JACKSONVILLE – Boy, did they need this. Boy, did he need this.

The Jaguars on Sunday beat the Indianapolis Colts, 37-34, in a 2024 Week 5 game at EverBank Field. It was the Jaguars' first victory after four losses to start the season and it was Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence's best game of the season after struggling at times in Weeks 1-4.

Did the Jaguars and Lawrence need this? Absolutely.

We don't know yet if the victory saved the season. The Jaguars at 1-4 still must do a lot of winning with very little losing before we start talking about the things we want to be discussing in late November and December.

But 1-4 is a whole lot better than 0-5 heading to London. They'll take it.

Let's get to it …

Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ

BTJ is special. He didn't get caught from behind, either. We haven't seen that in a long time.

There were many encouraging storylines around the Jaguars Sunday. Jaguars rookie Brian Thomas Jr.'s continued emergence is among them. His 85-yard touchdown reception in the first half Sunday was just the latest evidence that he has a very real chance to be an elite, go-to receiver. He has special traits. It's exciting, impressive stuff.

J.Keith (you doesn't just have to call me, Keith) from Saint Augustine, FL

Trevor is back!!! To all the hecklers in the cheap seats … honey hush.

Lawrence played exceptionally well Sunday. He threw two touchdown passes, completing deep shots to Thomas and wide receiver Christian Kirk. Those are the "moment" plays he had been missing early this season. He also played with the patience and accuracy against a Gus Bradley defense that forces patience and accurate short/intermediate throws. Lawrence was criticized a lot this past week. Good on his for a big game when he needed it.

Beavis from the Southside

Hey, Funky King! Just for the FTR Record -- I was not among those calling for Tank to be cut or benched last year. But my question -- on the Colts' last possession, I told Beavis Junior that we just need a big sack to end the game, and Travon delivered! So, do you think I have ESP?

I don't know. I do know Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker has been good for this team for a long time and was good again Sunday – and that running back Tank Bigsby is further proof that you don't give up on players who struggle as rookies.

Jon from Southampton, UK

OK, John. What's the points deficit before I switch to watching Scott Hansen? 17? 20?

This was the much-ballyhooed, sometimes-pertinent, oft-wacky First Email of the Game. This one, as it turned out, wasn't all that ballyhooed or wacky. It was just a little weird.

Haney from Little Elm, TX

There is no way this team is winning more than three games this year. And that might be generous. What do they actually work on during the week, because it sure as hell isn't watching film or preparing for the opposition.

Hitting send in the first quarter bites you sometimes.

James from Titusville, NJ

How many more times must we endure a failed fourth-down attempt before Doug learns to take points that are given? Same answer as always, "At least once more."

Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson is going to be aggressive in situations when many NFL head coaches in different eras wouldn't have been aggressive. And you're right: This isn't going to change.

Brad from The Avenues

And all is right with the world.

I'm glad you enjoyed your game.

Levi from Huntsville

I can't remember ever having a defense as bad as this. Flacco's last two drives took, what, four plays to go 160ish yards for two touchdowns?

You can't remember a Jaguars defense as bad as this? Really? I get that the defense was bad in the fourth quarter Sunday, but this defense through five games absolutely isn't among the worst we've seen around here.

JT from Palm Coast, FL

Damn, it feels good to get a win. Screw all of the other talk. In the immortal words of Al Davis, "just win baby!"

One fer screwing all the other talk.

Bob from Weaverville NC (evacuated to SC)

O man, why are our defense starters not playing the entire game even still? It's clearly not working. You'll continue hearing from me through the rebuild. Trying to be less abrasive. ;)

Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen believes in rotating players to have young players ready and to keep veteran players fresh as the season continues. Pederson and the organization also appear to believe in this. There are defensive questions after Sunday. I don't know that this is at the top of the list.

Kathy from Jacksonville, FL

It was like day and night! What made the difference? The biggest difference was that everyone at EverBank was Smiling!! It felt surreal.

Winning is cool. Fans like it.