Jaguars’ last-minute comeback falls short, lose to Jets in Week 16

Week 16 wasn’t kind to the Jacksonville Jaguars. They came close to pulling off an upset but ultimately lost 26-21 to the New York Jets. If that wasn’t enough, a handful of players had to leave the game with injuries.

Even though both teams were without several players due to a COVID-19 outbreak, the game was pretty competitive and the Jags had a realistic shot to win late in the fourth quarter. Trailing 23-15, Jacksonville’s offense drove 75 yards on eight plays and scored on a 1-yard touchdown by Dare Ogunbowale. The Jags then attempt a two-point conversion but Trevor Lawrence was pressured and threw an incomplete pass.

The Jets subsequently got the ball with 5:21 left on the clock. For a moment, it looked like the Jaguars were going to force them to punt but facing third and 9, Zach Wilson connected with wide receiver Brexton Barrios. On the next play, rookie running back Michael Carter broke off a 37-yard run. Four plays later, New York kicked a field goal, giving them a 26-21 lead.

The Jaguars then stroke back, traveled 74 yards, and got to the Jets goal line, thanks to a 26-yard scramble by Trevor Lawrence. However, Jacksonville couldn’t finish the job once they were on New York’s five-yard line. Their first pass attempt was incomplete. Lawrence then connected with wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. for a four-yard completion but the Jags had to immediately had to spike the ball as the clock was running and were out of timeouts. With the game on the line, Lawrence targeted wide receiver Tavon Austin but the pass fell incomplete.

The Jaguars suffered several injuries against the NY Jets in Week 16.

Not only was the loss frustrating but add the fact that the Jaguars lost several players to injury including linebackers K’Lavon Chaisson and Dakota Allen. However, the biggest blow to the Jaguars came when they lost running back James Robinson to an Achilles injury early in the game. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported it was a torn Achilles and that he will have an MRI done to evaluate the extent of the injury but his season is most likely over.

The Jacksonville Jaguars fought until the last minute and showed they aren’t going through the motions even though they don’t have much to play for. Although they would have loved to win the game, they’re one step closer to landing the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, which would come in handy as they need to make several upgrades to the roster next offseason.