Jacksonville Jaguars second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence knows there were plays he should’ve connected on against the Washington Commanders, and one throw he definitely shouldn’t have made.
“We shot ourselves in the foot a lot,” Lawrence told reporters after the 28-22 loss. “I missed two right there in the red zone that I’ve got to hit. The one to Travis, just overshot it a little bit. He did a really good job. He won on his route. Gotta make that one, gotta give him a chance.
Trevor Lawrence misses Trevor Etienne wide open in the end zone #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/GMDekwlEkU
— Pro Football Culture (@proftblculture) September 11, 2022
“And Zay’s, they brought cover zero pressure there. So, had to get the ball out quick and then put it a little too far – give him a little more air, so he can adjust to the ball. Those are things we’ve done a million times in practice, and just have to make the play.”
Lawrence wasn’t the only one who made mistakes and blew opportunities Sunday. Etienne dropped a fourth down pass near the goal line that likely would’ve been a touchdown, and the Jaguars racked up 13 penalties compared to just six for the Commanders.
But the nail in the coffin was a desperation heave from Lawrence that was easily picked off by Washington safety Darrick Forrest.
“I was looking for Christian [Kirk],” Lawrence explained after the game. “I thought that was an open zone, and then I got flushed out of the pocket and then when it came out it just kind of twisted, came out terrible towards the sideline. Way short, and then obviously the guy came up and made the play. … I don’t necessarily think it was a bad decision, just think it was a really bad throw.”
The Jaguars’ 22-year-old quarterback finished Week 1 with 275 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. During his difficult rookie season, Lawrence reached 275 passing yards just three times.