The Jacksonville Jaguars followed their usual script in Week 8, losing 21-17 to the Denver Broncos by blowing a fourth quarter lead.
After five consecutive Jaguars drives ended with a punt, a 10-0 lead turned into a 14-10 deficit. Finally the Jacksonville offense found some success with a touchdown drive that gave the team a 17-14 lead with just under four minutes left.
That lead was incredibly short-lived as the Broncos — who entered Week 8 dead-last in scoring offense — responded with an 80-yard touchdown drive that took just over two minutes.
A Trevor Lawrence interception on the first play of the ensuing drive all but sealed a Broncos victory. Here’s how the Jaguars’ fifth straight loss went down in London:
Jaguars MVP of the game: RB Travis Etienne
There really wasn’t a competition for this one. For a fourth straight game, Etienne eclipsed 100 yards from scrimmage with 157 rushing yards, six receiving yards, and a 1-yard touchdown late to give the Jaguars the lead.
The 2021 first-round pick is the spark plug for the Jaguars offense and mostly feels like the only one capable of providing an explosive play. He provided that and plenty more Sunday.
Broncos MVP of the game: S Justin Simmons
The gigantic momentum swing Sunday came when Lawrence rolled to his right near the goal line and tried to fire a pass into the back of the end zone. Instead of a touchdown to give the Jaguars a 14-0 lead, Broncos safety Justin Simmons made an incredible play to snag the laser beam out of the air and erase the scoring opportunity.
.@jsimms1119 will take that. 👐
📺: ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/xO9fHB9PD1
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 30, 2022
Jaguars play of the game: Evan Engram’s 22-yard touchdown reception
.@Trevorlawrencee and @eazyengram playing pitch and catch.#DENvsJAX on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/XdNfwFWxrM
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 30, 2022
The Jaguars haven’t been good in the red zone, but they went ahead and skipped that problem early Sunday when Lawrence threw a rope to Engram in the end zone. It was Engram’s first touchdown with the Jaguars and gave the team an early 7-0 lead.
It was over when Lawrence threw an interception to Broncos cornerback K’Wuan Williams on the first play of the Jaguars’ last chance at a game-winning drive.
HELLUVA INT, K'WAUN!!!! 🦈
📺: ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/BXDy0Oi9KF
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 30, 2022
Stat that says it all: The Jaguars offense punted on five straight drives
After a hot start, Jacksonville’s offense ended the first half and started the second half with a lengthy lull that allowed the Broncos to come back from a double-digit deficit and take the lead.
Up next: The Jaguars will host the Las Vegas Raiders in an actual home game at TIAA Bank Field. The Raiders entered Week 8 with a 2-4 record and have a 1 p.m. ET game against the New Orleans Saints.
