PHILADELPHIA — In a dramatic game, Trevor Lawrence led the Jacksonville Jaguars in a thrilling comeback, but fell short in the final moments as the Philadelphia Eagles secured a 28-23 victory on Sunday night. The disappointing ending stemmed from Lawrence’s last-minute pass intended for running back D’Ernest Johnson, which was intercepted by linebacker Nakobe Dean in the end zone, ultimately thwarting Jacksonville’s chance at a significant win.
“We needed to make the right plays, and they did,” head coach Doug Pederson remarked. With just 1:42 remaining and Jacksonville facing a critical fourth down at the Eagles’ 13-yard line, Lawrence decided to go for the end zone on first down. Pederson explained, “You have to gamble in situations like this. We needed a score, and I trusted our defense could give us another shot if it didn’t work.”
Faced with mounting pressure, Pederson is navigating a challenging season with the Jaguars, who were labeled by owner Shad Khan as the best team in franchise history during the preseason, yet find themselves in dire need of a miraculous turnaround to reach the playoffs. Lawrence reflected on the series of setbacks, saying, “This has been the same story too many times this season.”
A former Eagles coach, Pederson previously led the franchise to its only Super Bowl title in 2017, and to commemorate that achievement, a statue stands proudly outside the stadium. However, the Jaguars struggled heavily in the first half of this game, amassing merely 32 yards and one first down. It was not until the third quarter that they managed to cross midfield, with a surge of late-game scores that included two touchdowns in quick succession.
Originally slated for a prime-time spotlight, the game was demoted to a late-afternoon kickoff due to the Jaguars’ dismal performance this season. As the game progressed into the night, it appeared the Jaguars might finally live up to the expectations set at the start of the year. Pederson, familiar with securing late victories in Philadelphia, received a warm welcome during pre-game festivities, embracing Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni.
Jacksonville entered the match with challenges, including injuries and trades, forcing them to adapt rapidly. Christian Kirk was sidelined for the remainder of the season after collarbone surgery, and second-year wide receiver Parker Washington stepped up in his place, recording three catches for 41 yards. Other key injuries affected the team’s dynamic, as Gabe Davis was ruled out with a shoulder issue, and Brian Thomas Jr. played through rib discomfort.
Despite setbacks, the Jaguars showcased resilience in the second half. Lawrence sparked a comeback with a 1-yard touchdown run and later connected on a 2-point conversion, cutting the deficit to 22-8. Shortly after, Saquon Barkley fumbled for the Eagles, allowing Travon Walker to return the loose ball 35 yards for a touchdown, further narrowing the scoreline to 22-16.
Ultimately, Lawrence, who completed 16 of 31 passes for 169 yards with two interceptions thrown to Eagles linebackers, added another touchdown with a four-yard scramble, bringing the score to 28-23. Unfortunately for Jacksonville, that interception at the end solidified their defeat.
The Jaguars now face an uphill battle, having lost 12 of their last 15 games, a stark contrast to their promising 8-3 start last season. Their struggles have become evident through slow starts, critical mistakes, and a tendency to falter during key moments, all of which were once again on display in Philadelphia.