Jaguars Doug Pederson on Week 18 Loss: “I’m Disappointed…”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Senior writer John Oehser examines Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson’s post-game press conference following the Jaguars’ 28-20 loss to the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday

1. Just disappointing. Disappointment was the overriding Jaguars theme Sunday, and it shone through when Pederson spoke to the media after the game. The Jaguars, after starting the season 8-3, lost five of their final six games and were eliminated from AFC South title contention – and from the postseason – with Sunday’s loss. Players throughout the locker room struggled to explain their emotions after the game. Coach Pederson put it simply by saying “It’s disappointing…It’s disappointing the way we finished our season. Obviously, it’s definitely not good enough. Things start with me, and I have to make sure that I’m holding myself accountable and doing all I can to help our football team win, on and off the football field. But it’s just not good enough.”
2. Inches away. The Jaguars, after trailing 28-13 early in the third quarter, trailed 28-20 early in the fourth quarter Sunday and had a chance to tie the game midway through that final period. First, safety Andre Cisco intercepted Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill and returned it 28-yards to the Titans 28. The Jaguars drove and faced third-and-goal at the Titans one. “At that point, where it was in the game, three points really didn’t matter,” Pederson said. “You’re going to need a touchdown at some point. So, if you get the touchdown and two points right there, you’re back in the game.” Quarterback Trevor Lawrence rolled right and threw incomplete on third down. On fourth down, he tried to dive and reach the ball over the goal line, but his reach was inches short and the Titans’ maintained their 28-20 lead with 7:13 remaining. The Jaguars took possession just once more, with Lawrence throwing incomplete on fourth-and-two from the Jaguars 33 with 1:50 remaining. “Trevor’s trying…