JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars’ 30-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers in a 2024 Week 8 game at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville Sunday

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. Such a shame. The Jaguars in a sense deserved better Sunday. They played a good team tough, rallying twice despite an unreal run of injuries. They did so with their season essentially on the line – and played well enough at times to win. At the same time, the loss also defined the season in the sense they couldn't make the play to secure the game. On Sunday, that came in the form of the defense allowing a 51-yard pass from backup quarterback Malik Willis to wide receiver Jayden Reed with 1:04 remaining that set up the game-winning field goal. "They fought to the end," Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson said. "That's all I can ask for, but I want them to understand that games come down to about two plays, three plays." The Packers' late drive spoiled what could have been an inspiring story, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence driving the Jaguars to a game-tying score with his top three receivers – Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas Jr. – out with injuries. Playing in two-tight end sets, Lawrence shook off two turnovers that led to Packers touchdowns and gutsily the Jaguars from 10-0 and 27-17 deficits to tie the game 27-27 on a big-time throw-and-catch touchdown to tight Evan Engram with 1:48 remaining. What the Jaguars needed was for the defense to stop an offense with a backup quarterback. It couldn't. Such a shame.
2. Scraping and clawing. You can store the quit and fragility themes, at least for now. That's because the Jaguars on Sunday played with impressive, heart and fight – doing so against a good, ascending team. And make no mistake: The Jaguars on Sunday had plenty of opportunities to quit – or at least be very deflated. The offense failed to pick up a first down until the second half of the second quarter. And that was before a slew of injuries that not only included the aforementioned receivers, but guards Ezra Cleveland and Brandon Scherff. Credit the defense in the first two quarters-plus for playing well enough to keep the Jaguars competitive. When the offense found a rhythm, the Jaguars scratched and clawed their way into the game. Yes, this game ended like too many others this season – with a disappointing loss to a team that just made more big plays at key times. And the playoffs now seem – if not impossible – further from reality than ever. But this team showed heart Sunday in a big-time way. It was just too bad for them it wasn't rewarded. "It's a gut punch," linebacker Foye Oluokun said. Yes, it was.

Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent…

1. I'm not sure how to describe what happened after Thomas' third-quarter touchdown gave them a 17-13 lead. A defense that did a pretty good job against starter Jordan Love suddenly couldn't handle Willis and the threat of the run. Willis leaned on running back Josh Jacobs and took the offense down the field for the go-ahead score with almost zero resistance. Then Lawrence – who had done such a nice job protecting the football through seven games – committed his second turnover of the game, which led directly to a second Green Bay touchdown. Then, late in the game, the snap hit the motion tight end on third down and the Jaguars had to settle for a field goal instead of trying to get into the end zone. They looked bad in the first quarter, better in the second quarter, promising in the third and the fourth. It doesn't make sense for this team – with a quarterback the caliber of Lawrence, and enough talent on defense – to be so inconsistent and unsteady.
2. I wrote "tough to blame the defense" in my notebook in the first half. And it was impossible to lay the blame at their feet as the Packers took a 10-0 lead. The Jaguars' offense completely stalled in the first quarter with only 15 yards and no first downs, but as soon as the Jaguars claimed the lead in the third quarter that defense was unrecognizable. They did a good job and generally kept Love in check but couldn't handle Willis? The 51-yarder to Reed that set up the game-winner was really bad and the second down run by Christoper Brooks that essentially secured the victory was, too. This defense should be much better and much more consistent than it has been. The word in August was they could play fast and free because it was a simplified scheme, and everyone knew their assignments. That didn't appear to be the case on Sunday with the game on the line. On that note it was really quite easy to pin the blame on the defense.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...

1. Good teams find a way. The Packers on Sunday dished out a lesson in responding to adversity. The Jaguars would be wise to learn from that lesson. Playing most of the second half without their starting quarterback, the Packers seemingly played even better without Love. The offense adapted and hammered the run game, lulling the Jaguars' defense to sleep enough to connect on several big plays as well. Even with the Jags rallying late in the fourth quarter to tie the game, there never was a feeling of comfort with the Jacksonville defense on the field. Jacksonville upon tying the game promptly gave up a 51-yard pass to set up Green Bay's game winning field goal as time expired. The Packers are a good team that found a way to win.
2. The injury bug strikes at an inopportune time. As the Jaguars fall to 2-6, they will now head into next week without several of their key players. Four offensive players were injured during the matchup and did not return: Davis, Thomas, Kirk and Cleveland. Scherff sustained a knee injury but finished the game. Cornerback Ronald Darby left early with a hip injury. If those starters miss time due to injury, it will be up to the young backups to make a difference. I'm looking for guard Cooper Hodges, cornerback Tre Prince and wide receiver Parker Washington to get some increased playing time in their absence.