JACKSONVILLE – In a weekly feature for the 2024 season, NFL Media and Jaguars Media analyst Bucky Brooks breaks down the Jaguars' performance in a 30-27 Week 8 loss to the Green Bay Packers at EverBank Stadium

BIG IMPRESSION

• The Jaguars gave away another winnable game due to the self-inflicted mistakes that have plagued the team since the beginning of the season. The turnovers, pre-snap penalties, blown assignments and missed tackles cost the Jaguars dearly against a playoff-caliber team with a deep and talented roster. With the Jaguars giving away free yards, first downs and extra possessions, the Packers were able to steal a win with their backup quarterback playing the majority of the game.

KEYS TO VICTORY

• The Jaguars could not overcome countless mistakes and miscues to knock off one of the NFC's heavyweights. A pair of turnovers from quarterback Trevor Lawrence resulted in 14 points for the Packers, and a few missed assignments (blown coverages) also led to big plays that helped the visitors put more points on the board. The missed tackles and shoddy run defense enabled the Packers to control the game with a backup quarterback at the helm. Given the mistakes and poor execution from the team at crucial moments, the Jaguars' players and coaches will kick themselves when reviewing the tape of a game that should have resulted in the third win of the season.

TREVOR'S TIME

• The Jaguars' QB1 took the team on a roller-coaster ride with a performance that featured a mix of highs and lows. Despite giving the ball away twice on poor decisions, Lawrence bounced back with an impressive fourth quarter with a collection of backups thrust into action. The fourth-year pro dropped a series of "dimes" to the unheralded pass catchers, exhibiting pinpoint accuracy and delivering the ball into tight windows. In addition, Lawrence's decisiveness in executing simplistic concepts with backups in the game helped the Jaguars flourish without their starting wideouts (Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, and Brian Thomas, Jr.) on the field in the clutch. If Lawrence can start games as he finished against the Packers, the Jaguars' offense could realize its potential as a big-play offense with the capacity to light up scoreboards around the league.

UNSUNG HERO

• Cooper Hodges was forced into action after multiple injuries along the frontline. The second-year pro played right guard and left guard after Brandon Scherff and Ezra Cleveland were sidelined with injuries at various stages of the game. Hodges held his own during his professional debut, exhibiting toughness and resilience battling at the line of scrimmage. With injuries likely forcing Hodges into the starting lineup next week, the scrappy backup will have a chance to improve upon his performance against an NFC heavyweight.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING

• After stumbling out of the gate, the Jaguars found an offensive rhythm in the second quarter. The running game got going behind Tank Bigsby's rugged running between the tackles, while Thomas and Kirk sparked the aerial attack with a few explosive plays on the perimeter. Though the offense could not sustain the effort for four quarters, the flashes showcased the unit's potential when the group was locked in and focused. If the offense can eliminate some of the pre-snap penalties that have popped up in crucial moments, the Jaguars could become the team Head Coach Doug Pederson envisioned before the season.

DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING

• The defense continues to struggle with situational awareness and execution in crucial moments. Despite preparing well throughout the week in the film room and on the practice field, the Jaguars are not getting it done between the lines. From the blown assignments to the missed tackles to the lack of gap discipline between the tackles, the Jaguars did not play sound defense when it mattered most against the Packers. The disappointing performance continues a trend of poor showings from a unit that has not played to the standard this season.