Jacksonville Jaguars: Mike Glennon gives offense a boost in 25-27 loss

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense showed signs of life in Week 12.

Although the Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t suddenly become an offensive juggernaut in their 25-27 loss to the Cleveland Browns, they were able to move the ball better than they did in the last two weeks thanks to the change they made at the quarterback position.

Mike Glennon started for the ‘Jags’ one week after rookie Jake Luton struggled against the Pittsburgh Steeler. Even though the veteran quarterback was far from perfect against the Browns and failed to complete key passes on a couple of two-point conversions, he represented an improvement over the Oregon State standout.

In the first half alone, Glennon was 11-of-18 for 149 yards and one touchdown, which was almost as much as Luton’s totals in Week 11. He slowed down in the second half but finished the game with 20 completions for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Although the Jaguars dropped their tenth consecutive game, the offense performed better than it had in recent games.

Glennon got help from running back James Robinson, who started hot and racked up 12 carries for 63 yards and average 5.3 yards per carry in the first half. He finished the game with 22 carries for 128 yards and one touchdown and looked like the team’s best offensive player once again.

The Jaguars offense also got contributions from rookie wide receiver Collin Johnson, who made the most of his start and was the team’s leading receiver. The Texans standout hauled in four receptions for 98 yards and caught Glennon’s first touchdown of the day.

Overall, the Jaguars’ offense was able to put some points on the scoreboard in the first half, but their defense wasn’t able to stop the Browns from scoring and let quarterback Baker Mayfield complete passes at ease. They went into halftime trailing 13-17 after Mayfield threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to tight end Austin Hooper.

The Jacksonville Jaguars kept fighting in the second half.

Things changed in the third quarter when linebacker Joe Schobert forced wide receiver Harrison Bryant to fumble the ball. This Jacksonville team wasted no time and capitalized on the turnover by scoring on a six-play, 30-yard drive following the fumble. Up 19-17, the Jaguars attempted a two-point conversion but failed.

Down 19-17, the Browns took the lead the following drive with a 54-yard field goal by Cody Parker. Leading 20-19, Cleveland didn’t stop there and marched down the field a couple of drives later to score on a one-yard run by Nick Chubb.

Late in the fourth quarter, the Jaguars had a chance to tie the game after James Robinson ran the ball into the end zone on a four-yard rush. Trailing 25-27, the Jaguars couldn’t complete the two-point conversion that would have helped them tie.

Looking back, Mike Glennon played significantly better than Jake Luton did the last couple of weeks, but the Jaguars fell short and lost 25-27. After 11 games, they are 1-10 and haven’t won a game since the season opener.