Travis Hunter finally gets his interception as Jaguars crush Patriots

Travis Hunter's first NFL interception arrived in a place where it hurt the Patriots most: the end zone.

The Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back picked off Drake Maye on a second-quarter throw intended for Efton Chism III, ending a New England scoring chance during Sunday's 35-6 Jacksonville win. For Hunter, it was a milestone. For the Jaguars, it was another sign that their defense could take control of the game.

Jacksonville never trailed. Trevor Lawrence threw touchdown passes to three different players, and the Jaguars were well clear by the third quarter. They moved to 2-1 after a far sharper offensive showing than they had produced in the second half of their previous game against Denver.

Hunter's play carried its own significance. Jacksonville selected him second overall in the 2025 draft with the possibility that he could affect games on both sides of the ball. An injury ended his rookie season in Week 7. On Sunday, he played a season-high 42 defensive snaps and came away with the interception he had been seeking.

Jacksonville's defense gave New England little room

The Jaguars pressured Maye on 58.4 percent of his dropbacks, according to Next Gen Stats. New England struggled to build a sustained answer, and Hunter made sure one of its chances near the goal line disappeared.

TRAVIS HUNTER INT ALERT 🚨@NEvsJAX on CBS/Paramount+
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Lawrence also reached 105 career touchdown passes, moving past Blake Bortles for second in Jaguars franchise history. His offense supplied the points; Jacksonville's defense repeatedly kept the Patriots from answering.

Hunter's interception does not settle every question about how the Jaguars will use him this season. It does give them a concrete result from a bigger defensive workload, delivered in a decisive win.

MORE: Marcus Mariota stuns Seahawks as Commanders escape an 0-3 start

Coming up next

The Jacksonville Jaguars are on the road in week four. The Jaguars are at the Cincinnati Bengals. Next up for the New England Patriots is a trip to the new Hallmark Stadium to take on the Buffalo Bills.

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