The Jaguars (1-5) were blown out under the national spotlight in Week 6, falling 35-16 to the Bears (4-2) on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Rookie quarterback and Chicago’s No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Caleb Williams, had a career day against Jacksonville’s woeful pass defense, reaching early single-game career-highs with four touchdown passes and a 79.3% completion rate.
Williams found Chicago tight end Cole Kmet and wide receiver Keenan Allen for two scores each, and finished the contest with 226 passing yards.
Jaguars safety Andre Cisco recorded the team’s first interception of the season, the only highlight in an otherwise abysmal showing by Jacksonville’s secondary, one of multiple this year.
Accordingly, the Jaguars and quarterback Trevor Lawrence were tasked with keeping up with Williams and the Bears, to no avail.
Lawrence largely appeared up for the task, finishing the game 23-of-35 passing for 234 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Lawrence had a few misses including an underthrown pass that could have ended in a deep touchdown pass to Brian Thomas Jr. But drops by his receivers hampered him more, including two by Gabe Davis (both in scoring position), one by Thomas and one by Christian Kirk.
Tight end Evan Engram shined in his return from a four-week hamstring injury, catching 10 passes for 102 yards. But even he could not hold onto the ball at one point, fumbling at the end of a 24-yard catch-and-run.
Chicago capitalized seven plays and 41 yards after Engram’s fumble, on Williams’ first end zone connection with Allen.
Lawrence’s interception occurred on the first play of Jacksonville’s next series. Chicago made a pattern of scoring off turnovers, with Williams finding Allen again for a touchdown after going three plays for 36 yards.
The Jaguars pulled Lawrence late in the fourth quarter when it was clear the Bears would emerge victorious. Backup Jacksonville quarterback Mac Jones went one-of-one passing for six yards.
The Jaguars will remain in London for Week 7 and will host the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium next Sunday, at 9:30 a.m. ET /2:30 p.m. BST.