Jacksonville forces 4 turnovers and returns a punt TD to upset San Francisco 26–21. Liam Coen and Robert Saleh erupt in heated postgame war of words. Recap, stats & fallout.
Jaguars vs 49ers — in one sentence
The Jacksonville Jaguars stunned San Francisco 26–21 in Week 4, forcing 4 turnovers, scoring on an 87-yard punt return, and ending in a fiery confrontation between head coach Liam Coen and 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
Why was a must-watch
This matchup carried high stakes and multiple subplot narratives:
- First loss for San Francisco: The 49ers entered 3–0 and unbeaten; this marked their first defeat of the season.
- Defensive opportunism & special teams swing: Jacksonville’s defense and return game made the difference — a rare formula for defeating a strong offensive team.
- Coaching friction amplified: The pregame signal-stealing talk from Saleh and the postgame Coen-Saleh in-your-face exchange added drama beyond the scoreboard.
- Injury & roster concerns: Jaguars lost key defenders during the game; 49ers already dealing with depleted WR corps.
Final score & headline stats
- Final: Jaguars 26, 49ers 21
- Takeaways: 4 turnovers forced by Jacksonville, converted into 17 points.
- Special teams explosion: Parker Washington returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown — Jacksonville’s first punt return TD since 2017.
- Jaguars offense: Trevor Lawrence was 21/31 for 174 yards and a passing touchdown.
- 49ers offense & woes: Brock Purdy passed for 309 yards, 2 TDs and 2 interceptions. Christian McCaffrey contributed 141 yards total, including 92 receiving yards. (
How the game unfolded — narrative & turning points
First half — balanced, playoff feel
The 49ers and Jaguars traded possessions. San Francisco attacked through McCaffrey and their receiving corps (though depleted), while Jacksonville relied on its defense to stay in the game. No massive blowouts; just a tight battle.
Third quarter — special teams and turnovers shift momentum
Jacksonville’s corner grew sharper, and Washington’s 87-yard punt return touchdown provided a jolt. The Jaguars used forced turnovers to build separation.
Fourth quarter — pressure, mistakes & theatre
San Francisco tried to rally, with Purdy hitting a 21-yard TD to Jake Tonges, closing the gap to 26–21. But with under three minutes left, Arik Armstead strip-sacked Purdy; Foyesade Oluokun recovered to clinch the win. The ensuing postgame interaction between Coen and Saleh overshadowed final drives.
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
Player spotlights — the game’s difference-makers
Parker Washington (Jaguars) — return game gem
His 87-yard punt return TD was the momentum bomb. In a game of tight margins, special teams flipped field position and scoreboard directly.
Trevor Lawrence (Jags QB) — steady under pressure
His throw to Hunter Long for 4 yards after an interception set up the clincher. He wasn’t electric, but effective.
Arik Armstead & Foyesade Oluokun (Jags defense) — strip & recover
Armstead stripped Purdy late; Oluokun fell on the fumble to seal Jacksonville’s win. Those playmaking defensive moments defined the game.
Brock Purdy (49ers) — return with mistakes
Though he threw for 309 yards and 2 TDs, his 2 picks and the fumble under pressure cost San Francisco dearly.
Coaching & tactical analysis — what they did well (or poorly)
Liam Coen & Jaguars staff
- Emphasis on turnovers and field-flipping plays paid dividends.
- Trusting Lawrence in pressure moments — including his 3rd-and-5 conversion — showed poise.
- Game management and defensive adjustments were critical.
Robert Saleh & 49ers staff
- The signal-stealing comment earlier in the week (against Coen) built tension that boiled over postgame. (New York Post)
- Offense had the yardage but couldn’t convert turnovers — questionable decision-making or lack of protection at key moments.
- Special teams lapses and allowing a return TD is a recurring narrative: 49ers must address that weakness.
3-1@net_acr | #JAXvsSF pic.twitter.com/g3jaUX9UUV
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) September 28, 2025
Injuries & roster implications
- Jaguars lost Mekari, Walker, and Murray during the game — each exit concerning, especially Walker, an edge defender. (Big Cat Country)
- On San Francisco’s side, their receivers corps was already thin (missing stars) and they had additional injuries in this game.
Expect midweek MRI updates and possible roster moves, especially in Jacksonville’s defensive back and edge positions.
Three big takeaways
- Turnovers matter more than yardage — 49ers outgained Jags roughly 389 to 325 but lost because of 4 giveaways.
- Coaching war escalates — Saleh’s comment about “legal signal stealing” was a spark that turned postseason drama into real tension.
- Depth & special teams win close games — Washington’s return, defensive playmakers stepping up. For the 49ers, special teams miscues and red-zone misses cost them. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Where to watch & broadcast info
- Broadcast & streaming: FOX carried the game live. (CBSSports.com)
- Pregame & odds: Kickoff was at 4:05 p.m. ET. San Francisco was favored (−3.5) before the upset.
- Replays & highlights: On ESPN match recaps, NFL.com highlight reels, and team channels (Jaguars.com, 49ers.com). Embed the ESPN recap for stats and key clips.
Fan reaction & social media pulse
The postgame showed Coen bypassing the handshake line and confronting Saleh with expletives: “Keep my name out of your mouth.” The exchange escalated into a verbal blowup before staff intervened.
Sports commentators quickly lit up the storylines: Was Saleh’s comment a compliment or a jab? Did Coen overreact? Meanwhile, Jaguars players cited the tension as added motivation.
Postgame quotes (paraphrased & context)
- Liam Coen: “No big deal … I’ll keep that between us.” After being asked about the heated exchange, Coen downplayed it but clearly bristled at Saleh’s earlier remarks. (ESPN.com)
- Kyle Shanahan: Called Coen “sensitive” but said Saleh intended the comment as praise — invoked “sign stealing” phrasing created perception issues.
- Trevor Lawrence: Acknowledged that the defense and special teams bailed out the offense, and expressed confidence in future offensive growth. (ESPN.com)