DETROIT, Mich. – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens provide quick thoughts on the Jaguars’ 52-6 loss to the Detroit Lions in a 2024 Week 11 game at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, Sunday

John Oehser, Jaguars senior writer…

1. This was domination on a level that was difficult to achieve. The Lions’ record meant they were expected to win on Sunday. Still, it was difficult to expect at what level they dominated. The Jaguars took a 3-0 lead on kicker Cam Little’s 59-yard field goal, which tied a franchise record for longest field goal, but the Lions controlled the rest of the first half and the game — largely because their elite offensive line controlled the line. from scrimmage to an astonishing level. Not only did the Lions score touchdowns on their first four possessions, they also gave up just three third downs on drives of 70, 93, 63 and 84 yards. They also pushed the Jaguars defensive front off the ball way too far and way too easily, scoring on short touchdown runs on the first three possessions. These were not so much the drivers of explosive play, but rather the drivers of strength and power. It’s hard to dominate to that extent in the NFL. The Lions accomplished that impressively on Sunday at a disturbing level.
2. About face. It’s hard to analyze much about this Sunday’s match other than the aforementioned dominance. This was a case of one team looking bigger, stronger, faster and better than their opponent from the opening kick-off. This Jaguars season has largely been defined by close calls in the final minute, and it was easy to commend them for their fight and grit after three close calls against NFC contenders in the past three weeks. There are moments in difficult seasons when stamina runs out and a one-sided loss seems inevitable. There was that feeling going into Sunday, and it was clear that it was too early, which was true. Before this match, there were reports from various sources that change was possible after this match. We’d be remiss if we ignored these messages and games like this will certainly add to that kind of noise around the franchise. “I have no control over that,” Head Coach Doug Pederson said after Sunday’s loss. “I’ve been with this team for a long time. If it’s going to happen, of course it will happen. At the same time, I still have work to do and that is to prepare for a good division opponent here in two weeks.” Times can hardly be more difficult than this.