JACKSONVILLE – In a weekly feature for the 2024 season, NFL Media and Jaguars Media analyst Bucky Brooks breaks down the Jaguars' performance in a 18-13 Week 2 loss to the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Stadium

BIG IMPRESSIONS

• The Jaguars are letting the hangover from the 2023 season impact their energy and enthusiasm for the current season. After losing seven of their last eight games, the Jaguars lack the confidence, self-belief and swagger that separates the great teams from the pack. Though the Jaguars crept back into the game after falling behind 16-3, it took a bomb to rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. in the third quarter to jump-start the squad and spark the energy needed to match the Browns' intensity. While the Jaguars were expected to emerge as a playoff contender in Year 3 of the Head Coach Doug Pederson era, the lack of confidence due to an extended losing streak has kept the team from playing to its potential.

KEYS TO VICTORY

• The Jaguars will not win until their stars play like stars on game day. Despite receiving strong contributions from newbies and unheralded players, the Jaguars cannot knock off the AFC's heavyweights with their blue-chip players making minimal contributions. This squad counts on quarterback Trevor Lawrence, running back Travis Etienne Jr., wide receiver Christian Kirk, tight end Evan Engram, left tackle Cam Robinson, right tackle Anton Harrison, defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, defensive end Travon Walker, cornerback Tyson Campbell, linebacker Foye Oluokun and safety Andre Cisco to make pivotal plays in key moments, but the core has not produced enough splash plays to tilt the game in the Jaguars' favor. While injuries to Engram and Campbell kept them from playing in Week 2, the modest stat line from the rest of the crew reveals a lack of production from the playmakers expected to deliver when the game is on the line. Until the Jaguars receive significant contributions from their top players, the losses will continue to mount despite the stellar play from the supporting cast.

TREVOR'S TIME

• The franchise quarterback put up modest numbers against one of the NFL's most talented defenses. Lawrence completed 14 of 30 passes for 220 yards without a touchdown or interception. Although he played turnover-free football despite facing persistent pressure and air-tight coverage, the fourth-year pro did not make enough plays to spark an underwhelming offense. With a few narrow misses and costly mistakes (sacked in the end zone for a safety) tipping the scales in the Browns' favor, the Jaguars need their QB1 to play like a superhero when all else fails. Until No.16 puts on the cape and flashes his magical powers to overcome the poor play around him, the Jaguars will continue to post "L"s in the weekly win-loss column.

UNSUNG HERO

• Cornerback Montaric Brown deserves a helmet sticker for his play against the Browns. The third-year pro stepped in for Campbell and played like an All-Pro on the island. From his sticky coverage on wide receiver Amari Cooper to his solid tackling on the perimeter, Brown played winning football as a fill-in. If the youngster continues to play at this level, it is only a matter of time before he cracks the lineup as a full-time starter.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING

• The offense struggled for the second week and currently ranks bottom 10 in most major statistics. The unit has failed miserably on third down and in the red zone and needs more explosive elements to put points on the board. As a bottom-five offense in points per game (15), Lawrence and Co. have failed to adequately support a defense that has played well enough to win. The poor communication, faulty execution and lackluster performance from a group that was expected to rank as one of the best in the league has been one of the season's biggest disappointments. With the offensive line also taking regular beatdowns from opposing frontlines and the receivers seemingly blanketed at every turn, plenty of folks are to blame for the Jaguars' poor start.

DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING

• The defense has been the bright spot of the team. Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen has gotten strong performances from youngsters and backups to help the unit hold each of its first two opponents to or below the magic number (20) that routinely wins games. Against the Browns, the unit overcame a slow start to eventually hold the Browns to 16 offensive points while keeping the team in the game amid its offensive struggles. While the defense needs more splash play production from Hines-Allen and Walker in games in which the offense is struggling, it is hard to point the finger at the defense when it has done more than enough to win each week.