Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson pauses during a press conference after an NFL football game at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears in London, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Published on October 13, 2024 at 2:21 pm
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In what could have been the most important game of the season, the Jaguars showed why they are more likely to be in the chase for the top overall draft pick than the playoffs this season.
A mistake-filled 35-16 loss to the Chicago Bears in London dropped the Jaguars to 1-5. It’s a hole teams rarely dig out of.
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The self-inflicted wounds started early. On the Jaguars’ first offense drive, wide receiver Gabe Davis and reserve tackle Walker Little both committed penalties in the red zone. But the Jaguars seemed to overcome those errors before Davis dropped a would-be touchdown pass and the Jags settled for a field goal.
Still, the Jaguars took a lead into the second quarter for the first time since the season opener. That, for the most part, encapsulated the game’s high points.
Chicago scored a go-ahead touchdown on a Caleb Williams pass to tight end Cole Kmet on a play where Jaguars’ linebacker Devin Lloyd was duped by some misdirection.
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Then, after Tank Bigsby returned the ensuing kickoff to the 43-yard line, the Jaguars tried to give the ball away. On the first snap of the drive, Trevor Lawrence’s pass to Travis Etienne was initially called a fumble that was recovered by the Bears. Replay showed it was not a catch.
The Jaguars still went three-and-out.
Later, safety Andre Cisco intercepted a pass by Williams. But the Jaguars couldn’t earn a single first down on the following drive.
The resulting punt to the Bears’ 15-yard line gave Chicago a long field with just over three minutes left before halftime. The Jaguars’ defense couldn’t stop the Bears and their rookie quarterback. Williams drove Chicago downfield for another touchdown to give the Bears a 14-3 halftime lead.
It was just the beginning of the Jaguars’ foibles.
Whatever halftime speech was given, it did not improve matters. On the first snap of the second half, tight end Evan Engram fumbled. Unlike the Jaguars, who did not capitalize on the earlier turnover, the Bears did. A seven-play drive led to another touchdown pass by the rookie first-overall pick.
Then, late in the third quarter, came a play that was as emblematic of the Jaguars’ struggles as any. On third down and eight, the Jaguars appeared to have forced a Bears’ punt. But the defense was called for 12 men on the field.
Another self-inflicted wound.
On the following play, a third down and three, cornerback Ronald Darby was called for defensive holding.
That led to a Bears touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter. If the outcome was still in doubt before the play, it was not after. 28-10.
A Lawrence interception on a poor read led to another Bears touchdown.
At key moments in the game, the Jaguars did not make plays. That’s why this team isn’t going to contend for the playoffs. What is the solution? It is not likely forthcoming soon.
The seats under the general manager and the head coach are as hot as you’ll find in mid-October. It appears probably that—at some point—there will be blood. Timing is now the question.
Cole Pepper has covered sports in Jacksonville since 1996, most recently for News4Jax. He is currently broadcast director for Sporting Club Jacksonville and has called play-by-play for a number of teams, including the Suns, Tomcats, Jacksonville University, Sharks and The Bolles School football. He also served as the studio host for the Jaguars Radio Network.
