Fast Start, Big Throws from Trevor Lawrence
- Lawrence was sharp early. He hit Dyami Brown for a 9-yard TD on the opening drive.
- He added more scoring with a TD to Brayshul Tuten later in the first half.
Balanced Attack & Etienne’s Role
- Trevor Lawrence did a good job spreading the ball. The run game (with Travis Etienne) helped, particularly later in the game. Etienne caught an 11-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, which gave Jacksonville a temporary lead.
Defense Created Some Turnovers
- Jaguars forced interceptions—three in this game.
- One of those came late (Devin Lloyd interception), which could have been a turning point if the offense had capitalized.
- And by the way, was Devin Lloyd actually?
What Hurt Them / Key Mistakes
- Turnovers & Missed Opportunities
- Despite getting three interceptions, Jacksonville only turned one of them into a touchdown.
- On one drive, they had a chance to score but opted for a field goal (or close to it) instead of being more aggressive—“missed the chip-shot field goal” or passing opportunity.
- Penalties & Coverage Breakdowns
- The Jaguars’ secondary gave up too many big plays once the Bengals settled in, especially after Joe Burrow was injured. Ja’Marr Chase had 14 receptions for 165 yards.
- A controversial pass interference penalty on Travis Hunter late in the game on a 4th-down play extended a Bengals drive that eventually ended with the game-winning sneak. That call loomed large.
- Late Game Execution
- On the final defensive stand, after forcing a 4th down from their own 8, the Jaguars defense stepped up—but then gave up a big conversion due to a penalty.
- Offensively, there was a dropped pass by Brian Thomas Jr. on a 4th-and-5 inside Bengals territory that, if completed, probably would have sealed it.
- Burrow’s Injury & Momentum Shift
- Joe Burrow went out with a toe injury in the second quarter, which could have been a moment the Jaguars capitalized on. They were leading 17-10 at halftime.
- Once Bengals backup Jake Browning came in, they slowly clawed back. The momentum shifted, and the Jaguars had difficulty maintaining pressure and stopping the big plays.
What This Means Moving Forward
- Offensive consistency is a work in progress. Trevor Lawrence showed he can make plays, but turnovers and dropped passes in key spots will continue to be costly.
- Penalty discipline—particularly in late-game situations—is a must. The pass interference on Travis Hunter was especially damaging.
- Defensive adjustments in the secondary are needed—big yardage to Bengals receivers under pressure, especially once they started exploiting mismatches or breakdowns.
- The Jaguars have to find a way to finish strong. When leading late, being able to close out the fourth quarter is crucial.
The Jaguars have a hungry Houston Texan team headed to town this Sunday as they look to get back in the win column with their first divisional game.