LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars’ 19-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in a 2024 Week 16 game at Allegiant Stadium Sunday
John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…
- Same story, different day. The Jaguars on Sunday not only lost for a seventh time in eight games – they lost remarkably similarly to how they have lost too often this season. They had a chance late, but couldn’t hold a fourth-quarter lead and couldn’t make a clutch play late when such a play could have won the game. The result: A ninth loss of the season by a touchdown or less – and while that means the Jaguars have been close, the truth is the NFL is a league of close games and when you can’t win them, it means you’re not good enough. Head Coach Doug Pederson’s disappointment and frustration was evident as he spoke to the media following the game, and he was asked about the difficulty of enduring losses – and the mistakes that lead to the losses – in repetitive fashion as the end of a disappointing season approaches. “I’m sure there’s some [self-doubt],” Pederson said. “When a bad play happens or a penalty, with where we are in our season, I’m sure that creeps in. Guys are human. They’re going to feel that emotion. It’s the mental toughness. It’s the grind. It’s the grit and determination. The guys show it and they have shown it, but we just haven’t been able to overcome some of those setbacks.” He added, “It’s that mental toughness we talk about.” The Jaguars indeed have lacked mental toughness this season. But mostly they have lacked the ability to make big plays at big times. Maybe it’s the same thing. Either way, that too-familiar refrain has defined the season and it was heard yet again Sunday.
- This was late-season, out-of-the-playoff-chase football. Unlike last Sunday’s loss to the New York Jets, Sunday’s Jaguars loss had an end-of-season feel. Not that…
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