The Jacksonville Jaguars started the 2023 season with a built-in benefit as the one playoff-ready staff in a division of bottom-feeders. After final January’s Wild Card comeback towards the Los Angeles Chargers, Trevor Lawrence was anticipated to proceed his ascent each within the AFC and up the ranks of elite quarterbacks league-wide. As a substitute, with the 2024 season on the road, the Jags rolled over and performed useless for a half and couldn’t get up in time, shedding 20-28 to the Tennessee Titans of their common season finale. Of the Week 18 playoff eventualities, Jacksonville’s playoff aspirations had been the largest casualty.
A four-game shedding streak that started in December precipitated their fall. Nonetheless, a smooth touchdown ought to have awaited them towards the Tennessee Titans, who entered with a 6-10 report. Win and so they had been in. And but, the Jaguars managed to squander all of these benefits. Jacksonville entered the ultimate week of the common season with a 90 percent chance of winning the division, in keeping with Professional Soccer Community’s simulator.
Indianapolis lost their rookie starter to injuries whereas treating him like a crash dummy and turned to the reigning hipster prince to ignite their offense. Tennessee oscillated between charting a path to the playoffs by refusing to commerce Derrick Henry and shedding one-score video games whereas planning for his or her future. The Houston Texans had been a corporation reeling from Deshaun Watson’s ignominious pressured exit amid sexual assault allegations and the entrance workplace is run by a neophyte who was promoted from New England Patriots character coach.
Calvin Ridley’s presence after lacking the 2022 season serving a year-long suspension associated to playing didn’t present the enhance they anticipated. Over the course of the season, Ridley proved he’s an satisfactory goal, however not a real primary. The Ridley-Lawrence connection by no means hit its stride and on the ultimate drive of 2024, one play encapsulated their season.
On their last drive Lawrence launched a deep ball to a large open Ridley that ricocheted off of his fingertips. Had the ball been thrown half a foot shorter, Ridley would have had sufficient house to name in a wager on his approach to the endzone. As a substitute, the Jaguars offense stalled out and turned it over on downs in an uninspiring last possession.
That wasn’t on Ridley. Within the first half Lawrence and Ridley tag teamed on a 60-yard touchdown, however in a pivotal matchup, Lawrence threw a pair of interceptions, dropped one, might solely engineer two landing drives, and his last final gasp go try of the season wasn’t even within the neighborhood of Evan Engram. In calm waters, Lawrence can steer the ship, however he’s but to show he can elevate the Jaguars offense to the following stage. Heading into an offseason the place he’ll be negotiating a contract extension. The jury can be out on Lawrence’s ceiling.
Lawrence appeared to show the nook final season however an damage plagued season, turnovers and stiff playmaking capacity has outlined his third season. So far in Lawrence’s profession, he’s been a high-stakes gambler. What will get forgotten about his watershed playoff breakthrough towards the Chargers is that he additionally threw 4 picks. To his credit score, Lawrence caught it out behind one of many league’s worst offensive strains. The Jaguars finest shot to tie Sunday’s contest got here on a 4th and purpose from the 1-yard-line. His sneak try was blown up within the backfield earlier than Lawrence might even get a whiff of the endzone.
Heading into subsequent season, the Jaguars face a unique panorama than the one they confronted on the onset of 2023. The Houston Texans are the division’s en vogue staff and CJ Stroud has separated himself from Lawrence within the subsequent technology of higher echelon quarterbacks tier. Even with out his full complement of weapons and his favourite goal, Tank Dell, Stroud stood on enterprise down the stretch. Lawrence performed effectively sufficient to earn an extension, however not sufficient to match the hype he arrived with because the highest-graded quarterback prospect in a decade.
As soon as Lawrence’s contract extension hits, Jacksonville’s window to go on spending sprees on the expertise round him will dwindle. In a league the place circumstances change at mild pace, Lawrence is already nearing a crossroads.
Observe DJ Dunson on X: @cerebralsportex
