Jaguars unable to avoid shortcomings again during 26-21 loss to New York Jets

The Jaguars were 1 yard away from ending a dreadful 15-game road losing streak. All they needed was a touchdown with 12 seconds remaining at MetLife Stadium against the New York Jets.

But the Jaguars can't seem avoid shortcomings even against a hapless Jets defense that ranked 31st overall in the league.

Despite having four chances within the 6-yard line after a 26-yard run by Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars still could not score a touchdown that ended their comeback bid in a 26-21 loss.

The Jaguars also suffered a major blow before the end of the first quarter when running back James Robinson suffered a torn Achilles and had to be carted off and did not return. On the play Robinson was injured, he came out of his stance after the snap and dropped to the turf without contact.

Just 5 yards from the end zone, Lawrence completed a 4-yard pass to Marvin Jones before spiking the ball to stop the clock on third down when 13 seconds remained. Then on fourth down from the 1, Lawrence's pass attempt to Jones sailed incomplete. The Jaguars were flagged for an illegal shift on the fourth-down play that the Jets declined, giving them possession to run out the final seconds on the clock.

''We were so close,'' Lawrence said. ''We obviously didn't execute cleanly there at the end. We were one play from the (1). I mean you can't ask for any closer than that, we're right there.''

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Final play struggle

When the Jaguars (2-13) needed precise execution, especially on their final fourth-down play, they appeared to be some confusion over the play call and lining up correctly.

''We just didn't do a good job communicating and getting lined up on the last play,'' Jaguars interim head coach Darrell Bevell said.

The Jaguars also squandered a chance to tie the score with 5:25 remaining in the game after running back Dare Ogunbowale scored on a 1-yard run. On the two-point try, Lawrence was flushed out of the pocket and was forced to heave up a throw in the end zone that sailed high and incomplete.

With the loss, the Jaguars still remain in contention to land the 2022 No. 1 overall pick with two games remaining against the Patriots and Colts before the regular season ends.

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Lawrence vs. Wilson

The highlight matchup of Sunday's game featured No. 1 overall pick Lawrence against No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson. It was just the fourth time since 1967 that the two quarterbacks taken with the first two picks were matched against each other.

Lawrence had a better game passing than Wilson, taking advantage of aggressive play-calling by Brian Schottenheimer, who was promoted this past week. The Jaguars scored on their first three possessions — a touchdown and two field goals — for the first time this season, but still trailed 13-12 at halftime.

Lawrence looked more comfortable taking downfield shots, and more play-action passes were called than in previous games when Bevell was the play caller.

Lawrence passed for 280 yards compared to Wilson's 102. Lawrence, however, did not throw a touchdown pass, which extended his streak to having just one TD pass in the last eight games.

The Jaguars' offensive line performed better than they had in previous games, but the Jets were missing several key defensive starters, including their top defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, who tested positive a few hours before Sunday's game.

Will Richardson Jr. started in place of Bartch and scored his first career touchdown in the second quarter when he fell on Lawrence's fumble in the end zone in the second quarter.

Wilson, who threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to offensive guard Conor McDermott in the fourth quarter, made a more significant impact scrambling. Wilson scored on a 52-yard run in the first quarter after he was chased out of the pocket on an all-out blitz.

Nickel cornerback Rudy Ford pulled up, appearing like he thought Wilson was going out of bounds. Safety Andrew Wingard also was badly faked out by Wilson on his missed tackle attempt.

Jags defense gashed for 273 yards rushing

The Jaguars had difficulty setting the edge throughout the game with Jets running backs able to get outside several times. Wilson's run for a touchdown was the longest by a Jets quarterback in their franchise history.

The Jets gashed the Jaguars for 273 yards rushing, with Michael Carter finishing with a game-high 118 yards on 16 carries. Wilson had 91 yards rushing on four carries.

The Jaguars also were without starting linebackers Myles Jack, Josh Allen, wide receiver Laviska Shenault, and offensive guard Ben Bartch due to going on the COVID-19 list. The Jets (4-11) had 13 players on their active roster, including head coach Robert Saleh, who missed the game because of going on the virus list.

Jacksonville continues to play miserable on special teams. For the second consecutive week, the unit allowed a kickoff to be returned for a touchdown. This time the Jets' Braxton Berrios bolted through an open seam early in the second quarter and went untouched for a 103-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Similar to last week when the Houston Texans' Tremon Smith scored on a 98-yard kickoff return, the Jaguars' kickoff team failed to fill the lanes because of getting blocked or overpursuing. The Jaguars' special teams have given up four touchdowns this season.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars lose to NY Jets, lose James Robinson to Achilles tear