The Jets (3-11) struggled to contain QB Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars (10-4) in a 48-20 loss at EverBank Stadium on Sunday. The Jaguars capitalized on several short field opportunities as Lawrence threw for 330 yards and 5 TDs.
"Very disappointing on a number of levels," HC Aaron Glenn said of the game. "When you give up that many points, that's tough. It doesn't allow our QB to actually get in the groove. It doesn't allow our offense to get in the groove. … Our offense didn't play up to par, either. So, there were issues across the board."
Jacksonville set the tone early after winning the coin toss and electing to receive the opening kickoff. Lawrence led a 9-play, 72-yard drive capped by a 4-yard TD pass to WR Brian Thomas Jr. to give the Jaguars an early 7-0 lead.
The Jets were unable to respond on their opening drive, and a turnover on downs gave Jacksonville the ball in plus territory. Five plays later, Lawrence rushed for a 15-yard score.
QB Brady Cook, who made the first start of his NFL career, was efficient on the Jets' second drive. He led an 8-play, 65-yard scoring drive capped by his first career TD pass, to WR Adonai Mitchell. Cook finished the first quarter 6 -of -6 for 51 yards, 1 TD and a 141.7 passer rating.
"We strung together some good drives in that first half," Cook said. "Definitely had a couple of great sequences, good rhythm. We just need to sustain it."
Jacksonville responded with a 5-play, 55-yard TD drive to extend the lead, 21-7.
With just under 10 minutes remaining in the half, Isaiah Davis returned a punt 49 yards for a TD that would have made it a one-score game. The TD, however, was nullified by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on DB Tre Brown.
See all of the best game photos from the Jets Week 15 game against the Jaguars.
The Jets had another opportunity to make it a one possession game with the clock winding down in the second quarter, but Cook was intercepted by Jacksonville DB Montaric Brown. Jacksonville capitalized on the turnover, as Lawrence connected with RB Travis Etienne Jr. for a 20-yard score. The Jets entered the locker room at halftime trailing by 31-10.
The Jets were the first to score in the second half when Nick Folk converted a 51-yard FG attempt, but Etienne scored his second touchdown of the day and Cam Little tacked on another 3 points with a 22-yard FG.
Isaiah Davis brought an offensive spark early in the fourth quarter with a 24-yard TD run, his first score of the season. But Jacksonville struck back as Etienne found the end zone for his third score of the day.
The defense then forced its third turnover of the season as CB Brandon Stephens took down WR Dyami Brown and the ball came loose. Malachi Moore returned the ball 25 yards to set the Jets offense up on the Jacksonville 16-yard line.
The Jets, however, were unable to capitalize on the turnover. Cook was intercepted in the end zone on a pass intended for WR Allen Lazard just 4 plays later.
"We can't lose games like that. It's unacceptable," Glenn said, adding, "This is a tough one. … We've got 3 games to see exactly how we're going to finish the season out. And that's what all I'm worried about right now."
Jetcetera
Safeties Tony Adams (groin) and Isaiah Oliver (knee) sustained injuries late in the second quarter and did not return to the game. … DL Eric Watts sustained an injury in the second quarter but returned to the game. He then sustained a head injury in the third quarter and did not return. … WR Isaiah Williams recorded a career-high 53 receiving yards, including making an impressive grab of a tipped ball for a first down in the third quarter. … WR Adonai Mitchell led the Jets with 6 receptions for 58 yards and 1 TD.
