DENVER, Colo. — The Jaguars started off strong, gaining control of a 13-3 lead, but ultimately sputtered out in the second half. A big reason for that was simply a difference between the trenches as the Broncos’ pass-rush and pass-protection overwhelmed Jacksonville.
Let’s review the Jags’ week two loss and look at some of the key stats, takeaways from the game.
Let’s start with the trenches, shall we? According to Pro Football Focus, the Jaguars recorded 11 pressures against the Broncos. Of those 11, just five came from the DL as Jaguars’ linebackers and defensive backs accounted for the other six, over half the pressure total.
Both Josh Hines-Allen and Arik Armstead were completely shutout, recording zero pressures.
Through two games, Armstead has yet to record a pressure and has a 0.0% Pass-Rush Win % on the season. The interior was a concern coming into the season and it remains one through two games.
Speaking of pressure, Lawrence struggled with it as the Broncos’ pass-rush battered the Jags’ offensive line. Lawrence was pressured on 35.5% of his drop backs, sacked on two occasions with multiple other sacks nullified due to penalties. It was a tough go of it for the offensive line.
Lawrence completed just two of nine pass attempts against pressure for 36 yards and an interception. Of Lawrence’s 189 yards, 153 came from a clean pocket, alongside a 75% completion rate. This was the first game without a Trevor Lawrence touchdown since Week 3 of last season.
If any Jaguar had a good afternoon, it was, unsurprisingly, Parker Washington. Washington recorded his sixth straight 80+ yard game, collecting seven receptions for 98 yards. His 89 completed air yards were a career-high besting last week’s total of 79 yards. The Jags are targeting him more downfield now than ever.
This was a good matchup to see where the Jaguars fare against a quality opponent whom they might see later down the line. Until then, however, the Jaguars have some work to do along both sides of the trenches.
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