Jaguars vs. Eagles: Quick Thoughts following a 28-23 Week 9 Loss at Lincoln Financial Field

Nov 03, 2024 at 11:03 PM

by John Oehser, Brian Sexton & Kainani Stevens

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars’ 28-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2024 Week 9 game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., Sunday

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

More fight, same result. Jaguars center Mitch Morse said it best late Sunday when he called the recent weeks a "broken record." He was right, and he might have added that it's a frustrating broken record following a fifth loss this season by five points or less. Credit the Jaguars for this: You can forget that storyline from a few weeks ago that this team lacks heart or fight – or that there's "a lot of quit" in this team. The Jaguars in the last two weeks have rallied in dramatic, resilient fashion and nearly upset two NFC postseason contenders. Yes, they did it in a weird way on Sunday – rallying to have a chance to win late after registering just one first-half first down with the help of a strange fumble return for a touchdown by defensive end Travon Walker. But the bottom line was that the Jaguars had a very real chance for one of the more memorable victories in franchise history Sunday until Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean intercepted Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the end zone with 1:38 remaining. The good news for the Jaguars is there's no issue with heart or desire. The bad news, of course, makes the good news not really matter – and that's that at 2-7, the playoffs are all-but over and the season is as disappointing as any Jaguars season in recent memory.
Can't do that. You figured the Jaguars needed a fast start against a good Eagles team Sunday – and that they needed to protect the ball. The hopes in those areas faded early in a first half in which the Jaguars again made key mistakes at key times. First, punt returner Austin Trammell – elevated from the practice squad Saturday – fumbled on his first regular-season play with the organization, a turnover that came before the offense ever ran a play and that led directly to a 20-yard touchdown pass from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts to running back Saquon Barkley. Later in the half, after an impressive first-half defensive effort, Lawrence's pass was bobbled into the air by running back Travis Etienne Jr. and linebacker Zack Baun intercepted at the Jaguars 40. Barkley's 19-yard run on a third-and-17 draw play pushed the Eagles' lead to 16-0 at halftime. The Jaguars must somehow start faster and stop hurting themselves early. If they don't, the frustrations of recent weeks will continue.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Philadelphia Eagles

DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)

Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent…

S.O.S. You choose what it means. Same old story, same old struggles, stunning offensive struggles or save our season. They all work to describe Sunday's loss. The Jaguars' offense was historically dysfunctional in the first half, crushing a strong showing by the defense. The numbers tell the whole story whether it's plays, yards, time of possession or third-down conversions. The defense gave the ball back to the offense with two minutes to play in the half somehow trailing only 10-0. Then Etienne mishandled a pass and tipped it up into the air, committing the turnover that broke the game wide open before the half. Then with a chance to take the lead with less than two minutes to play … well, you saw it. A bad decision, a bad throw, another bad ending for the Jaguars.
Do it Defense. A week after allowing a 51-yard completion that set up the game-winning field goal in a loss to the Packers, the defense came to play Sunday. Defensive end Josh Hines-Allen led a front that had three sacks and stuffed a pair of two-point conversions from the Eagles – and Walker's fumble recovery touchdown was the play that turned it back into a game. A fourth-down pressure by linebacker Devin Lloyd was a huge moment by a player who has really struggled this season, and it couldn't have come at a more opportune time. The Eagles 91-yard scoring drive that essentially put the game away came against a gassed defense that was on the field way too long. But the unit came through late in the game, forcing a long-field goal attempt that ended up giving the offense the ball back with two minutes to play. If only the offense could have found a way to be even remotely functional in the first half and not disappear, the Jaguars might have at least temporarily saved their season.

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Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Philadelphia Eagles

OL Walker Little (72)

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...

The beginning of the end. Last week's loss to the Packers gave you the feeling of the final charge of a battle, with a herculean effort from the offense late to tie the game with several key players off the field due to injury. While the Jaguars lost that game, I left the stadium feeling they had given every last effort they had. Sunday's showing in South Philadelphia showed me that the Jags do not have much left in the tank. The only time this team sees success is when things become so far out of reach that their opponents begin playing conservatively. The Jags rallied in the second half against the Eagles, but at no point did it feel like the Jags took over the game. It felt much more like the Eagles were trying to give it away.
Last week's position of depth is this week's area of need. A Jaguars offensive line that had been a strength lately is now dealing with significant lineup changes. Left tackle Cam Robinson trade to the Vikings earlier this week put swing tackle Walker Little into the starting lineup. Left guard Ezra Cleveland did not dress for Sunday's game because of an ankle injury. Then during the game, both Anton Harrison and Cooper Hodges left the game – and Hodges did not return. Reserve lineman Cole Van Lanen and Blake Hance played at right guard and right tackle, respectively. All the offensive lineman in uniform saw playing time as Luke Fortner even came on for a few plays while Morse was evaluated for a concussion. A position group that thrives off consistency now faces some serious changes for the second half of the season.