After showing steady growth in the first few weeks of the 2021 season, Trevor Lawrence seems to have regressed in the last few games. However, a closer look will reveal he’s not entirely at fault for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ inability to score points.
Sure, Lawrence has been off-target at times, and there are throws he probably wishes he could have back. In Week 10, he lost a fumble on the last drive, putting an end to the Jags’ comeback attempt against the Indianapolis Colts. Having said that, he’s not gotten much help from his surrounding cast. His skill-position players have dropped several passes that could have tipped the scale in the Jags’ favor.
Also, the Jaguars are being flagged at an alarming rate. Against the Colts, the Jaguars’ offense committed seven penalties. You won’t be able to sustain many drives when you’re being flagged that many times. Head coach Urban Meyer told the media precisely that, and also said he and the team are behind Lawrence, which is the only thing they can do.
The former Clemson Tiger is just a rookie. He’s going to have a few more games like the one against the Colts before he turns into the franchise quarterback the Jaguars expect Also, it’s easy to forget the team is in the middle of a rebuild, and his supporting cast is far from optimal.
The half-full cup is that this Jaguars team looks significantly better than their 2020 counterpart. Their defense is playing at a high level and keeps showing even if they aren’t racking up wins just yet. Without further ado, here are three studs and three duds from the Jaguars’ heartbreaking loss to the Colts in Week 10.
These 3 players gave the Jaguars a chance to win in Week 10.
1. James Robinson, running back.
Second-year running back James Robinson suited up against the Colts after missing Week 9 with a heel injury. The former Redbird was listed as questionable ahead of the game and was a game-time decision but ultimately played.
Although Robinson had a limited workload, he made the most of his carries, toting the rock 12 times for 57 yards and one touchdown. Before his injury, he was among the NFL rushing leaders and should get a bigger workload against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11.
2. Tyson Campbell, cornerback.
The Jaguars’ coaching staff has stood behind rookie Tyson Campbell even though he’s struggled at times. Looking at this performance in Week 10, it’s easy to see why. The former Georgia Bulldog finished the game with five total tackles and one pass defensed, a pass attempt on third-and-4. The Colts went on to punt on the next play
Also, Campbell didn’t give up a big play, allowing just three receptions on six targets for 28 yards. During the preseason, the rookie corner had a rough time playing the ball but has made strides throughout the season. The Jaguars’ trust in him seems to be paying off.
3. Taven Bryan, defensive tackle.
Defensive tackle Taven Bryan consistently applied pressure in the interior for the second consecutive game. Who would have thought before the start of the season when he seemed at risk of either being released or traded?
Bryan has taken advantage of his chances to make plays after being made inactive in Week 6. After having arguably the best game of his career in Week 9, the 29th overall pick in the 2018 draft had two quarterback hits and frequently got the best of Colts guard Quenton Nelson. Moreover, he posted a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 82.5, the highest among Jaguars’ defenders in Week 10.
These 3 players contributed to Jaguars’ loss to the Colts in Week 10.
1. Chris Manhertz, tight end.
As previously mentioned, penalties hurt the Jaguars in Week 10, and tight end Chris Manhertz was the biggest offender in that regard. He was flagged a shocking three times, a false start, an offensive holding, and an illegal blindside block.
What makes this even more frustrating is that Manhertz only played 24 offensive snaps and didn’t record a stat. The tight end did a good job as a blocker but his three penalties played a role in his inability to move the ball.
2. Jawaan Taylor, right tackle.
Again, penalties had a negative impact, and right tackle Jawwan Taylor was flagged twice for offensive holding. After a few solid outings early in the season, the 2019 second-round pick hasn’t played well in recent weeks.
In total, Taylor has been flagged seven times this season and has already surpassed his 2020 totals. He won’t likely surpass the career-high (14) he set in 2019. Nevertheless, the Jaguars’ brass surely expected more from the former Florida Gator this season.
3. Jamal Agnew, Dan Arnold and Laviska Shenault Jr.
So it’s been established that Trevor Lawrence can play better. It’s equally true that he needs more help from his teammates. The rookie passer went 16-of-35 for 162 yards but the Jaguars’ skill-position players were credited with four drops, one by Dan Arnold, two by Jamal Agnew, and one by Laviska Shenault Jr. If they had made those catches, the outcome of the game might have changed.
Speaking of helping Lawrence, the offensive line allowed 15 total pressures and three sacks. The rookie passer was constantly on the move and had to scramble several times. Moving forward, the Jaguars need to clean up those issues.