Game Report, 2024 Week 9: Eagles 28, Jaguars 23

Nov 03, 2024 at 07:39 PM

John Oehser

Jaguars Senior Writer

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The fight was real. The drama was, too.

But a valiant effort by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, a depleted offense and gutty defense fell just short – and the Jaguars lost yet another heartbreaking game, this one 28-23 to the Philadelphia Eagles on a dark, cold Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.

"It's tough – it's tough," Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson said.

Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean intercepted Lawrence in the end zone with 1:38 remaining on first-and-10 from the Eagles 13 to clinch the victory.

"We kept fighting," Lawrence said. "We were resilient. It's tough when you find a way to get back in the game and you have an opportunity and it finishes that way.

"We have a lot of fight. We just have to find a way to finish these games. It's tough."

The Jaguars (2-7), who have lost four games in the final :18 this season, lost for a third time in five games and trail the AFC South-leading Houston Texans by four games with eight regular-season games remaining. The Eagles (6-2) won a fourth consecutive game.

"We just have to keep fighting," Pederson said. "We're a resilient group. It's that time of year. Guys are going to be sore. Guys are going to be hurting. My hats off to those guys for hanging in there."

Jaguars center Mitch Morse called the Jaguars' fifth loss of the season by five or fewer points "devastating."

"The unfortunate thing it is a broken record right now," Morse said.

The Jaguars turned a one-sided game into a dramatic second half with two third-quarter touchdowns in :14. First, Lawrence scored on a one-yard run and a two-point pass to wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.

Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker on the ensuing offensive play returned a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown, with Lawrence's two-point pass to tight end Evan Engram trimming what had been a 22-0 lead to 22-16 with 5:12 remaining in the third quarter.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts' 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver DeVonta Smith with 7:43 remaining restored the Eagles' multi-score lead.

Lawrence capped the ensuing drive with a four-yard touchdown run to pull the Jaguars back to within a score.

Two first-half turnovers were key, with the Eagles turning both into point-blank touchdowns en route to a 16-0 halftime lead. The Eagles outgained the Jaguars 187-31 and had 10 first downs to one for the Jaguars in the first half.

The Eagles turned a fumbled punt return by Jaguars wide receiver Austin Trammell into a 20-yard touchdown pass from Hurts to running back Saquon Barkley before the Jaguars' offense ran a play.

Barkley's second first-half touchdown, a 19-yard run, followed the Jaguars' second first-half turnover – an interception by linebacker Zack Baun for a first down at the Jaguars 40-yard line just inside the two-minute warning.

Lawrence completed 16 of 31 passes for 169 yards and no touchdowns with two interceptions – and ran for two touchdowns.

Hurts completed 18 of 24 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Barkley rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries.

The Jaguars registered three sacks – all in the first half – and had one defensive takeaway Sunday. Defensive end Josh Hines-Allen had two sacks, and rookie defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson also registered a sack.

"We just have to win," Hines-Allen said. "We have to win, and it hurts. It hurts."

The Jaguars played without two of their top three receivers, with Christian Kirk out for the season with a broken collarbone and Gabe Davis out with a shoulder injury. Starting left guard Ezra Cleveland was out with a high-ankle sprain.

"We battled, we fought," Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. said. "We didn't get the result we wanted, but we still came out and fought through injuries. Everybody gave it their all."

Related Links

Step-by-Step: Breaking Down Week 9

Barkley's 20-yard touchdown reception on a perfect pass from Hurts gave the Eagles a 7-0 lead with 10:22 remaining in the first quarter. The play came two plays after Eagles cornerback Kelee Ringo recovered a fumbled punt by Trammell at the Jaguars 20.
Kicker Jake Elliott converted a 43-yard field goal with 9:20 remaining in the second quarter for a 10-0 Eagles lead. Barkley's 19-yard run with :22 remaining in the second quarter pushed the Eagles' lead to 16-0, and came seven plays after Baun intercepted a pass that deflected off running back Travis Etienne Jr. for a first down at the Jaguars 40.
Hurts' 18-yard run with 9:25 remaining in the third quarter pushed the lead to 22-0, with the Jaguars cutting the lead to 22-8 with Lawrence's one-yard run with 5:26 remaining in the third quarter. Walker returned Barkley's fumble 35 yards for a touchdown on the Eagles' next offensive play.
Smith's 25-yard reception with 7:43 remaining made it 28-16, with Lawrence's four-yard run on the ensuing series making it 28-23 with 4:04 remaining.

Notable Game Moments:

Thomas (chest) was active Sunday despite and veteran wide receiver Gabe Davis (shoulder) was inactive. Both were among Jaguars players listed as questionable on Friday's final injury report of the week. Other Jaguars players listed as questionable Friday who were active Sunday: Running back Tank Bigsby (ankle), Etienne (hamstring), right guard Brandon Scherff (knee). The Jaguars' five inactive players Sunday: Davis, rookie offensive lineman Javon Foster, left guard Ezra Cleveland (ankle), defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo and rookie defensive tackle Maason Smith (ankle).

In-Game Injury Report:

Right tackle Anton Harrison sustained a knee injury in the third quarter.
OL Cooper Hodges sustained a leg injury in the third quarter and did not return.