The Jaguars have a Trevor Lawrence problem as loss to Texans shows

By Hays Carlyon

This should’ve been a season saver.

A path back into contention.

This should’ve been a 1-0 start in the AFC South.

A win in what was probably going to be the toughest divisional game this season.

This should’ve been a giddy day for Jaguars fans to erase three weeks of gloom.

Gone.

This should’ve been a redemption day for the players and coaches.

Lost.

Another opportunity squandered. A season pushed further to the brink at 0-4.

0-4.

They’re winless – for the month. Good riddance, September.

All because franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence missed too many throws on Sunday.

Obviously, I’ve been critical of Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson and offensive coordinator Press Taylor.

But I can’t blame them for this. Not when receiver Christian Kirk is running wide open for a 59-yard touchdown and Lawrence overthrows him by 3 yards.

Lawrence also missed a sure-fire 28-yard touchdown pass to rookie sensation Brian Thomas.
Can’t happen.

Not when you’re the leader of a struggling team. No one is perfect, but when your team is 0-3 good quarterbacks make those throws. Good quarterbacks know a basic tenet of football: This isn’t the day for me to have a bad day.

If Lawrence hits one of them, the Jaguars likely win the game. Those two misses cost 10 points.

Instead, it was Houston’s ascending quarterback C.J. Stroud that pulled out the victory.

Stroud guided the Texans to a game-winning touchdown with 18 seconds left, sending the Jaguars to an agonizing 24-20 defeat Sunday at NRG Stadium. The Jaguars defense, down several key players, performed well enough that this should’ve been a win.

“I left a lot out there tonight,” Lawrence said.

Yeah, like the season.

After losing to Cleveland in Week 2, Lawrence spoke with fire after the loss. He said things like “we suck right now” and “guys can’t get their feelings hurt if they’re criticized.”

No player right now owns this 0-4 start more than Lawrence.

Yes, I think Jaguars owner Shad Khan should fire Pederson (who is now 1-9 in his last 10 games).

But Pederson isn’t throwing the footballs. All we know is that Lawrence is struggling, but just signed a five-year, $275-million contract with $200-million guaranteed.

He’s not leaving Jacksonville. And Lawrence must be fixed and fixed quickly.

If he can be.

If it’s not too late.

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