JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Oscar from Palm Coast, FL
Another handover giveaway by TL. What's his excuse this time?
This was a major inbox theme following the Jaguars' 28-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., Sunday – and with reason, I suppose, considering a late-game interception by Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean off Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in the end zone clinched the victory for Philadelphia. It was a disappointing, frustrating end to what was nearly an inspiring – if improbable – come-from-behind victory. What happened on the interception? Lawrence said following the game that the Jaguars had a good look against man coverage in the end zone on first-and-10 from the Eagles 13-yard line just past the two-minute warning. Lawrence threw to running back D'Ernest Johnson and Dean made a leaping interception. He didn't have an excuse, which is typical of Lawrence. He doesn't typically make excuses, fan frustration and accompanying misinterpretations notwithstanding.
Andy from Alpharetta, GA
Why was Thomas not targeted at the end at all? Why are we throwing to No. 2??
Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas caught two passes for 22 yards and was targeted four times Sunday. Receivers in many cases aren't "targeted" because defenders cover a play a certain way that makes other receivers a better target. Lawrence threw to Johnson on the final interception because he had man coverage there and the defense called for him to throw it there.
Ronnie from St. Pete, FL
Well O-Man, looks like the online journalists were right on the money on the Jags being historically bad all along. At what point does Jaguars Owner Shad Khan start believing about the little thing called "taking accountability" for this mess of a season?
"online journalists"
Limo Bob from Neptune Beach
My only complaints with the play-calling was the entire first half and the last play.
It's always play-calling in the NFL, particularly in the entire first half when the offense struggles and when the last play is an interception.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
This team is a damn doormat. I couldn't fathom 2-7 when we went into Week 1. Everyone is getting fired. We're resetting again. I'm so sick of this garbage, but it has brought me to apathy. Apathy has led to me saving a TON of money, so that's a positive. It's just ridiculous that under this ownership the football has been so bad for so long and often.
Josh is not happy with the direction of Jaguars football in 2024.
James from Socorro, NM
1-5 in one-score games is not very good.
No, it's not. The Jaguars have proven this season that they're not good in one-score games. Those are games that good teams find a way to win because good, elite players make plays in those situations. The NFL in a very real sense is defined by those games. The Jaguars were very good in those games from midway through the 2022 season until December of last season. Now, they're not.
James from Socorro, NM
Do most NFL teams have more turnovers than first downs in a half?
No.
Sprinkle from Duval
The "aggressive" coach doesn't go for it on fourth-and 3, down 6? That was the chance. Everyone watching knew that was it, that was your one chance.
Everyone was wrong. The Jaguars had a first down on the Eagles 13-yard line with 1:42 remaining and trailed 28-23. A fourth-and-3 situation early in the fourth quarter therefore was not the Jaguars' "one chance."
James from Titusville, NJ
Big-time players make big-time plays at big-time moments. Man, it would be nice to find guys like that. Bad teams lose close. Bad franchises lose consistently. I just don't know how this cycle gets broken. Firing everybody is stupid while grinding onwards towards results is failing before our eyes. I give up.
Your frustration is fair and speaks to the dilemma facing any NFL owner whose team is struggling. It's why you don't make quick-trigger decisions based on or two games. It's why Jaguars Owner Shad Khan typically and correctly during his tenure had exhibited patience. You assess, judge and eventually move in a measured way. It's a difficult task and it's why being an NFL owner isn't easy.
Tony from Johns Creek, GA
O, a tale of two halves. And when the Jags had a chance to pull the upset Trevor let them down.
This wasn't Lawrence's best game. He was playing without two key receivers and adjusting to that, so my sense is that played a factor. He did some good things at the end, but I didn't love the throw to Johnson at game's end. That wasn't great, but I've seen less understandable interceptions. Lawrence, like the rest of the Jaguars Sunday, played with a lot of guts. They have to start better. No doubt.
Gerry from Jacksonville
Way to mismanage the clock in the last possession. And, what a beauty of a play to try to score! Of course you would pass to your third-string running back. Why bother running the ball a bit? Or maybe passing to 7 or 17? This coach has lost his edge. How can the players trust these guys?
It's always coaching in the NFL.
Roscoe from Southside
I know you claimed that you were impressed with Trevor last week, but I'm interested to hear your evaluation of this week's performance. Do you think he will develop to the point that he can make good decisions at critical times?
I didn't "claim" to be impressed with Lawrence last week. I was impressed. "Claim" suggests that I was lying or being disingenuous and neither was the case. I liked how Lawrence played through much of the second half Sunday with unfamiliar receivers. I don't know that the final play was a bad decision. Not all interceptions are bad decisions. Sometimes they're interceptions.
Joel J from Jacksonville
It was almost the Jags?
Good one, Joel.
Scott from Jax in De
Why is this franchise so content with being a losing organization and an embarrassment to this fan base? This losing culture has gone on waaaaaay to long and the owner doesn't seem to mind. Haven't heard a peep from Shad about his team since the preseason. I find it amazing that Freddy T, Bucky, Tony etc., etc., and the rest of the world can see all the glaring issues and problems with this team, yet nothing changes. This team continuously breaks the hearts of its fan base, O-man. When will there be change?
The Jaguars aren't content with losing. They had winning records each of the last two seasons, won the AFC South title in 2022 and came within a game of winning it in 2023. That doesn't mean this season is good. It's why the Jaguars didn't "change the culture" this past offseason. Khan spoke to the media in London the day before the team's Week 6 loss to the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Andrew from Argyle
John, this team always does just enough to keep me watching until the bitter end and I hate it.
Fair.
Mac from Jax Beach
This team is so frustrating! Plenty of time. Why don't you call a run play to throw them off? Low percentage pass to a running back.
Good plays are ones that work. Bad plays don't. If a run play to "throw them off" loses a yard or gets nothing, then you're facing second down and you've wasted a down.
Brandon from Arkansas
O Man, I know the Jags are down a lot of players because of injuries, but I'm about ready to say Trevor Lawrence isn't it. He continues to make "rookie" mistakes time after time. A quarterback in his fourth year should just be making better decisions than he does. I'm officially getting off the Trevor Train!! Bring on Mac Jones in my opinion.
Sunday's loss was frustrating. The Jaguars aren't going to "bring on Mac Jones." Nor should they.
Ron from Orlando, FL
First drive, Little gets demolished and ends up on the ground leading to a third-down sack. Why would we trade yet another starter for peanuts, only to fill the position with a backup?
The Jaguars traded left tackle Cam Robinson because his contract expires after the 2024 season and he was unlikely to return in 2025. Sunday's starting left tackle, Walker Little, allowed a first-quarter Sunday that was not a particularly impressive play.
Dave from Jacksonville
This is such an unbelievable mess, especially after the expectations set by the owner this offseason. He has to see the franchise is broken, right? If he keeps the front office in tact (read as: GM Trent Baalke) after this season, I will really question his judgment.
OK.
Ishmael from Barranquilla, Colombia
JO- Is Luke F in the witness protection program?
No. Jaguars center Luke Fortner, a starter the past two seasons, is on the roster and has been active as the backup to Mitch Morse in all nine games this season.
Stan from Jacksonville
This is becoming tiresome.
Fair.
