Lions-Jaguars preview: Jacksonville can’t break through in disappointing season

Less than two years ago, the Jaguars seemed to be a franchise on the rise.

They had an improving young franchise quarterback, a Super Bowl-winning coach and were in the playoffs for the first time in five years.

Now, they're spiraling and in contention for the No. 1 pick in 2025 NFL Draft.

That coach, Doug Pederson, is on the hot seat and that quarterback is hurt and not playing as the Jaguars come to play the team with the best record in the NFC: the Detroit Lions.

Here's what you need to know ahead of Sunday's Lions-Jaguars matchup:

Mac Jones time

Unlike two weeks ago against Green Bay, the Lions won't have to wait around to find out which quarterback they'll be facing.

The Jaguars announced on Wednesday that starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence will miss Sunday's game against the Lions due to a shoulder injury and that Mac Jones will start in his stead.

Jones had diminishing returns in his time New England, from the Pro Bowl and runner-up to Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021 to a 2-9 record with more interceptions than touchdowns last season.

He had a rough debut as Jacksonville's starter on Sunday in place of Lawrence, with 14 completions for 111 yards and three turnovers in a loss to the Vikings.

The team also recently added quarterback C.J. Beathard, who spent the last three seasons as the franchise's backup quarterback. Pederson could turn to Beathard on Sunday if things to poorly for Jones.

Close, but not quite

The Jaguars' record is an ugly 2-8. But look closer and you'll see that there aren't many blowout losses on that ledger.

Of the Jaguars' eight losses, six have been by a touchdown or less. Jacksonville led in the fourth quarter of three of those games and was tied in the fourth quarter of another, vs. Green Bay.

On Sunday, the Jaguars didn't give up a touchdown and recorded three takeaways in their game against the Vikings, yet still lost. According to CBS, they're the first team since 2006 to lose a game while doing both of those things.

After back-to-back winning seasons and a playoff appearance in 2022, and with a good young quarterback in Lawrence, this wasn't how this season was supposed to go.

"As a team, as coaches, we're making it hard, we're making it too hard," Pederson said after the game.

Defense coming around?

If there was a bright spot on Sunday in the Jaguars' eighth loss of the season, it was on defense.

For most of the season, that unit has been a liability. The Jaguars have given up the most yards and third-most points of any team in the NFL.

But Sunday's performance was markedly different, at least on the scoreboard. Jacksonville didn't give up a touchdown to one of the NFC's best teams and picked off Sam Darnold three times. The Jaguars only had two interceptions on the season entering the game.

For a Lions offense coming off of a five-interception game against Houston, that should have their attention.

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