The Jacksonville Jaguars have started the 2024 season with two losses in two tries. This is familiar territory for Jacksonville, as this marks the tenth time this century that the Jaguars have fallen into the same hole. In the 2024 offseason, the Jaguars spent 55 million per season on potential franchise Quarterback Trevor Lawrence to alter the franchise’s trajectory permanently. Arguably, it worked, but it was not how Owner Shad Khan had hoped when he opened his checkbook.
The black and teal had high hopes after two consecutive winning seasons and invested heavily in the offensive side of the ball. The Jaguars are paying the starting offensive line over 50 million and have not skimped on paying the skill positions. According to Spotrac, the Jaguars are paying Christian Kirk, Evan Engram, Gabe Davis, and Travis Etienne Jr over 40 million this season. The Jaguars are currently the ninth highest-paid offense in the NFL and have produced 30 points in two games.
Jaguars’ Defense Forced To Shoulder The Load Early
Jacksonville mustered a surprising defensive performance in the 2024 season opener against the Miami Dolphins. They held Mike McDaniel and his high-flying offense to just seven points through two and a half quarters. The Jaguars also lost their best cornerback, Tyson Campbell, to injury, and Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa exploited that fact to fuel a furious comeback. Ultimately, they surrendered only two touchdowns and three field goal attempts but surrendered a 14-point lead after running out of gas in the second half.
The home opener saw the defense surrender just 16 of the Cleveland Browns 18 points. The Browns’ defense clinched a victory with a late sack of Trevor Lawrence to force a safety. Jacksonville was hurt badly by two dubious roughing the passer penalties that helped put Deshaun Watson and the offense into position to score 10 of their 16 points. Despite the record, it is fair to say the defense has surpassed expectations so far in 2024. The defense must do even more on Monday Night Football to secure a victory.
Jaguars Pass Rush Must Force Mistakes By Josh Allen
The key to the Jaguars defensive success has been an effective pass rush. Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker have been effective, with three sacks in two games. Foyesade Olokun and Arik Armstead also got home for the Jaguars’ defense during the season’s first two games. Jacksonville has five sacks and 18 quarterback pressures on 71 pass attempts. It is an improvement on the 2023 defense, but they must do even more against Josh Allen.
Allen has only thrown the ball 42 times through two games in 2024. The scary part is that the Bills have scored 65 points in that period. James Cook has been highly effective, and Buffalo’s offensive plan to balance its offense has been impressive. The Jaguars need to slow the Buffalo rushing attack enough to force Allen to don his cape and attempt to play Superman. In recent seasons, forcing Allen to try to do too much has resulted in turnovers and, more importantly for the Jaguars, losses. That starts and ends with pressure.
Final Thoughts
Jacksonville’s offense is capable of beating the Buffalo Bills. Lawrence can potentially turn the game into an epic shootout and has the weapons to win it. The reality is, that version of the Jaguars quarterback has not shown up to a football game in almost a year. The Jaguars need their two best players, Walker and Hines-Allen, who have showed up in September 2024, to have a massive impact on Monday night. It is not their only chance for a victory to harass Allen into his first bad game of 2024. It is, however, their best one.
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