Analyst argues Jaguars shouldn't hit panic button yet (but there are concerns)

The Jacksonville Jaguars have lost two games to start the season. Fortunately for them, there's still plenty of football left in 2024. Having said that, the Jags are dealing with several issues and they'll need to fix them if they want to turn things around. Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus certainly believes that they have the pieces to right the ship but will have their work cut out.

Locker took a look at several teams that were 0-2 and talked about whether they should be worried. When it comes to the Jaguars, he believes they shouldn't hit the panic button just yet but must improve their play trenches, and do a better job of wrapping up tackles.

"A major headache is the offensive line, which sits 25th in PFF pass-blocking grade and 29th in run-blocking grade. Lawrence has been pressured on 38.7% of his dropbacks and is averaging only 2.37 seconds before he deals with a defender in his face. In particular, second-year tackle Anton Harrison has regressed, already allowing seven pressures.

Defensively, Jacksonville has not been able to wrap up well whatsoever, with the team’s 16% missed tackle rate tying for 24th. Ryan Nielsen’s contingent has been ineffective in several other categories, including run defense (22nd in team grade) and coverage (22nd)."

The good news is that the Jaguars have the personnel to win football games. On offense, rookie Brian Thomas Jr. has been a revelation. In two games, the Louisiana native has hauled in six receptions on eight targets for 141 yards with one touchdown. He also drew a huge pass interference flag in the opener that put Jacksonville within scoring distance.

Even though Thomas already has a big target share, it would be a good idea for the coaching staff to make him an even bigger part of the offense. After all, he's proven that the transition to the NFL was too big for him.

On defense, defensive end Josh Hines-Allen keeps making an impact. Although numbers don't pop off the stat sheet (one sack in two contests), his 90.2 Pro Football Focus overall grade was the highest among pass rushers in the whole league. Similarly, defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen praised the former Kentucky Wildcat for his work in the season opener, even though it wasn't reflected in his statline.

On the other hand, there are several issues holding back the Jaguars. Execution is one of them, whether it's on offense or defense. That falls on the coaching staff. Doug Pederson has said as much, pointing out that maybe they're not putting the players in a position to succeed.

Trevor Lawrence also must work on his game to help the Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence has been under scrutiny after signing a five-year deal worth $275 million that ensures he'll be behind center for years to come. Dubbed a generational talent coming out of college, No. 16 has played at an elite level at times but has also been inconsistent. During the Jaguars' 0-2 start, he's competed 51.0 percent of his throws for 382 yards with one touchdown.

Lawrence isn't the only reason the Jags are losing but he must also play better. For that to happen, the offensive line must do a better job of protecting him. It's just two games into the season but they've already surrendered a concerning seven sacks and 10 quarterback hits. The playcalling also needs to improve.

Doug Pederson, for his part, believes that Jacksonville has dealt with several tough situations the past two games but Lawrence has overall done a good job.

"I guess if you evaluate Trevor, and I know the quarterback position, and it's a lot of scrutiny, there's a lot of issues that we have, and I say a lot, there's a few issues that we need, just assignment errors that need to be fixed," Pederson responded when asked how he would evaluate Lawrence the past two games. "Obviously, he's done a good job. Can he can be better? Yeah, he can be better, and that's all part of just continuing to grow. "

Pederson continued. "You look at, we've had more backed-up drives in two games than we've had in two years to start. So our starting field position has been tough. So there's some challenges there too, right? So we face some certain situations there. But, he's on track. He's doing some really good things. The game the other day, we just didn't have enough opportunities in the first half. He's made some really good throws down the field to Brian [Thomas Jr.], and we continue to push the ball down the field."

"I think too, when it's not there, he's done a good job of pulling it down, either running or, you know, finding the back. So we got to keep working."

Pederson is right the Jags have faced unfavorable situations the past two games. Then again, good teams are able to get past them.

Ultimately, the Buffalo Bills present a great opportunity for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Beating them will be no walk in the part, and to come out on top, they'll need to fix all those areas they've struggled in. If they don't, it may indeed be time to press the panic button.

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