JACKSONVILLE – Hope remains strong, with objectives very much intact.

The circumstances are far from ideal, but Head Coach Doug Pederson said reality is different than perception – and the reality is the Jaguars' 2024 season isn't over.

Far from it, in fact.

"The guys haven't checked out whatsoever," he said Monday. "Our goals and everything are right in front of us."

Pederson, speaking to the media a day after a 12-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at EverBank Stadium – their third consecutive loss after two victories in three games – covered multiple topics. Among them: The status of quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who missed Sunday's game with a left-shoulder injury.

"It's too early to tell right now; we still have a couple of days," Pederson said of Lawrence's chances to play a road game Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

Pederson added that surgery for Lawrence has not been discussed.

"I don't know where the surgery talk is coming from, but nothing like that," Pederson said.

The Jaguars (2-8) remain four games behind the AFC South-leading Houston Texans (6-4) with seven games remaining. They are three games behind the final AFC wild-card postseason spot despite having the conference's worst record as mid-November approaches.

"I still feel like it's a great opportunity for us," Pederson said. "You show them where we are. You show them our division. You show them what's left on the schedule and try to stay positive. As a team, we have to figure out how to win a game.

"The guys don't quit. You saw again yesterday. They battle right to the end."

Sunday's loss continued a recent – and season-long – trend of tight, late losses decided in the final two minutes. The Jaguars have lost three consecutive games – home against the Green Bay Packers (30-27), at the Philadelphia Eagles (28-23) and Sunday – by five or fewer points. They lost at the Miami Dolphins (20-17) in Week 1, at home to the Cleveland Browns (18-13) in Week 2 and at the Texans (24-20) in the same fashion.

"Despite the mistakes and the losses, it's a crazy business," Pederson said. "It can change for us in a hurry and get positive for us in a quick way. The guys put in the time during the week. You hurt for the guys because you see how much they put into it.

"To have six one-score losses in six games, it's hard. Sometimes, we make it hard. But the guys see it, they understand it and we're all in it together. We'll try to fix it and move on."

The Jaguars on Sunday led from midway through the first quarter until midway through the fourth, not allowing a touchdown and registering a season-high three takeaways – three interceptions off Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold.

The Jaguars' 143 total yards on offense Sunday marked their lowest total under Pederson, and the lowest since they had 119 total yards in a 2018 Week 17 loss at Houston. The Jaguars took a 7-3 lead on a 70-yard first-quarter drive, but had 71 yards offense after that.

Mac Jones, making his first Jaguars start in place of Lawrence, completed 14 of 22 passes for 111 yards and no touchdowns. He also committed turnovers on the last three possessions, throwing interceptions on the last two drives with the Jaguars trailing by the final margin.

"I thought the way the game started, it fit right in his wheelhouse," Pederson said. "Sometimes, we can do a better job putting our players in better situations. Protection breakdowns kind of got him off his spot a little bit. He missed a few things. There are some things he would want back.

"The two interceptions, the fumble, those are things we can't do, especially at the end of the game."

Pederson also said the Jaguars still have "a ton of confidence" in Jones.

"If he gets an opportunity this week, I know he'll be better," Pederson said. "He'll learn from it. He takes it hard. He takes it personal, which he should. We all do."

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• Jaguars starting left guard Ezra Cleveland could return to practice this week, Pederson said. Cleveland has missed the last two games with a high-ankle sprain. "He should be out there at practice and get a few snaps and see where he's at," Pederson said. Pederson said the Jaguars sustained no significant injuries Sunday, with running back Tank Bigsby leaving the game with an ankle issue. "He kind of got hobbled on a play, but nothing serious," Pederson said.