JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Doug Pederson insists he has no concerns about his job security.
He should.
Pederson is on the hook for Jacksonville’s spiraling season, one that started with Jaguars owner Shad Khan telling players and coaches that this was the best team ever assembled in Jacksonville. Khan also made it clear that “winning now” was the expectation for 2024.
The Jaguars (0-4) are one of two winless NFL teams following a 24-20 loss at Houston. It was Jacksonville’s ninth defeat in 10 games under Pederson, with the victory coming against lowly Carolina last December.
It also was the second late-game collapse of the season.
The Jaguars blew their season opener at Miami when running back Trevor Etienne fumbled at the goal line late in the third quarter and the defense couldn’t get a stop. They stumbled down the stretch against the Texans, too, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence getting stuffed on a fourth-and-goal play to start the fourth quarter and then going three-and-out before the defense allowed a game-winning touchdown drive in the final minute.
Pederson reacted snippily after the game when asked about his job status — “that’s kind of a strange question” — and about potentially taking over play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Press Taylor.
“As coaches, we can’t go out there and make the plays, right?” Pederson snapped. “It’s a two-way street, so you guys can sit here and point the finger all you want, and that’s fine. Point it right at me. I can take it, OK. I can take it. So, whatever you want to ask me, say, write, go ahead.”
Pederson was essentially pointing the finger at his players, a no-no in coaching circles even if it’s the truth.
Lawrence overthrew three deep passes that likely would have been touchdowns against Houston, and tight end Luke Farrell dropped another ball. Gabe Davis also let one bounce off his face mask in the back of the end zone just before right guard Brandon Scherff whiffed on a block that blew up Lawrence’s game-changing, fourth-down draw.
And no one on defense got pressure late or made a stop in crunch time.
“Obviously there were some plays out there we missed that you’d love to have back,” Pederson said.
General manager Trent Baalke deserves as much criticism as Pederson. Together, they built a flawed roster that doesn’t have enough elite talent. And they seemingly convinced Khan otherwise while the owner was committing close to $500 million in long-term contracts to Lawrence, defensive end Josh Hines-Allen and cornerback Tyson Campbell.
Khan fired general manager Gene Smith and coach Mike Mularkey after one season in 2012 partly because he felt like they lied to him about how close the team was to winning; Jacksonville went 2-14.
This season is on a path toward something similar.
What’s working
The Jags ran 24 times for 158 yards against Houston, including a 58-yard scamper by backup Tank Bigsby. They rank 13th in the league in rushing and second in yards per attempt at 5.74.
It’s about the only thing Jacksonville is doing consistently well on both sides of the ball.
What needs help
The Jaguars have one takeaway in four games, and that was a muffed punt by Houston’s Steven Sims. It starts with a lack of pressure up front — the Jaguars have seven sacks in four games — and have dealt with mounting defensive injuries.
Campbell, safety Darnell Savage and linebackers Foye Oluokun and Devin Lloyd missed Sunday’s game, and Hines-Allen was sidelined late.
Stock up
Second-year linebacker Ventrell Miller finished with 10 tackles in his first career start. Rookie Brian Thomas had six receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown. Bigsby finished with 90 yards on seven carries. Offensive tackles Cam Robinson and Anton Harrison played their best games of the season.
Stock down
Defensive end Travon Walker had one tackle. Safety Andre Cisco looked a step slow all afternoon. Davis caught one pass for minus-2 yards. Devin Duvernay, signed to upgrade special teams, averaged 20.7 yards on three kickoff returns and managed two yards on two punt returns.
Injuries
Hines-Allen (concussion) will be one to watch this week. TE Evan Engram (hamstring) is expected to return after missing three games.
Key number
1 — Number of teams in NFL history that have made the playoffs after starting 0-4. The San Diego Chargers accomplished the feat in 1992.
Next steps
The Jaguars will try to end their skid against AFC South rival Indianapolis, a home game that features Tom Coughlin being inducted into Jacksonville’s ring of honor.
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