Travis Etienne’s late TD run not enough to help Jaguars get over Broncos

Watching the Jacksonville Jaguars fall to the Denver Broncos in Week 8 feels like deja vu. For the nth time this season, they had a lead early in the game but they couldn’t hold onto it and ended up losing. Similarly, Trevor Lawrence had a chance to pull off the comeback but once again, he couldn’t seize the opportunity.

Trailing 10-7, running back Travis Etienne scored a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Jags the lead and for a moment, it looked like they were going to be able to win. However, the defense put up no resistance and allowed Russell Wilson and the Broncos’ offense to march down the field. Running back Latavius Murray capped a seven-play, 80-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run.

But the game wasn’t over yet. Lawrence had the chance to get the Jags back on the scoreboard. Alas, he threw a pass that ended in the hands of K’Waun Williams and gave the ball back to the Broncos, effectively putting a nail in the Jaguars’ coffin.

The Jaguars should be concerned about Trevor Lawrence.

Trevor Lawrence might very well be the Jaguars’ quarterback of the future but hasn’t shown enough to show he is. Sure, he’s been in the league for less than two seasons but he was expected to make a leap in Year 2 under head coach Doug Pederson and that leap hasn’t come yet. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft has certainly made strides but not enough to help Jacksonville win games.

The defense isn’t free of blame though. The Jaguar’s brass made several splash signings in free agency but Mike Caldwell’s unit has also played a role in the team’s five-game losing streak. The Broncos had the worst scoring defense in the NFL ahead of Week 8 and still managed to score 21 points against the Jaguars.

The one bright spot in the Jags’ Week 8 loss was Travis Etienne, who’s shown moving on from James Robinson might have been the right call. Against the Broncos, Etienne toted the rock 24 times for 156 with one touchdown, showing he can carry the load and thrive without Robinson. Here’s his touchdown run in case you hadn’t seen it.

Now 2-6, the Jaguars find themselves near the cellar of the league. They started the 2022 season strong but have regressed considerably after defeating the Indianapolis Colts and the Los Angeles Chargers in back-to-back wins. After the loss to the Broncos, they need to be wondering what’s gone wrong.