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Jacksonville Jaguars can't complete comeback, lose 28-23 to Philadelphia Eagles
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- Jacksonville Jaguars can't complete comeback, lose 28-23 to Philadelphia Eagles
PHILADELPHIA — The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-7) entered the week with nothing to lose against the Philadelphia Eagles (6-2).
It showed in more ways than one.
The Jaguars mounted a valiant comeback from being down 22-0 against the Eagles , but were unable to complete it, losing 28-23. The comeback was stopped short after quarterback Trevor Lawrence was intercepted in the end zone by Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean .
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The offense totaled just 31 net yards in the first half and while they were able to get rolling a little in the second half, it was too little, too late.
GET CAUGHT UP: Jaguars fail to mount comeback against Eagles
They didn't cross midfield until about nine minutes left to play in the third quarter. Running back Travis Etienne carried the ball 16 yards to the Philadelphia 45-yard line.
Thanks to a couple of defensive plays, though, the team was back in the game halfway through the fourth quarter.
The fatal blow was a 25-yard touchdown pass from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts to receiver DeVonta Smith on third-and-22. The score extended Philly's lead to 28-16.
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Travon Walker fumble recovery touchdown gives Jaguars life in second half
The Jaguars appeared to be checked out of the game as the third quarter rolled along until Eagles running back Saquon Barkley fumbled the football on Philadelphia's first play of its second possession of the second half.
Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker scooped the ball up, running it back 35 yards for a touchdown. The Jaguars went for two and converted, cutting Philly's lead to six points, 22-16.
Jaguars, Trevor Lawrence-led offense reverts to early-season rut
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 03: Josh Sweat #19 of the Philadelphia Eagles sacks Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first quarter of a game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 03, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The Jaguars couldn't get out of their own way on offense Sunday against the Eagles.
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On the team's fifth possession of the game, Lawrence dropped back, throwing to running back Travis Etienne, who dropped the ball after it looked to be secured on first down. The ball was picked off by Eagles linebacker Zack Baun giving Philadelphia the football back inside two minutes to play in the first half.
The Jaguars trailed 10-0 and gave up a touchdown on the ensuing possession to go down 16-0 entering halftime after a failed two-point conversion by Philly.
Jacksonville's offense totaled just one first down and 32 net yards, including 16 net rushing yards and 16 net passing yards. Lawrence completed 4 of 10 passes for 23 yards and an interception. The team's leading receiver was Parker Washington , who caught one pass for 11 yards in the first half.
They possessed the football for just 8:34 compared to the Eagles' 21:26 time of possession. The Eagles totaled 187 net yards in the first half, including 91 rushing and 96 passing.
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According to ESPN's Mike DiRocco via ESPN Research, the Jaguars' 31 net yards in the first half were the second-fewest in a first half in franchise history (18 yards vs. Packers in 1995).
The Jaguars finished the game better than they started offensively but netted just 193 yards, including 61 rushing yards and 132 passing.
Lawrence finished the game 15 of 26 for 146 yards, one interception and two rushing touchdowns.
Jaguars fumble, Eagles capitalize early with 20-yard Saquon Barkley touchdown snag
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) catches a touchdown pass against Jacksonville Jaguars' defensive back Darnell Savage (6), one of seven 20-yard plays the Jaguars defense allowed in a 28-23 loss at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Jaguars got off to a great start against the Eagles, forcing a punt on the team's first possession of the game. The only problem? Jacksonville fumbled the football right back to Philadelphia.
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With starting receivers Gabe Davis and Christian Kirk out due to injuries, Jacksonville was forced to call up two practice squad receivers — Trammell and Elijah Cooks — to the active roster. Additionally, the team's primary punt returner with Devin Duvernay out, Parker Washington, took a larger role on offense.
That move forced Jacksonville to turn to Trammell, who was active for the first time with Jacksonville, as the team's primary punt returner. After fielding the punt, Trammell ran into safety Sydney Brown who forced a fumble on Trammell giving the Eagles the football right back.
On the ensuing possession, Hurts found Barkley for a 20-yard touchdown snag over Jaguars safety Darnell Savage . It marked the first, first-quarter points for the Eagles this year.
Unrelated:
Jaguars lose two offensive linemen to injury, Hodges carted off field
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 03: Cooper Hodges #75 of the Jacksonville Jaguars waves while being carted off the field in the third quarter of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 03, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
As the Jaguars looked to make a comeback, the team lost two offensive linemen on separate two-point conversion attempts. Jaguars right tackle Anton Harrison injured his knee and was given a questionable designation, while left guard Cooper Hodges injured his leg after a fumble-six play by Walker. Barkley fumbled the football in his territory after tripping over his offensive lineman.
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Harrison's injury occurred after the team scored their first points of the game via a one-yard touchdown by Lawrence. Jacksonville converted the two-point play via a throw from Lawrence to Brian Thomas Jr. Harrison re-entered the game to begin the fourth quarter.
Hodges suffered an apparent, significant leg injury on the team's second successful two-point conversion to close in on Philly's lead 22-16. He was ruled out shortly after.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars lose 28-23 to Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9
