Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) and head coach Doc Doug during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, September 15, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida ·Pederson (Doug Pederson) chat. (Cory Perrine/The Florida Times-Union) Doug Pederson answered questions about his job status Sunday night as the Jaguars lost for the fourth time in four games to start the 2024 season.
Jacksonville lost by 5, 4, and 3 points, and was defeated by 37 points in a 47-10 loss to Buffalo. Including losses in five of their final six games before the end of the 2023 season, the Jaguars are licking their wounds after losing nine of 10 games against the Indianapolis Colts (2-2). The Indianapolis Colts are in town Sunday.
An 0-5 start to the season would be matched by a decisive start to the 2021 season for Urban Meyer.
Pederson acknowledged the frustration among players and coaches and said games on the practice field this week will not happen on Sunday.
After a 24-20 loss to the Texans in Week 4, Pederson appeared to point the finger at the players when answering a question about taking over the game-calling duties from offensive coordinator Price Taylor.
“As coaches, we can't go out and compete. It's a two-way street. So you can sit here and accuse all you want, it's okay. Just point it at me and I can take it. OK, I can take it. You can say whatever you want. What, write it,” he said.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence said it was crucial for the Jaguars to stick together.
“No one will come to save us. This is our responsibility,” he said.
Lawrence has lost nine straight starts. He and Pederson said they believe the offense is on the verge of a breakthrough.
“There were some things we did well (Sunday); we just need to do more,” Lawrence said. “And I don't think we need to blow everything up and start over.”
Since Pederson took over the Jaguars, he has had 18-20 records in consecutive 9-8 seasons. Only one team, the 1992 San Diego Chargers, rebounded from an 0-4 start to make the playoffs.
Meyer's first win of 2021 came in London, where the Jaguars will face the Chicago Bears on Oct. 13 after securing a potentially key berth this week. Before the Jaguars travel to Houston, Pederson said back-to-back conference games will be crucial. The Colts defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 on Sunday.
“Really the next two games and then trying to get on track and get us down the first three games,” Pederson said before Sunday's loss. “But they're all strong, they're all important, and the players understand that and they're ready. They're ready, we just have to go out there and play.”
Jacksonville beat the Colts twice last season, leading by double digits in both games.
–Scene-level media