Blowout Loss Raises Doubts for Lawrence and Jaguars After 0-3 Start

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The struggles of the Jacksonville Jaguars this season have been painfully evident. Last week, quarterback Trevor Lawrence candidly addressed the team’s disappointing performance. Following a crushing 47-10 defeat to the Buffalo Bills, head coach Doug Pederson echoed Lawrence’s sentiments.

“It’s real shocking,” Pederson stated after watching his team fall to a disheartening 0-3 record. “Very disappointed. You hate to say it, but the reality of it is, this is who we are right now. We’re not a very good football team. And we’ve got to get it fixed.”

The Jaguars faced additional challenges as they returned home, experiencing flight delays due to mechanical issues with their plane. On the field, their offense has managed a mere 40 points in three games, consistently struggling to maintain possession. As for the defense, it has faltered significantly, allowing the Bills to score touchdowns on all five of their first-half possessions, before racking up 288 yards and converting 6-of-8 third downs as well as both fourth downs.

This marks the first time in eight years, across his coaching career including his tenure in Philadelphia, that Pederson has started a season with three losses. Lawrence’s situation is dire as well; he has now lost eight consecutive starts, with his last victory dating back to November 26, when the Jaguars beat Houston 24-21.

At that time, the Jaguars were riding high, boasting an 8-3 record before finishing at 9-8 and missing the playoffs. The team’s inability to carry over any momentum from the previous season has raised significant concerns about Lawrence’s confidence on the field, as well as Pederson’s ability to lead the team effectively.

“Disappointment would be an understatement,” Lawrence reflected after a week where he emphasized the need for open discussions regarding the team’s mistakes. “It’s just one of those times when we don’t have any momentum. It seems like everyone takes their turn in making a bad play at the wrong time, including myself.”

The Jaguars kicked off their season by squandering a 14-0 lead and then a 17-7 lead, eventually losing to Miami 20-17. The subsequent week brought another slow start, resulting in an 18-13 loss to Cleveland despite their efforts.

In the game against Buffalo, the Jaguars trailed 34-3 at halftime—setting a franchise record for their largest deficit at that point in a game. Lawrence completed 21 of 38 passes for 178 yards, managing a touchdown pass to tight end Brenton Strange in the second half. However, a costly interception, which came from an errant throw intended for receiver Brian Thomas Jr., further complicated matters. This interception led to an easy touchdown pass from Josh Allen to Khalil Shakir, increasing Buffalo’s lead to 27-3.

Lawrence, who finished the first half with only 59 passing yards on 10 of 22 attempts, acknowledged the need for accountability. He primarily placed the burden of responsibility on himself. “I’ve got to play really well for us to win,” said Lawrence, who signed a $275 million contract extension this past June. “That’s the NFL. The quarterback has to play well every week to give us a shot to win. I don’t feel like I’ve done that consistently enough, so I put that on myself.”

The struggles of the defense compounded the frustration. Pederson was straightforward in his assessment: “I need everybody to coach and play better. Let’s leave it at that.”

Looking ahead, the Jaguars are preparing to face two AFC South opponents, starting with a matchup against Houston on Sunday. “We need to move on and we need to flush it,” Lawrence said. He emphasized the importance of re-establishing their identity, stating, “We felt like we had an opportunity in a prime-time game to show who we are. That’s not who we are. We know that, but it’s how it looked like we are. We’ve got to fix it. It’s on us.”

Source: AP News