September 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) walks on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina -Imagn Images Losing streaks are nothing new for Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
The No. 1 overall pick in 2021, Lawrence lost his first five starts of the year before suffering an eight-game decline. Jacksonville is coming off another five-game slump in 2022 and lost four straight in December.
But he doesn't think Jacksonville will get off to an 0-4 start in 2024.
“As a rookie, I was naive and I didn't understand the situation. Even in '21, we lost a close game Thursday night in Cincinnati and ended up losing to Cincinnati. “We have to win the game. I have full confidence in this team. “
The Jaguars donned throwback uniforms from the 1994 expansion team as they host the Indianapolis Colts (2-2) for the second time in five games this week.
Winning streaks have been a must for the Jaguars in recent seasons, but only one NFL team has gone from 0-4 to the playoffs. The 1992 San Diego Chargers ultimately lost to the 49ers in the Super Bowl.
In 2022, the Jaguars started with 2 wins and 1 loss, then suffered five consecutive losses. But they snapped a five-game winning streak, won the AFC South, made the playoffs, and pulled off a dramatic comeback (31-30) to beat the Chargers.
Lawrence said he still believes the Jaguars are on the verge of a winning streak in the other direction. But there are many problems.
In Week 4, Jacksonville went 109-60, ranking 25th in the NFL in total offense and 30th in total defense.
Lawrence had 12 sacks in 2024 and completed just 53.3% of his passes.
After leading the Dolphins in Week 1, missing a chance to lead the Browns in Week 2 due to penalties, and blowing the lead again last week in Houston, head coach Doug Pederson is preaching situational execution.
This applies to Lawrence as well. This season he has completed 38.5 percent of his passes in the fourth quarter (10 of 26) and 46.2 percent in the red zone.
Jaguars running back Travis Etienne said it was in this red zone that Jacksonville turned victory into defeat. He's also played a big role in the current winning streak, missing scoring opportunities and sparking the Dolphins' rally in Week 1.
“Unfortunately, I've been in a few situations like this in my career. It's never fun. You have to have a thick skin. When you're in a situation like this, you have to persevere. Keep your head down and carry on. Work hard,” Lawrence said. “I've been on some teams where we've come out of the woods, after losing five in a row, we won six in a row. It's a long season. You've got to keep playing. You can't sulk about the past either. We just Where we are now…it only takes one.
–Scene-level media