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Observations on the first half of the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills

Vaseline September 24, 2024

The Jacksonville Jaguars go into halftime with a big lead, trailing the Buffalo Bills 34-3.

So, what did we see in the first half between the Jaguars and the Bills? We break it down below.

Jaguars continue to struggle from the start

The Jaguars have struggled to get off to a fast start for years, but Week 1 looked like the team had turned the corner, taking off like a rocket and punching the Miami Dolphins in the face to take a 17-7 lead.

Last week, the Jaguars went backwards and punted on their first drive before allowing the Cleveland Browns to march down the field for a long touchdown drive. On the next drive, the Jaguars went three-and-out.

This time it was even worse. The Jaguars let the Bills march down the field for a touchdown, and once again the Jaguars went three-and-out.

This time, however, the Jaguars let the Bills score again, putting them up 13-0 before Trevor Lawrence even got on the field a second time. Slow starts will continue to doom this team until they find a solution.

Jarrian Jones injury creates more problems in secondary defense

The Jaguars came into Buffalo with issues in the secondary due to injuries to both Tyson Campbell and Darnell Savage. Not only are the Jaguars forced to play young players in their spots, but they are also the Jaguars’ two best defensive backs.

And the challenge grew even greater on the game’s first drive when Jarrian Jones, Savage’s replacement in the slot, injured his shoulder.

The Jaguars were down three cornerbacks, but Josh Allen dominated the Jaguars in the first half, completing 22 of 28 passes for 247 yards and four passing touchdowns.

There’s no help on the way at this point in the season, and the Jaguars’ depth issues have already exposed themselves early as a critical problem for the defense. Campbell will miss at least the next two games, while the returns of Savage and Jones are still up in the air.

The Jaguars’ passing game is broken

The Jaguars continue to struggle in the passing game in Week 3. A week after allowing just 16 yards passing in the first half against the Bills, the Jaguars had just 40 passing yards at the two-minute warning on Monday.

The Jaguars just seemed to have a claustrophobic offense. While the Bills were easily setting up open receivers, getting yards after the catch, and watching Josh Allen make big play after big play, the Jaguars failed to make any of them.

However, the blame lies beyond the plan and the coaching.

Mistakes like dropped passes and slips while running after the catch, and Trevor Lawrence throwing one of the worst interceptions of his career when he missed an open Brian Thomas Jr. while trailing 20-3, have the Jaguars looking like they have one of the worst passing games in the NFL right now.

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