The Jaguars followed up a win over the Buffalo Bills with a flat first half and another step back in a 23-17 loss to the Colts in Indianapolis. The Jaguars fell to 2-7 on the season. Here are my four biggest takeaways:
The offense is lacking
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Since the bye week, the Jaguars have scored a total of 33 points in three games. Trevor Lawrence slipped in those games, completing only 54.8% of his passes over the three games, including 16 of 35 against the Colts. It’s not all on Lawrence. There were five drops on Sunday, but Lawrence needs to be more accurate with his passing if he is going to revitalize the Jaguars offense. The Jaguars are lacking in talent on the offensive side of the ball, but the output of the past three weeks is abysmal.
Slow start
The Jaguars were behind almost from the beginning of the game. By the time the first quarter was over, Indianapolis had scored a touchdown on a blocked punt, and one on the ground by Jonathan Taylor, who ran for 93 yards in the first quarter. The only sign of life from the Jaguars came on a 66-yard run by Jamal Agnew, the longest rush by a Jaguars player since Leonard Fournette ran for 66 yards against the Jets in 2019. It was also the longest scoring run since Fournette’s 75-yard touchdown run against the Rams in 2017. Still, somehow, with 2:17 left in the game, Lawrence began a drive at the 25-yard line, trailing by six. But Lawrence fumbled with less than a minute to play and the Colts held on for the win.
Not so special teams
The Jaguars special teams could have made this game a much different contest. Take away the blocked punt for a touchdown, missed extra point and missed field goal, and the margin would have been 11 points different. The Jaguars are not a team that can afford to have special teams giveaway points in great numbers. That was proved against the Colts.
What’s next?
The Jaguars return home to host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. The 49ers will be coming off a short week. They host the Rams on Monday Night Football. They’ll also be flying across three time zones and playing a game that will feel like it’s kicking off at 10 a.m. West Coast time. If the Jaguars can remember to show up in the first quarter, they have a chance to pick up their third win.