HOUSTON, Texas – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars’ 24-20 loss to the Houston Texans in a 2024 Week 4 game at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, Sunday

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. The story remains frustratingly the same. The Jaguars missed an opportunity Sunday to turn a weird game into a desperately-needed – and perhaps season-saving – victory. The game instead was too similar to most on their recent stretch of nine losses in 10 games – i.e., a story of lost opportunities and key plays not made. Standing out Sunday were two moments in the second half, plays that could have made this a victory – perhaps even a comfortable one. First, quarterback Trevor Lawrence missed wide receiver Christian Kirk wide open deep for a long third-quarter touchdown. The Jaguars then failed to score after facing first-and-goal at the Texans 4-yard line late in the third quarter, with running back Tank Bigsby having been forced out of bounds after a 58-yard run. "We missed some key plays," Head Coach Doug Pederson said. "We have to take a look at those and see where we can be better." Pederson added, "We're that close to flipping the switch, making real plays during the game. We're not making them now and that's what's holding us back." The Jaguars came close to a gritty, gutty – and maybe season-saving – victory Sunday. It wouldn't have been pretty, but it would have felt so good. Instead, the Jaguars are 0-4 – and all that that entails.
2. Frustration at quarterback. Pederson's post-game media availability reflected the feeling around the Jaguars after this one – tense, terse, with an irritated edge. Lawrence spoke shortly after Pederson, and – like the head coach – spoke of frustration over multiple plays not made that could have meant the Jaguars being one game behind in the AFC South rather than three games behind the division-leading Texans. He was correct to be frustrated, because while the fourth-year veteran had better protection than he did in Weeks 1-3, he missed at least two chances at touchdowns that could have changed the outcome. "We have to capitalize," Lawrence said. "When we have the game in our hands, we have to go win it. We obviously didn't do that. A lot of that's on me." Lawrence, in addition to missing Kirk deep in the third quarter, also overthrew rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. for a touchdown on what became a first-quarter field-goal drive. "I've got to hit those plays," Lawrence said. "You're not going to hit them all, but you have to hit more than I did today. I have to be better for my teammates. I understand that." Pederson added, "There are some plays he can make and we have to make them."

Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent…

1. The quarterback isn't playing well – and he is not getting better, no matter what the game statistics say. He had plenty of time to throw Sunday, but when given the time for a deep shot he missed a touchdown to Thomas and another to Kirk – and a couple of big third-down throws to wide receiver Gabe Davis and Thomas. The offense continues to struggle on third down and in the red zone, and he doesn't seem to have mastery over an offense he has been in for three years. It's frustrating. It's also a major concern for a player whom the franchise has planned its future around and is contractually tied to for years to come. The Jaguars need their franchise quarterback to come through in the clutch when the defense gives them the ball back with the lead with less than four minutes to play. He did not. The Jaguars must solve the Trevor dilemma if they are going to break their losing streak.
2. Ventrell Miller needs to be on the field. The second-year linebacker was terrific, roaming from sideline to sideline and playing better than Devin Lloyd has all season long. He's a great story, coming off an Achilles injury that cost him his rookie season – an injury that costs many players their careers. When veteran Foye Oluokun – now on injured reserve with a foot injury – returns, I can't imagine that a combination of Oluokun and Miller isn't the best combination for this defense. The Jaguars need more speed on that side of the ball, and Miller can really run. The defense gave this team a chance to win Sunday and Miller was the best player on that side of the ball.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...

1. They just needed a play to go their way. The Jaguars had reached a state beyond desperation heading into Sunday's game. After a failed offensive drive to start the game led to a punt by Logan Cooke, it seemed like the same stagnant offense we saw in Buffalo had traveled to Houston. But then divine intervention favored the Jaguars, with the Texans botching the fair catch and allowing Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas to recover on the Texans 2-yard line. Lawrence then found Brian Thomas Jr. in the end zone for the touchdown. The Jaguars took the lead for the first time since the season opener in Miami – and that alone gave them life. Regardless of the outcome, this was the best performance we've seen from the Jaguars in a long time.
2. Close but not quite. The Texans eked out a victory at home after trying their best to give it away to the Jaguars. Last week, I felt the Jaguars did everything wrong on Monday Night Football. In Houston, I felt the team did the majority of things right, but once again were burdened by little mistakes and missed opportunities. The team came out with energy, the defense played well despite myriad injuries across the board and the offense looked good at times. The team has remained unified and has not resorted to pointing fingers, but I fear we may have reached the boiling point here after the loss in Houston.