No process is linear and nobody expected the Jacksonville Jaguars to become a Super Bowl contender in Year 1 of the Urban Meyer era. However, it was a bit shocking to see the Jags get soundly beaten by the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8.
Heading into the game, the Jags looked like the better team and have improved in recent weeks. Meanwhile, the Hawks were coming off three losses in a row, had won just one more game than Jacksonville in 2021, and were without quarterback Russell Wilson. This was the perfect game for the Jags to build momentum and show they were on the right path. Alas, they squandered the opportunity and looked sloppy, and without direction in a game where they couldn’t score or stop Seattle from doing so.
So what exactly went wrong? How did the game become a blowout? These three statistics paint a pretty good picture.
1. The Jacksonville Jaguars couldn’t complete third downs.
In the days ahead of the game, Jaguars offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell told the local media the team put an emphasis on third-down efficiency during the BYE and noted the offense had to get much better in that key statistic.
After all, the Jags ranked 31st in third-down efficiency after seven weeks of football. Things didn’t get much better against the Seahawks, going 5-of-14 on third downs and 1-of-4 on fourth downs. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence deserves some of the blame but so do the wide receivers for dropping passes. Penalties didn’t help matters either, so the Jags will have to go back to the drawing board, and continue to work on an issue that has affected them all year long.
2. The Jacksonville Jaguars couldn’t stop Geno Smith in Week 8.
Ok, so the Jaguars’ offense couldn’t move the ball on critical downs but how about the defense? How did the unit fare against Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith? Not so well. Edge rushers Dawuane Smoot and Josh Allen constantly cause disruption at the line of scrimmage but the Jags couldn’t stop the 2013 second-round pick.
Smith logged just 195 passing yards but was highly efficient, going 20-of-24. He threw two touchdowns and also found the end zone on a quarterback sneak. He wasn’t flashy but made enough plays to consistently move the chains and the Jaguars had no answer for him. Keep in mind that the Seahawks went 3-of-10 on third downs but made the most of their chances.
Surprisingly, Trevor Lawrence finished with more passing yards than Smith. Also, the Jaguars had more total yards than the Seahawks but couldn’t complete drives and turn the ball often. Meanwhile, Seattle made the most of their possessions even if they didn’t have a great game statistically speaking.
Cornerback Shaquill Griffin knew the team couldn’t look down on Smith and probably they didn’t but they didn’t properly prepare for him either. This was arguably the Jaguars’ worst defensive performance on the season. In other games, they made key stops and they kept their opponents in check. That wasn’t the case against the Seahawks when they made Smith look like an elite quarterback. Next on their schedule is Josh Allen, who is a way better passer. It will be interesting to see what kind of fixes the Jags make ahead of Week 9.
3. The Jaguars were flagged a staggering 12 times in Week 8.
You could make the Jaguars didn’t lose to the Seahawks but rather beat themselves. Linebacker Myles Jack seems to agree with it, as he told the local media the team shot itself on the foot. The Jags were flagged 12 times for 93 yards. That’s a pretty concerning amount. While some of the penalties were more meaningful than others, all of them hurt them and had a role in the outcome of the game.
Some penalties were questionable, such as the roughing the passer defensive tackle Davon Hamilton got in the first quarter. However, most of them showed a lack of preparation and discipline by the coaching staff. The Jaguars committed delay of game penalties twice, and were flagged for having too many men on the field.
Another flag that had an impact in the game was the one outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson drew for defensive offside. The penalty negated an interception cornerback Tre Herndon snagged near the end of the second quarter.
Jaguars players and coaches said they had a good week of practice ahead of the game. Maybe they did but it didn’t show on the field. Josh Allen said the team is already doing several things right, they just need to make a few adjustments and put themselves in situations before they happen, so they can make plays. They will have the chance to show that’s the case against the Bills in Week 9.