CINCINNATI – There’s been a lot of attention paid to Trevor Lawrence’s turnovers and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ inability to score on offense, and that has overshadowed another major issue: The defense doesn’t make plays, either.
That was on full display Thursday night in the Jaguars’ 24-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. After shutting out the Bengals in the first half (the Jaguars led 14-0), the Jaguars gave up two third-quarter TDs, another in the fourth, and let the Bengals drive into place for a game-winning field goal.
The defense wasn’t able to stop Burrow in the second half, allowing the second-year player to throw for 253 yards and two TDs. They got some pressure, but their only sack was nullified by a defensive holding penalty. The Jaguars didn’t force a turnover and gave up four pass plays of 25 or more yards.
“That [turnovers] was an emphasis all the way through. It’s not happening," head coach Urban Meyer said. "Turnovers are created by pressuring the quarterback. It’s created by getting a bunch of hats on the ball and stepping in front of some passes. Emphasis is there. We all know that has to happen. I think we’re minus-eight for the year. That’s got to change.”
Lawrence played his first turnover-free game; James Robinson ran for 78 yards and two TDs, and the offense rolled up 341 yards – all good enough to win the game. But a defense that has forced just one turnover all season couldn’t make a stop when it mattered.
The end result? The Jaguars are now the fourth team in NFL history to lose 19 consecutive games. Only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lost more consecutive games (26). Thursday’s loss also was the 22nd game in a row of allowing at least 20 points, which is the fourth-longest streak in NFL history.
Buy on James Robinson
After getting only 16 carries the first two weeks, Robinson has been the focal point of the offense the past two. That’s the way it should be -- he’s the team’s best offensive player, and game plans should be built around the second-year running back. Getting Robinson going should be the Jaguars’ priority going forward, and it looks like the first two games were the anomaly.
Pivotal play
The Jaguars could have grabbed a three-score lead late in the first half, but instead of kicking a short field goal (with new kicker Matthew Wright), they opted to go for the touchdown from the 1-yard line. Lawrence lined up in the shotgun and ran an option to his right with Robinson, but he kept the ball, dove for the goal line and was stopped just short. Instead of taking a 17-0 lead, the Jaguars got no points. Going for the TD wasn’t the problem. Having the 6-foot-6 Lawrence try a quarterback sneak under center or giving the ball to Robinson, who had 64 yards rushing at that point, was the better play call.
Troubling trend
The Jaguars lost wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. to a fractured left ankle and right guard A.J. Cann to a knee injury. The team is more equipped to handle losing Cann than Chark. Tavon Austin, who was activated off the IR/designated to return list earlier Thursday, was forced into more action, and kick returner Jamal Agnew got some snaps offensively (he had a 27-yard toe-tapping catch). Austin had one catch for 8 yards. Chark had gotten off to a slow start, but he was capable of stretching the field and Lawrence did trust him.