Hays Carlyon's Jaguars Blog

Jaguars starters look good in second preseason outing

todayAugust 13, 2022

Background

By Hays Carlyon

Be happy. Don’t pay attention to the final score.

Yes, the Jaguars reserves stunk in a 24-13 loss to Cleveland at TIAA Bank Field on Friday night.

But focus on the first 20 minutes of the game: Jaguars 13, Browns 0.

That’s what matters.

If you’re upset with what you saw imagine a flipped script.

How would you feel if Trevor and company got shutout and the defense allowed 13 points to Deshaun Watson?

There would be a mass panic and it would be justified.

This is the key to Friday:

Lawrence left the game healthy and was effective. The second-year veteran completed 6 of 12 passes for 95 yards with a touchdown and no turnovers for a passer rating of 104.5. He didn’t have his top receiver Christian Kirk available because of an ankle injury. Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said after the game Kirk could’ve played had the game counted.

Lawrence found a groove early by connecting with receiver Zay Jones on a 32-year gain. Jones added a 15-yarder later from Lawrence.

Tight end Evan Engram caught a 9-yard touchdown on a nifty fourth-and-1 call by Pederson. Engram was wide open and Lawrence found him while rolling left. Engram used his speed to find the end zone.

Lawrence also converted a long third down situation completing a 19-yard pass to receiver Laquon Treadwell when he needed 12 to keep the drive going.

Running back Travis Etienne returned to game action and had two significant gains. He had a 12-yard run and caught a pass for 10 yards.

Defensively, the Jaguars held the Browns to 7 yards of offense in the first quarter. They also forced a turnover when safety Rayshawn Jenkins forced a fumble that cornerback Shaq Griffin recovered.

Outside linebacker Travon Walker made a nice tackle on third down to force a punt and drew a holding penalty.

Those are the kinds of strides we needed to see.

Pederson and his team are making progress.

(You can email Hays at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @HaysCarlyon).

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