third quarter.
For Jacksonville, rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was a bright spot on an otherwise tough day. He led the Jaguars with five receptions for 82 yards, averaging 16.4 yards per catch and showing his ability to threaten downfield. Tight end Evan Engram added five catches for 28 yards, mostly on short routes.
Rushing Attacks: Lions Dominate the Ground Game
The rushing stats tell a similar story: Detroit controlled the trenches while Jacksonville struggled for every yard.
David Montgomery powered the Lions’ ground attack with 15 carries for 75 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs added 11 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown, including a 23-yard burst.
Detroit finished with 43 carries for 196 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, averaging 4.6 yards per carry — a balanced complement to their passing success.
Jacksonville’s ground game never got going. Travis Etienne Jr. was held to 27 rushing yards on 12 carries, just 2.3 yards per attempt. As a team, the Jaguars had only 17 carries for 41 yards, averaging 2.4 yards per carry with no rushing scores.
Team Stats: A Lopsided Box Score
Detroit outgained Jacksonville 645 to 170 in total yards and nearly doubled them in passing yards while dominating the rushing battle.
The Lions converted 6 of 10 third downs and went 3-for-3 on fourth down, while the Jaguars managed just 2 of 10 third-down conversions. Detroit’s 38 first downs dwarfed Jacksonville’s 10, and the Lions controlled time of possession 39:06 to 20:54.
Turnovers were limited — Jacksonville threw the only interception of the game, while Detroit played clean football with no interceptions and no fumbles lost.
Defensive Performances and Impact Players
Despite the score, a few individual defenders stood out.
For Jacksonville, linebacker Foyesade Oluokun led the defense with nine tackles. Cornerback Tyson Campbell added eight tackles, and several others — Devin Lloyd, Andre Cisco, and Darnell Savage — contributed five tackles each.
However, the Jaguars’ defense produced no sacks or takeaways. They didn’t register a single interception and struggled to disrupt Goff or Detroit’s offensive line.
On Detroit’s side, linebacker Jack Campbell led with nine tackles, while Brian Branch contributed 7. Za’Darius Smith registered half a sack, and the Lions as a whole recorded one sack, three tackles for loss, and two passes defended. Safety Kerby Joseph came away with the game’s only interception.
Special Teams: Cam Little and Jake Bates Deliver
Jacksonville found its only success on special teams. Rookie kicker Cam Little made both of his field goal attempts — one from 59 yards and another from 35 yards — accounting for the Jaguars’ only points of the day.
Detroit kicker Jake Bates went 7-for-7 on extra points and hit his lone field goal attempt from 54 yards. Return specialist Kalif Raymond helped consistently flip field position with solid punt returns.
Key Highlights and Turning Points
Several moments defined the flow of the game:
- Cam Little’s 59-yard field goal put Jacksonville up 3–0, but the lead vanished quickly.
- David Montgomery’s and Jahmyr Gibbs’ rushing touchdowns established Detroit’s dominance early.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown’s 27-yard touchdown and later 9-yard score highlighted Detroit’s passing efficiency.
- Jameson Williams’ 64-yard touchdown in the third quarter put the game entirely out of reach.
- Detroit continued to pile on points with a balanced offensive attack and airtight defense.
From the second quarter onward, Detroit controlled every possession and every matchup.
What the Jaguars Can Take Away From the Loss
For Jacksonville, this was a harsh reminder of where improvement is needed. Their offense struggled to create space, explosive plays were nonexistent, and the offensive line had difficulty holding off Detroit’s pass rush. The defense was overwhelmed by Detroit’s versatility and speed.
Still, Brian Thomas Jr. continues to show bright potential as a future star, and Cam Little delivered an exceptional kicking performance.
What the Lions Proved With This Dominant Performance
Detroit displayed the identity of a complete, well-rounded team. Jared Goff looked like a top-tier quarterback, St. Brown and Williams showcased elite receiving talent, and the Montgomery–Gibbs duo proved nearly impossible to contain.
Defensively, the Lions showed discipline, physicality, and the ability to generate pressure even without heavy blitzing.
This match reaffirmed Detroit’s status as a contender with strengths on both sides of the ball.
Final Thoughts
The Jacksonville Jaguars vs Detroit Lions matchup was lopsided on the scoreboard, but the deeper player stats tell the story even more clearly. Detroit executed with precision across offense, defense, and special teams, while Jacksonville struggled to keep pace and never found its rhythm.
From breakout receiving performances to dominant rushing efficiency and strong defensive efforts, the Lions demonstrated why they are considered one of the most balanced teams in the league. Jacksonville, meanwhile, gained insight into areas needing improvement while seeing glimpses of future talent.
