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Mac Jones settling in as Jacksonville Jaguars QB despite 'disappointing' loss to Jets
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- Mac Jones settling in as Jacksonville Jaguars QB despite 'disappointing' loss to Jets
Mac Jones is still having fun.
The Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11) didn't get the outcome they wanted, falling 32-25 to the New York Jets (4-10) at EverBank Stadium, but Jones was one of the bright spots throughout much of the contest.
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The fourth-year QB completed 31 of 46 passes for 294 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions against New York's fourth-ranked pass defense that came into the contest allowing just 186.9 yards per game through the air.
Jones added four rushes for 29 yards. It was his best game in a Jaguars uniform, and head coach Doug Pederson called his performance "tough," something he can build on.
GAME THAT WAS: Jacksonville Jaguars fall 32-25 to Jets despite record-setting day by Brian Thomas Jr.
"Mac gets more comfortable with the things we're doing and what he likes. He played tough. He played physical, some scrambles in there, so it was a good performance," Pederson said.
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Jones has started three games this season including the team's Week 13 loss to the Tennessee Titans and the two games before the team's Week 12 bye week due to injuries to starting QB Trevor Lawrence .
Lawrence was placed on injured reserve after an injury to his left, non-throwing shoulder against the Philadelphia Eagles and after sustaining a concussion in Week 13 against the Houston Texans .
Jones will have an opportunity to build on his performance through the final three games of the season.
Mac Jones looks to finish season strong for hometown team
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) it brought down by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Maason Smith (94) during the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jets held off the Jaguars 32-25. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
It wasn't the result that Jones wanted, but he felt like he was comfortable against the Jets on Sunday.
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"For me, it kind of ruins it because we didn't win. I'm always about that. But at the same time, I've been very hard on myself in the past. My goal is to finish this year strong and see where it takes us. I'm bummed," Jones said in postgame.
"I'm disappointed because we were in that game. I'm looking at it from a professional standpoint and what can I do better? And I thought the coaches called a good game and the players executed for the most part. I've just got to make a couple more plays and we'll be in a different spot."
Entering Sunday's game, Jones completed 65% of his passes for 732 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions. In his starts, the team's offense didn't score more than 10 points. On Sunday, the offense scored 25 points.
He said that he felt comfortable during and exiting the week.
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"For sure. It's been an up-and-down year. But that's your job as a backup quarterback to be in there getting ready to play. We had some guys injured this year. I feel like the young guys have stepped up and made plays," said Jones.
"And to hang with a good team like that, I mean, it was good, but I want to win. Everybody wants to win. We'll find ways to do that these next three."
Still, Jones was tough on himself as always, understanding that he needed to make the play when it mattered.
At the end of the game, Jones threw an interception on third-and-1 with one timeout remaining and 44 seconds on the clock.
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"As a quarterback, you just want to get the game to the fourth quarter, and we did. Last week we got down there and won it," said Jones. "This week we didn't. That's on me. I know I've got to get it to the fourth. That was my plan all along."
Jaguars defense has no answer for 'minimally athletic' Aaron Rodgers
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and wide receiver Davante Adams (17) high-five each other as they walks off the field after the game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jets held off the Jaguars 32-25. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers made it look easy against Jacksonville in the second half and it wasn't just through the air, but on the ground, too.
Rodgers finished the game as the team's leading rusher with six carries for 45 yards (7.5 yards per carry).
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After the game, Rodgers said he takes pride in doing that.
"I take a lot of pride in my minimal athleticism, but this is what I trained so hard for during those nine months, the three to try to get back early and the six to get all the way back was to be able to move around," Rodgers said with a laugh.
"Obviously I've felt a lot better. You guys know it. You've seen it the last few weeks."
Rodgers had been dealing with a hamstring injury for several weeks leading up to Sunday's game. He looked completely healthy Sunday.
After completing just three passes in the first half, Rodgers finished the game completing 16 out of 30 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns.
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After the game, Pederson complimented Rodgers and receiver Davante Adams for their performance against his defensive unit.
"He's a great receiver. I mean, Aaron [Rodgers] is a great quarterback. He's a Hall of Fame quarterback. So they made plays that we didn't make, and that part's unfortunate," Pederson said.
"I thought we did some good things. But, again, it comes down to just a couple plays that your season or your game or whatever could be a little bit different. But give credit, I mean, those are two good players."
Rodgers had all day to throw against Jacksonville. He was sacked one time by Jeremiah Ledbetter on an extended play, but otherwise, the team had just two other quarterback hits.
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"I think the line was outstanding. I mean, I had so much time all day long," said Rodgers. "And when I didn't, I was moving around pretty good. But, yeah, I think the line just really played well."
Jaguars linebacker Foye Oluokun emphasized communication. Though he said the team had good communication, he harped on it the most during his post-game availability.
"But you've got to understand, offenses might understand what you're communicating and understand your assignments and then do a little variation. That changes responsibility a little bit, just how you're reading the play," Oluokun said.
"So, keep learning, keep growing. We've got young guys and stuff, just keep learning, keep growing, keep overcommunicating out there. I want to see it keep growing until the end of the year because regardless of what happens, I think we can all become better football players by the end of the year."
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The Jaguars have three games remaining on their schedule. They'll travel to Las Vegas to face the Raiders next week before returning home to face the Tennessee Titans and finishing up the season on the road against the Indianapolis Colts .
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars fall to Jets despite Mac Jones' best showing
