The Jacksonville Jaguars have lost 19 straight games, which ties them with the Detroit Lions for the second-longest streak in the Super Bowl era.
It must be frustrating for Trevor Lawrence to drop four straight games because it never happened to him in high school or at Clemson.
Unfortunately, their schedule does not get any easier in the next four weeks.
They will face Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans in Week 5, the Miami Dolphins one week later, and the Seattle Seahawks after their bye week.
Takeaways from TNF 👇#DUUUVAL
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 1, 2021
In Week 9, the Jaguars will compete with the Buffalo Bills.
But seeing their Thursday Night Football performance against the Cincinnati Bengals, are they finally trending in the right direction?
Yes, they still lost the game, but they played better than their first three outings.
Lawrence did not throw an interception all game and completed 17 passes for 204 yards.
He also added a rushing touchdown while James Robinson added 78 run yards and two touchdowns.
A look back at five moments that defined last night’s matchup.#DUUUVAL
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 1, 2021
Lavishka Shenault had six receptions for 99 yards.
More importantly, the Jaguars stayed with the Bengals throughout the game.
They scored the game’s first 14 points courtesy of touchdown runs by Robinson in the first quarter and Lawrence in the second.
The Jaguars defense forced the Bengals to three punts while Evan McPherson missed a field goal attempt.
However, Cincinnati started to fight back in the second half.
Dropped a close one on the road.@Dream_Finders | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/ELtVN5Bweh
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 1, 2021
Joe Burrow threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to C.J. Uzomah to cut the deficit in half.
Joe Mixon also scored on a one-yard touchdown run after a Jacksonville three-and-out to tie the game.
Robinson gave the lead back to the Jaguars via a four-yard touchdown run.
But Burrow connected on another touchdown pass to Uzomah to level the count at 21.
Everything But The Finish
The Jaguars could retake the lead with nine minutes left in the game and started the drive with a seven-yard pass to Marvin Jones.
Robinson followed with a one-yard run, and Lawrence made another 11-yard pass to Shenault.
After getting a fresh set of downs, Robinson made another four-yard run, and Lawrence followed with a two-yard scramble on second down.
Unfortunately, the rookie quarterback cannot complete a pass to Collin Johnson on third and four.
Logan Cooke’s punt on fourth down went out of bounds in Cincinnati’s ten-yard line.
So close.#DUUUVAL
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 1, 2021
However, the Jaguars defense collapsed after Logan Wilson sacked Burrow on the game’s final drive.
They allowed completions to Uzomah, Samaje Perine, and Tyler Boyd to bring the ball to their 46-yard line.
But the Bengals’ winning odds increased when Burrow connected with Uzomah on a 25-yard pass.
Perine added another four-yard run to set up a field goal attempt from the Jacksonville 17.
This time, McPherson won’t miss a 35-yard try to give Cincinnati their third win in four games.
How about that!? Former Fort Payne standout Evan McPherson hits another game-winner!
This dude is unreal! pic.twitter.com/6KSOwhXNrA
— Rocco DiSangro (@RoccoDiSangro) October 1, 2021
You have to applaud the Jaguars’ effort to keep the Bengals on their toes despite the loss.
This game is undeniably a moral victory because they looked like a team on the field.
Perhaps Lawrence and Urban Meyer are already getting accustomed to the NFL game.
The Jaguars faithful are hoping that this result will bring good fortune soon.
Getting a few breaks going their way can score them their first victory since Week 1 of the 2020 season.
NEXT: Urban Meyer Must Quickly Move Past Thursday Night Loss
