LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars’ 19-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in a 2024 Week 16 game at Allegiant Stadium Sunday

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. Same story, different day. The Jaguars on Sunday not only lost for a seventh time in eight games – they lost remarkably similarly to how they have lost too often this season. They had a chance late, but couldn't hold a fourth-quarter lead and couldn't make a clutch play late when such a play could have won the game. The result: A ninth loss of the season by a touchdown or less – and while that means the Jaguars have been close, the truth is the NFL is a league of close games and when you can't win them, it means you're not good enough. Head Coach Doug Pederson's disappointment and frustration was evident as he spoke to the media following the game, and he was asked about the difficulty of enduring losses – and the mistakes that lead to the losses – in repetitive fashion as the end of a disappointing season approaches. "I'm sure there's some [self-doubt],'' Pederson said. "When a bad play happens or a penalty, with where we are in our season, I'm sure that creeps in. Guys are human. They're going to feel that emotion. It's the mental toughness. It's the grind. It's the grit and determination. The guys show it and they have shown it, but we just haven't been able to overcome some of those setbacks." He added, "It's that mental toughness we talk about." The Jaguars indeed have lacked mental toughness this season. But mostly they have lacked the ability to make big plays at big times. Maybe it's the same thing. Either way, that too-familiar refrain has defined the season and it was heard yet again Sunday.
2. This was late-season, out-of-the-playoff-chase football. Unlike last Sunday's loss to the New York Jets, Sunday's Jaguars loss had an end-of-season feel. Not that the Jaguars didn't give effort, but there was a sloppiness that had the feel of both teams playing without postseason implications. It also for the Jaguars had the feel of a game played with a backup quarterback and a slew of skill position players out. After the Jaguars turned in an impressive early drive to take a 7-0 first-quarter lead, quarterback Mac Jones – starting for a fifth time in six games for injured starter Trevor Lawrence – struggled to find consistency. The Raiders took advantage of the lull to push into 13-7 halftime lead – and aside from a 62-yard touchdown pass from Jones to wide receiver Brian Thomas on which a coverage breakdown left Thomas unbelievably open – the Jaguars never seriously threatened offensively again. Credit to the Raiders: They played with the passion and want-to the Jaguars had been displaying in recent weeks. And on we go.

Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent…

1. The Jaguars defense has to be disassembled and rebuilt next spring. The secondary has been consistently bad since safety Andre Cisco watched Tyreek Hill race past him in the fourth quarter in Week 1 in Miami and it has only gotten worse. It was the story of the season on that side of the ball, and it wasn't just the safeties – though they had a rough season whether we're talking about Cisco, Darnell Savage or Antonio Johnson. The cornerbacks and linebackers blew their share of coverages as well and the whole package resulted in a record amount of explosive plays – many of which came with the game on the line. I haven't seen a season like this in 30 years with the Jaguars. No one has. It was the worst performance by a defensive backfield in Jaguars history. The pass rush could have helped more than it did all season; the Jaguars didn't affect the quarterback nearly enough. But the secondary needs a lot of attention. A lot of attention.
2. I thought human nature made its first appearance of the season Sunday. It's not that they didn't work hard all week or try to play good football Sunday, but sometimes the combination of an awful season, a depleted roster and a West Coast trip three days before Christmas is tough to overcome. You could see it in Jones' arm when he missed Thomas on a double move in the first half, and in Thomas' hands when he dropped a go-route, and when Logan Cooke shanked a punt, and when running back Tank Bigsby and tight end Brenton Strange fumbled on back-to-back possessions. You get the point.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...

1. Same problems but different culprits. The Jaguars once again made too many mistakes and lost a close game. Jones was smart with the ball Sunday and avoided turnovers while under duress from the Raiders pass rush. The Jaguars early turnovers came from fumbles by two of their promising second-year players, Bigsby and Strange both fumbling in the second quarter. On defense we saw costly penalties from pass rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker on back-to-back plays. Costly errors from usually reliable players resulted in a ninth one-score loss this season.
2. Short-term pain for long-term gain. The Jaguars and Raiders ended the day with identical records Sunday. It was another frustrating finish for Jacksonville, but perhaps a "win" of sorts for the draft watchers. According to Tankathon.com, if the NFL draft were to take place tomorrow, Jacksonville would have the third overall pick. Whether the Jaguars pick at that selection or trade down, there will be high value at that point in the draft. Something to keep an eye on these final two weeks of the regular season.