JACKSONVILLE – The issues are many, and difficult to explain.

Such is the nature of 2-7 – and with the Jaguars' offense struggling in many areas in recent weeks, Head Coach Doug Pederson on Monday emphasized one issue that is key to many issues.

The Jaguars struggle on third down, which affects pretty much everything.

"Those are things that have haunted us this season," he said.

Pederson spoke a day after a 28-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., with Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean intercepting a pass from quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the end zone with 1:38 remaining to secure the victory.

The game marked the Jaguars' fifth loss of the season decided by five or fewer points in the final two minutes. The Jaguars lost to the Green Bay Packers, 30-27, the previous Sunday on a field goal on the game's final play.

"It does encourage you that you can play with these guys if – quite frankly – you eliminate a few mistakes," Pederson said. "Things could be different. We've given ourselves opportunities. We just now have to capitalize on them.

"I don't see our guys getting down. I don't see our guys being dejected on the sideline. There's a great communication on the sideline, a lot of encouragement like, 'Hey, we will make that play the next time.' It's just a feeling of, 'It's close.' We just need that one play go get us going."

Among the Jaguars recent issues: Slow starts offensively, with the unit producing 58 first-quarter yards and no first-quarter points in the last three games. Pederson on Monday said one issue offensively affects multiple areas.

That issue is third-down efficiency, with the Jaguars through nine games converting 31 of 98 third downs for a percentage of 31.63 – 30th in the NFL. They have converted four of 19 third downs in the last two games – one of nine against the Packers and three of 10 Sunday.

"We had opportunities," Pederson said. "We had I think four or five third-and 4s in this game and we don't capitalize. It takes you away from getting to things in your game plan that can obviously help you."

Pederson added, "The No. 1 thing you look at, you have to look at the third downs. We as a staff have to look at the third downs and see if there's something there differently that we can do or move some guys around within the scheme of things and try to stay on the field."

Pederson also on Monday addressed wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.. catching two passes for 22 yards Sunday. The rookie wide receiver was targeted four times, with Pederson saying the Eagles in "normal down situations" and some third downs defended Thomas with a corner with safety help.

"They basically doubled BT and it is hard to throw the ball over there to a guy that's doubled," Pederson said. "You have to go other places with the ball. That was part of their game plan. What we had seen during the week and scouted, they didn't necessarily present those coverages, and so you have to make adjustments throughout the game."

Tight end Brenton Strange played nine plays with no targets Sunday.

"In Brenton's case, it's probably more on us to get him more involved," Pederson said.

NOTABLE

• Quarterback Trevor Lawrence emerged from Sunday's game "fine," according to Pederson. Lawrence was the last Jaguars player to return to the field after halftime Sunday after being hit hard and sustaining a "banged-up" shoulder while scrambling in the second quarter. "It was just a precaution," Pederson said of Lawrence's late return. "He's sore. He played tough. He played physical. He was still with the medical team at that time just to double check, triple check. We knew coming out that he could be coming out late. I told him, 'Don't be too late. We get the ball to start the second half.'"

NOTABLE

• Second-year guard Cooper Hodges was placed on injured reserve Monday and likely will miss the rest of the regular season after sustaining a "significant" leg injury Sunday, Pederson said. Hodges on Sunday made his first career start in place of left guard Ezra Cleveland, who sustained a high-ankle sprain against the Packers. "We'll miss him," Pederson said of Hodges. Pederson said right tackle Anton Harrison should be fine after leaving Sunday's game and returning with a knee injury and that right guard Brandon Scherff should be fine after playing through a knee injury Sunday.