The Jacksonville Jaguars hoped the momentum from a five-game win streak would carry through their Week 9 bye. It didn’t.
Instead, the Jaguars were blown out by the San Francisco 49ers in a 34-3 loss in Week 10.
The 31-point loss is the most lopsided for the team since hiring Doug Pederson as head coach and it raised serious questions about the team’s legitimacy as a postseason contender.
After the Jaguars opened the game with a pair of three-and-outs on offense, the 49ers built a double-digit lead in the first quarter. While Jacksonville managed a second quarter field goal, it proved to be the only points of the game for the Jaguars, who continued their habit of turning the ball over in scoring position.
Following the loss, the Jaguars are 6-3 and still atop the AFC South. However, the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts are now nipping at their heels.
Here’s how the Jaguars’ embarrassing loss to the 49ers went down:
Jaguars MVP of the game: LB Foye Oluokun
#ProDog Foye Oluokun with the sack on 3rd down!#DUUUVAL
📱 Tune In: https://t.co/mI2qMYdzY1
📺https://t.co/pERFUwJbhH pic.twitter.com/9w9Rwo3dmy— Yale Football (@yalefootball) November 12, 2023
The Jaguars’ tackling machine, as usual, led the team with double-digit tackles. But he earns the team MVP nod for the two sacks he recorded that both came on third down. It was the first multi-sack day of Oluokun’s career and matched his total for the entire 2022 season.
49ers MVP of the game: QB Brock Purdy
Purdy’s first touchdown pass was more of a bad decision than a good one, but by the end of the game he had 296 passing yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 148.9 passer rating. That’s a stat line that’ll win games way more often than not.
Jaguars play of the game: none
A peek at the Jaguars’ Twitter account says all you need to know about the loss. The team didn’t post a single highlight during the game, because there was never much to celebrate. There were a few chunk plays for Christian Kirk, but those proved inconsequential at the end of the day.
It was over when ... Christian Kirk fumbled in the red zone
Ambry Thomas rips the ball out 💪
📺: #SFvsJAX on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kECSNGc6Bj pic.twitter.com/Nw7uBuADec— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2023
Down 17 points, the Jaguars were already in desperation mode when they drove deep into 49ers territory late in the third quarter. A bad day turned worse when Kirk fumbled in the red zone, killing yet another chance at points. While the ensuing chaos didn’t immediately result in a touchdown, San Francisco didn’t take long to drive the field and score on a Deebo Samuel reverse to extend the lead to 24.
Stat that says it all: Jaguars -4 turnover margin
Defense applying pressure in Pick City!
📺 #SFvsJAX on FOX
📱 NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4nCVJ pic.twitter.com/Ppc3tIgqy3— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 12, 2023
A Jaguars offense that has given the ball away too much in 2023 was at its worst with four turnovers (two Trevor Lawrence interceptions, a Lawrence fumble, and a Kirk fumble). A Jaguars defense that has been stellar at finding takeaways wasn’t able to find any Sunday. The result was just three points for Jacksonville and a wealth of opportunities for the 49ers to take advantage, which they did.
What's next?
The Jaguars will stay at home in Week 11 and look to bounce back when they play the first of their two games against the Tennessee Titans.
Tennessee, which recently turned to rookie Will Levis at quarterback, also lost Sunday, dropping to 3-6 on the year with a 20-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
