Jaguars can’t keep up with the Titans, thoughts on the Week 5 loss

This may sound familiar by now but the Jacksonville Jaguars were off to a relatively solid start in Week 5 but couldn’t close. Again, they showed flashes but things got out of hand and fell behind by a wide margin. They made things interesting in the fourth quarter and attempted a comeback late in the game. However, it was too late, and ultimately lost 37-19 to the Tennesse Titans. This is their fifth loss of the season and 20th consecutive one dating back to last year. Here are some thoughts about the game.

Tight end Dan Arnold fumbled the ball in the Jaguars’ first drive of the game. Looking back, it was a sign of things to come. Safety Kevin Byard recovered the fumble and returned it for a touchdown. Putting aside the turnover, Arnold had a solid game, hauling in six receptions for 66 yards. Byard had a meaningless interception at the end of the game. Still, it will appear in Trevor Lawrence’s stat line.

Running back James Robinson had his best game of the 2021 season. He scored the Jags’ first touchdown of the game and often helped them move the chains. He racked up 18 carries for 159 yards and one touchdown. In the last three games, he’s toted the rock 51 times after getting just 16 in the first two.

Even though the Jags did an adequate job of slowing down running back Derrick Henry, the secondary couldn’t stop the Titans’ passing game despite the fact the Julio Jones was out for the game. Cornerback Chris Claybrooks was one of the reasons why. The sophomore started in place of Tyson Campbell, who was questionable for the game and ended up not suiting up.

The Jaguars had many chances to tie the game in the second half.

Ryan Tannehill was hit by outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson early in the third quarter. For a moment, it looked like the quarterback fumbled the ball. But a closer look showed he had already started the process of throwing. Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer still went ahead and challenged the play. He looked hesitant and with good reason, there was little doubt it was an incomplete pass and not a fumble.

Later in the third quarter, the Jaguars’ defense made a stand. After letting the Titans complete a fourth-and-1, Chaisson stopped Henry and Dawuane Smoot sacked Tannehill in back-to-back plays. This forced Tennessee to punt the ball. Once the Jaguars’ offense got the ball back, they traveled 80 yards on 10 plays. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence capped the drive with a four-yard rushing touchdown. Jacksonville then attempted a two-point conversion but failed it.

The Jaguars’ defense really heated up late in the game. After Lawrence’s rushing touchdown, they stopped the Titans’ offense once again and gave the ball back to the offense. The rookie completed a 58-yard pass to Laviska Shenault Jr., his first one of the game. Viska’s catch helped them get close to the goal line but the offense couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity. On fourth-and-1, running back Carlos Hyde was stopped behind the line of scrimmage and lost 14 yards.

The Jaguars’ offense went missing in the fourth quarter.

Chaisson had his best game of the season, logging six total tackles, one sack, and two tackles for a loss. His sack in the fourth quarter helped the Jaguars get the ball back. Unfortunately, the offense couldn’t move the ball and ended up punting. Tennesse then drained the clock. The Jaguars had several chances to tie the game in the second half but came up short in all of them. This is frustrating because they were still in the game early in the fourth quarter.

The Jaguars’ kicking woes continue. Matthew Wright missed an extra point and a 53-yard field goal attempt. It will be interesting to see if the team goes back to Josh Lambo next week.

Once again, the Jaguars fell short. They keep making things competitive but haven’t had a complete game in the season.