PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – This one felt inevitable, then suddenly it didn't.

The Jaguars lost to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field Sunday, with the 28-23 result a bit bizarre – and very frustrating yet again for a Jaguars team that continues to fight while continuing to fall short in critical moments.

This was a tough, tough matchup for the Jaguars – and for a second consecutive week they nearly overcame a slow, slow start. But for a second consecutive week, a dramatic – and at least somewhat valiant – second-half effort fell short.

The Jaguars faced first-and-10 at the Eagles 13 just past the two-minute warning trailing 28-23, but quarterback Trevor Lawrence's pass into the end zone to running back D'Ernest Johnson was intercepted by linebacker Nakobe Dean.

Game over.

The Jaguars therefore are 2-7, with three losses in the last five games. The schedule gets no easier, with games in the coming weeks against the Minnesota Vikings at home, the Detroit Lions on the road and the Houston Texans at home.

All are contending teams, and contending seems a long time ago for the good guys. Sigh.

Let's get to it …

Andrew from Los Angeles, CA

Well, now what? Are we going to another rebuilding? Nobody can bring a spark. I really like Head Coach Doug Pederson, but a change must be done.

Eight games remain in the 2024 regular season. The Jaguars are 2-7, so I'm not saying these questions aren't fair. And if the season continues in this vein, it's hard to see changes in many areas not being considered. Such is the nature of the NFL. As for the specific nature of such change … that's a major storyline over the next eight weeks. Stay tuned.

David from Eau Claire

Is there time to make the playoffs yet? Do you think they can win out the rest of the season?

There is time to make the playoffs. I do not think the Jaguars will "win out" the rest of the season.

Haney from Little Elm, TX

Umm.. I really just. I dunno. I don't even know what question to ask at this point.

It has been that kind of season. The Jaguars have lost five games by five or fewer points, with all five losses decided in the final five minutes. That doesn't mean they're good. Good teams win those sorts of games. It does make this season weird, baffling and very frustrating.

Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ

Jaguars doing Jaguars things. Who even is Trammell?

Austin Trammell is a veteran wide receiver who was elevated from the practice squad Saturday and who returned punts Sunday. He fumbled the game's first punt, which led directly to the Eagles' first touchdown – a 20-yard pass from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts to running back Saquon Barkley. This was Trammell's first regular-season play for the Jaguars, which makes your question understandable and the result of the play unfortunate. The Jaguars really needed a fast start and they really needed not to have silly turnovers Sunday. It was a tough way to start.

Dave from Jacksonville

This team is fascinating. It's like there is a contagious illness rampant in the locker room. Whose turn will it be to make a game-changing mistake on this drive? And how will it occur? I now watch the games without passion, but with a level of curious amusement. Interestingly, I feel that most of the Jags players view each game the same way.

It's the NFL. Most games are close. The good ones with big-time players figure out a way to win enough to make the postseason. The bad teams figure out a way to be well under .500.

Alex from St. Augustine, FL

Why isn't Montaric Brown starting over Ronald Darby?

Because the coaches believe Darby is better at cornerback right now.

Scott from Fernandina Beach, FL

Imagine if you will a Jaguars team that plays 4 quarters.

This is a fair thought and an incredibly pertinent one. Slow starts have become an overriding and maddening trend that is defining the Jaguars' season. The team hasn't scored a first-drive offensive touchdown in the last 14 games and the offense managed just one first down in the first half Sunday. The Jaguars played well – and with fire and grit – in the second half Sunday. They did the same in a loss to the Green Bay Packers last Sunday. But it's tough to beat contending teams rallying from double-digit deficits. It just is.

Johnny from Jac

We win lots of coin tosses, so we got that goin for us.

This was the much-ballyhooed, sometimes-gravity-defying, rarely-whispered First Email of the Game. The Jaguars do seem to win a lot of coin tosses and they won Sunday's coin toss. Things went a bit awry a bit too quickly after that, so it didn't seem all that pertinent. But the Jaguars are 2-7 so who am I to say what's pertinent?

Keith from St. Augustine, FL

One first down in the first half?

Yes.

Jeff from Atlantic Beach, FL

The Jaguars are really good at making the simple things look incredibly difficult.

This is true of teams that lose.