The after spending the week in London preparing for the matchup, the Jacksonville Jaguars head into their week 8 bye week at 4-3 after being dismantled by the Los Angeles Rams who arrived on Saturday.
Matthew Stafford threw for five touchdowns without his leading receiver, while Jacksonville struggled to put points on the board when the game was close. Here’s everything you need to know from Jacksonville’s Week seven 35 to 7 defeat to the Rams.
Live blog:
Catch up on all the big plays and best moments from tonight’s game in our live blog!
Pregame Notes:
The following Jaguars did not play in this one due to injury: LB Devin Lloyd and TE Quintin Morris. Lloyd and Morris were both injured during the team’s Week 6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. DT Khalen Saunders Sr., S Kahlef Hailassie, RB Cody Schrader, and OL Wyatt Milum were the Jacksonville healthy scratches.
Additionally, the following Jacksonville players left Sunday’s game due to injury:
- WR Tim Patrick (groin)
- S Eric Murray (neck)
- WR Brian Thomas Jr left the game with just over 3-minutes remaining with what looked to be a shoulder issue. With the game out of reach, he did not return.
- WR Dyami Brown temporarily left the game with a leg injury before returning a series later
Los Angeles leading receiver, Puka Nacua and starting right tackle Rob Havenstein were both held out in London due to ankle injuries. Rams RB Jarquez Hunter, OG Beaux Limmer, and DE Desjuan Johnson were healthy scratches.
1st Quarter
The Jacksonville offense kicked off the day, similar to their Week 6 matchup to the Seattle Seahawks, giving up a sack due to early immediate pressure on the play. After a quick three-and-out, Jacksonville punted it to the Rams after a Parker Washington third down incompletion. Los Angeles then moved down the field on a 13-play, 60-yard, 6:55 drive, assisted by a 9-yard fourth down conversion via a Kyren Williams reception and a questionable Unnecessary Roughness penalty on Andrew Wingard.
Los Angeles made their way down the field using their tight ends and running backs, while stretching the Jacksonville linebackers and safeties. (Jaguars 0, Rams 7)
Jacksonville again committed an early gaffe, resulting in the offense falling behind the sticks – this time a Patrick Mekari first down holding penalty, resulting in first-and-20. After a short first down completion, Lawrence was unable to pick up a first down for the second consecutive drive – again, going three-and-out. The Jacksonville first drive was three-and-out, gaining three total yards. The second drive, also a three-and-out netted negative three yards. After the punt, Andrew Wingard was called for pass interference to jump start the Rams drive. The Rams capped a consecutive efficient drive with a 2-yard Davante Adams touchdown over CB Jourdan Lewis. The 6-play, 79-yard, 3:09 drive was highlighted by the Wingard 26-yard penalty, a 23-yard Cody Parkinson reception, again stretching the Jacksonville safeties and linebackers in coverage. (Jaguars 0, Rams 14)
2nd Quarter
The Jacksonville offense received an injection of life on their third series, picking up their first, first down of the game, on the final play of the first quarter. While the offense finally showed some signs of life, with two first downs on the drive, they nevertheless punted the ball back to LA after being put behind the sticks after a first down sack of Lawrence where Trevor attempted to extend the play, taking a three-yard loss instead of throwing the ball away. The Jacksonville defense stood firm, with their best series of the day, holding for a quick three-and-out of their own, with the Rams inside of their 10-yard line. Parker Washington returned the ensuing punt return 61-yards for the Jacksonville touchdown, however, an illegal block in the back flag wiped the points off the board.
Lawrence put together a sharp drive, finding TE Hunter Long and WR Tim Patrick for early gains. However, the promising drive was cut short by a Brian Thomas Jr drop on a third-and-two crosser, which forced the Jaguars to attempt a 50-yard field goal, in lieu of another fourth down conversion attempt.
However, Cam Little’s recent struggles continued, as the kick went wide of the mark. The Rams quickly moved down the short field after the missed field goal with an Adams 1-yard touchdown catch on CB Greg Newsome. Their drive featured chunk plays of:
- 10-yard Kyren Williams rush
- 17-yard defensive pass interference on Jourdan Lewis
- 16-yard Davante Adams catch
- 16-yard screen reception by Cody Parkinson
The rout in cloudy London was on as the Jaguars’ offense struggled to score with Jacksonville’s defense having trouble holding. (Jaguars 0, Rams 21)
Down three scores, Jacksonville’s offense began running more hurry up offense, putting together a second consecutive, effective drive. After picking up chunk gains of 24 and 11-yards, Jacksonville faced fourth-and-7, deciding to go for it. Lawrence attempted to pick up the seven yards using his legs, coming up three-yards short of the mark.
The Rams ran down the remaining clock, heading into the half, up 21-0.
Halftime Stats:
At the half, Rams QB Matt Stafford was 15 of 20 for 127-yards with three passing touchdowns, no interceptions or sacks. He took a 130.6 passer rating into the locker room, all without leading receiver Puka Nacua, who was third in the NFL in receiving yards.
- Score: Jaguars 0, Rams 21
- First downs: Jaguars 6, Rams 17
- Time of possession: Jaguars 14:38, Rams 15:22
- Defensive Sacks: Jaguars 0, Rams 3 for 5-yards lost
- Turnovers forced: Jaguars 0, Rams 0
- Rushing yards: Jaguars 26, Rams 39
- Yards per rush: Jaguars 2.6, Rams 3.9
- Passing yards: Jaguars 100, Rams 127
- Passing yards per attempt: Jaguars 4.5, Rams 6.4
- Third downs: Jaguars 3 of 9 (33%), Rams 1 of 3 (33%)
- Redzone: Jaguars 0-1 (0%), Rams 3-3 (100%)
- Penalties: Jaguars 5 for 66-yards, Rams 0 penalties
- Points left on the field: Jaguars 6-10 points (punt return called back, failed fourth down attempt in redzone instead of FG)
3rd Quarter
The Jaguars’ defense, after a half to gather themselves, opened the second half with a quick three-and-out, as LB Foye Oluokun nearly forced a third down interception, with the Kyren Williams target bouncing off his hands and helmet before falling harmlessly to the turf.
Jacksonville’s offense, again put together a quality 10-play, 53-yard, 3:13 drive using tempo, before facing a fourth and two from the Ram’s 30-yard line. The Jaguars again passed up on the short field goal attempt, with the fourth down Dyami Brown target falling incomplete for a turnover on downs. This was Jacksonville’s 13th point left on the field, as Brown wasn’t ready for the pass.
The Jaguars defense, continued their recent string of success, again holding the Rams to a three and out as Travis Hunter forced an impressive Adams incompletion in his first set of defensive snaps in the game.
The Jaguars’ offense, unfortunately, again decided to go for it on fourth down, in scoring range for the third time on Sunday. Facing fourth and 7 from the 27-yard line, Coen chose to go for the first down instead of the field goal attempt. After a second down Thomas drop on a near-explosive play, Lawrence’s third and fourth down passes fell incomplete; both passed were intended for Travis Hunter.
The defense continued to do everything they could to keep Jacksonville in the game, forcing a third consecutive three and out. After the half, the Jaguars’ defense held the Rams to 29 combined yards on their next four series, as the offense struggled put points on the board from these opportunities. The Jacksonville offense again went three-and-out as Parker Washinton dropped the third down pass.
4th Quarter
Following the punt, the Rams ended any dreams of a comeback, as the Jaguars’ defensive dam finally broke, with a fourth and five neutral zone infraction on Hines-Allen and Oluokun to force fourth and inches. The Rams then wrapped up the 8-play, 62-yard, 4:16 drive with Stafford catching TE Terrance Ferguson behind Dewey Wingard (an issue for his second straight week), on a 31-yard touchdown catch. (Jaguars 0, Rams 28)
The Jacksonville offense finally got on the scoreboard with a beautiful, 34-yard Travis Hunter touchdown catch, his first of the season. (Jaguars 7, Rams 28)
The Jacksonville defensive issues on the backend continued as the Rams put together an 8-play, 45-yard touchdown drive with a 17-yard Jourdan Lewis pass interference while covering Davante Adams. Adams wrapped up the drive with his third touchdown catch of the day. (Jaguars 7, Rams 35)
Travis Hunter’s big day continued as he added an additional 16-yard catch on the following drive, giving him his first career touchdown and a career-high 101-yards receiving on the same day. However, that is where the highlights ended as the Jaguars’ final pass of the game fell incomplete for Dyami Brown in the endzone.
Best highlight:
In what was sort of the only major bright spot for Jacksonville, Travis Hunter’s career day should be highlighted.
Biggest play(s) of the game:
According to rbsdm.com, the biggest play of the game by Expected Points Added (EPA) was Stafford’s 31-yard touchdown to TE Terrance Ferguson, catching Dewey Wingard’s eyes in the backfield, putting the Rams up four scores in the fourth quarter (-4.9 EPA).
Key stats (traditional):
- QB Trevor Lawrence: 23/48 for 296-yards (6.2 YPA), 1 TD, 2 carries for 18-yards (9.0 YPA). Zero turnovers (74.7 passer rating)
- RB Travis Etienne: 8 carries for 44-yards (5.5 YPC)
- WR Travis Hunter: 8 catches on 14-targets for 101-yards (12.6 YPR) and 1 TD
- LB Ventrell Miller: 8 tackles (5 solo)
- Note: No turnovers or sacks by the Jacksonville defense
View the full box score here
Game balls:
- Special Teams: Parker Washington – In addition to his 61-yard punt return that was called back due to a questionable penalty, Washinton also had another 17-yard return which almost broke loose.
- Defense:
- Offense: WR Travis Hunter – 8 catches on 14-targets for 101-yards (12.6 YPR) and 1 TD
PFF notables:
The team over at Pro Football Focus noted the following from the game:
TBD
Full highlights:
- You can watch the top plays of the Week 7 matchup on the NFL’s YouTube channel here.
Post-game notables:
1. Protection issues continue
Jacksonville’s early down struggles continued from Week 6 as Patrick Mekari was beat for an immediate pressure by Braden Fiske, resulting in a Jared Verse sack pm the opening play. On the first play of following series, Mekari was then flagged for holding, putting Jacksonville behind the sticks again. Both series resulted in three-and-outs. With Jacksonville falling behind early, another week of 40+ pass attempts resulted in consecutive weeks giving up 7 sacks. Lawrence, however, took multiple sacks in this one where the ball likely could, and should have been thrown away.
2. Middle field receiving issues continue
The Jacksonville receiver room issues on middle field crossers continue as Brian Thomas Jr dropped a key third down pass early on, with Dyami Brown and Trevor Lawrence not being able to connect on a third quarter fourth down attempt. This ongoing issue has been a problem for the core for weeks, made notable due to Brian Thomas Jr’s early season drops and miscommunications early in the season on crossers and digs.
3. Penalties continue to kill drives
Jacksonville set a season high in penalty yards with 13 accepted penalties for 119 yards in London. As a reminder, in week 6 Jacksonville faced 14 third down attempts of five or more yards. When in non-third and long scenarios Jacksonville had moderate success, going 1 of 2. That trend continued on Sunday in London as the team went 1 of 10, with a sack surrendered on third and 5 of more (10%). The team went 2 of 5 (40%) on the remaining third down attempts. Between the early down negative plays from Lawrence and the offensive line and the penalties, Jacksonville lived behind the sticks on Sunday.
4. Points left on the field
The Jaguars’ coaching staff made multiple questionable decisions in this one, choosing to pass on field goal attempts in multiple situations. With Jacksonville’s miss on a 50-yard field goal, it’s possible that Coen and coordinator Heath Farwell’s confidence in the second-year kicker is waning. However, leaving anywhere from 12-16 points on the field in turnover on downs from field goal range and the nullified punt return will leave fans and media questioning those decisions in a game where Jacksonville scored just seven points.
5. Drops, drops, and more drops
The Jacksonville receiver core continued their struggles holding onto catchable balls with at least five drops surrendered on Sunday.
- Brian Thomas Jr (2)
- Dyami Brown (1)
- Parker Washington (1)
- Johnny Mundt (1)
The team enters the bye week at 4-3, with the run game non-existent for three straight weeks, drops and penalties continuing to be a concern, the quarterback continuing to be inconsistent, issues up front, and a few questionable coaching decisions to think over. However, there’s a lot of football left to play, with the easiest section of their schedule in front of them. What are your thoughts from tonight’s game, Jaguars fans? Who surprised you most or disappointed you with their play tonight? Let us know in the comments.
