The Jacksonville Jaguars entered Week 9 sitting on a five-game losing streak and for a moment, it looked like they were going to lose another game yet again, trailing the Las Vegas Raiders 20-0 at one point of the first half. But then, running back Travis Etienne scored a touchdown that sparked a comeback and eventually the Jags’ win, their third one of the year.
Jacksonville kept feeding Etienne the ball in the second half while Trevor Lawrence played mistake-free. The defense also did its part and didn’t allow a single point after surrounding 20 before halftime.
Doug Pederson hopes the Jaguars can capitalize on the win vs. the Raiders
The Jaguars should be thrilled they ended they’re losing streak and have tied their win totals from 2021. On the other hand, there’s plenty of work left. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be 3-6. Then again, Doug Pederson told the media after the game he believes beating Las Vegas represents a step in the right direction.
“You don’t want to put too much emphasis on wins and losses but this is a step in the right direction”, Pederson said. “We’ve been really close over the course of the season and it’s great to see our team finish”.
“It’s great to see our defense finish offensively in the second half and make plays. Special teams, the great return to start the second half. It’s all a step in the right direction, right? And it’s something that we can build upon. Guys have that feeling, the taste in their mouth and we just got to capitalize and keep improving”, Pederson said.
Pederson is right. Even after defeating the Raiders, the Jags still have a losing record. But they’ll have the chance to build off of it and rack up a few more wins in what’s left of the 2022 season. Here are other takeaways from the Jaguars’ comeback victory over the Raiders.
3. Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence had another efficient performance in Week 9
Trevor Lawrence has been fun to watch at times this season but he’s also had several duds under his name. The former Clemson Tiger had one of his worst games of the year against the New York Giants, throwing two costly interceptions. However, he bounced back and had a pretty efficient outing against the Raiders, going 25-of-31 for 235 yards with one touchdown. Moreover, he added 53 rushing yards in six rushes.
This is the third time Lawrence has completed 80 percent of his passes or more this season. And outside an exchange with running back JaMycal Hasty in a sweep that led to a lost fumble, he avoided making boneheaded mistakes, something he’s failed to do in most of the Jaguars’ losses this season.
After the game, Doug Pederson told the media he was pleased with how Lawrence kept his cool during the game and how he wasn’t fazed even though the Jags were trailing for most of the game.
“It takes moments like this for young players to really understand what the coach is talking about a little bit”, Pederson said. “And he was able to do it, [it] was great to see him do that. He was in a great frame of mind all game. Never once did he show any signs of pain or wavering, nothing like that”.
Lawrence has made several questionable mistakes this season but he’s also made strides and showcased the talent that made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft. Against Las Vegas, he took yet another step in the right direction.
2. Travis Etienne played a key role in the Jaguars’ win over the Raiders
It may be a matter of perception but it feels like forever since the Jags sent James Robinson to the New York Jets. Travis Etienne has certainly helped forget Robinson, as he’s gone on to log 265 yards and three trips to the end zone since the trade happened two weeks ago.
Of course, Etienne’s talent was never in question, even after missing the 2021 season with a Lisfranc injury. Simply, it was curious how he was going to respond to being part of a running back committee. Later when Jacksonville traded Robinson, it was fair to wonder how Etienne was going to fare and he hasn’t disappointed.
In fact, Etienne was highly productive even when he was sharing the backfield with Robison, which is one of the reasons the team’s brass might’ve felt comfortable trading the latter. Since Week 5, the former Clemon Tiger has toted the rock 86 times for 436 yards with four touchdowns.
Although Etienne averaged 3.89 carries against the Raiders, he often gained yards in chunks and moved the chains several times. Moreover, the coaching staff kept feeding him the ball late in the game even though he frequently got stuffed by Las Vegas’ defense in the first half. After the game, Doug Pederson talked about the sophomore’s increased workload.
“We know he’s going to be the guy”, Pederson said. “We just got to continue to find ways to get him touches in this game and really every game moving forward. As a staff, we got to be smart in how much we use them. I don’t want to wear him out but at the same time, we’re going to keep using him in situations to be successful”.
Etienne has 680 rushing yards and if he continues his current pace, he could be among the NFL’s rushing leaders by the end of the season. Heck, at this point, a Pro Bowl berth might not be unrealistic.
1. Dawuane Smoot was one of the Jaguars’ top defenders in Week 9
Cornerback Tyson Campbell is among the Jaguars’ best defenders but defensive end Dawuane Smoot should also make the cut. While Smoot is far from a Pro Bowl-caliber pass rusher, he’s arguably the best one on the roster right now.
Sure, outside Josh Allen leads the team in pressures but hasn’t made enough big plays while Smoot added two more sacks against the Raiders, giving him five for the year. It’s possible that Allen is in the middle of a funk and he could end up turning the switch in the second half of the season, but Smoot has become a mainstay of the Jags’ defense, which is why he may’ve gotten more playing time at outside linebacker in Week 9.
A third-round pick in the 2017 draft, Smoot hasn’t made a start this season but has been an effective piece of Jacksonville’s pass-rush rotation and one of their biggest voice in the locker room. The former Illinois Fighting Illini signed a two-year deal to remain with the Jags last offseason and is slated to become a free agent in 2023.
The team’s brass will be working with a tight budget next offseason but they should strongly consider bringing Smoot back, which might be a tough feat to pull off if he keeps playing the way he has in recent weeks, as other teams with more cap space should be in a position to give him a big contract.