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Jaguars' Pederson doesn't want to explain things, out of answers after loss to Vikings
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- Jaguars' Pederson doesn't want to explain things, out of answers after loss to Vikings
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8) head coach Doug Pederson looked defeated as he stepped to the podium Sunday after the team's 12-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings .
The last time the Jaguars started the season 2-8 was in 2021 under then-head coach Urban Meyer. Now, in the third year of the Pederson era, the team returns to a familiar place of not knowing what's going on.
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"We never expected to be here," Pederson said when asked about the big picture of starting the season 2-8. "We had five or six games, one-score games. It's hard. As a team, as coaches, we're making it hard, we're making it too hard."
TAKEAWAYS: Jacksonville Jaguars struggle on offense without Trevor Lawrence, lose 12-7 to Vikings
At one point in the postgame press conference, Pederson told reporters that they wouldn't understand a play when asked what was supposed to happen after a second interception by quarterback Mac Jones .
"I'm not gonna go through the details of the play because you guys wouldn't figure it out. But, we'll look at the tape tomorrow and make those corrections," said Pederson.
Jacksonville hasn't figured anything out since the start of the season. Sunday marked Jacksonville's third-straight loss and yet again Pederson was without answers.
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According to NFL on CBS, the Jaguars are the first team to lose a game where they allowed zero touchdowns and recorded three or more turnovers.
Jaguars starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence missed Sunday's game due to a reported left AC joint sprain suffered against the Philadelphia Eagles .
Doug Pederson doesn't put loss on Mac Jones' shoulders
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) is sacked during the third quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Vikings defeated the Jaguars 12-7. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville's defense did its part Sunday. While they didn't limit the Vikings in yards (402), the team held them to just 12 points (four field goals), recorded three interceptions and held the best receiver in the league — Justin Jefferson — to five catches for 48 yards.
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"I thought defense did an outstanding job with the type of firepower they have on offense. I know there was yards, time of possession, but to hold that team to four field goals, it gives you a chance," said Pederson.
"Obviously we had the drive in the first quarter, touchdown drive and then after that, we couldn't stay on the field."
Jaguars backup quarterback Mac Jones completed just 14 of 22 passes for 111 yards and two interceptions. Jones' two picks came in two out of the team's final three drives of the game to seal the win for Minnesota.
Still, Pederson didn't want to lay blame on his backup QB, noting that it "takes 11 guys."
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"He's hurting. He's taking it hard. I just told him, again it's not about one guy. This is a team deal and offensively we didn't do enough around Mac — and I'm not — list, it takes 11 guys.
The Jaguars couldn't do anything on offense. Even with 10 possessions, Jacksonville didn't have answers. That included three possessions gifted to Jacksonville. The team averaged just 2.9 yards per play over the 16 plays following Darnold 's three interceptions.
After completing eight passes in the first half of the game, Jones completed just six passes in the second half, four of them coming during the team's final drive of the game.
Jacksonville didn't run the ball well, either. They rushed for 56 net yards on the ground, including 40 from running back Travis Etienne on 11 carries. The Jaguars totaled 44 net rushing yards in the first half, finishing the game with 12 in the second half.
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The dysfunction was palpable, but Jaguars players and Pederson did not want to put all the blame on Jones.
"You got to think about it. He didn't want to come out and have that type of performance. He's playing in his hometown with everyone that he knows and loves," Etienne said after the game when asked about Jones' performance.
"I mean, it's a lot of things he wish he could have got back. Just being a competitor, I definitely understand where he's coming from."
Jones accepted criticism after the game, noting that he's played football his whole life and a lot in the NFL. He said he knows what he has to do to win.
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"I've just got to keep working and do everything I can to stay motivated and confident and lead the team as best I can with Trevor [QB Trevor Lawrence] being out," said Jones.
Jaguars tight end Evan Engram said the team has to play better around Jones.
"Mac did everything he could. Energy was incredible. Obviously, there are ups and downs in a game. He stayed confident. Great communication on the sidelines. You gotta be better for him. You got to put him in better spots. You got to make plays," said Jaguars tight end Evan Engram when asked about Jones.
Jones could be the team's starting quarterback next week if Lawrence is unable to suit up due to a shoulder injury. Lawrence will miss the third game of his NFL career due to injury he he does not play next week.
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Jaguars road gets tougher before it gets easy
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson (L) has struggled to get quarterback Trevor Lawrence (R), sidelined the past two games with a shoulder injury, to be more productive during his three seasons with the No. 1 draft pick from the 2021 draft.
The Jaguars will sandwich a bye week in between two tough matchups over the next three weeks.
In Week 11, they'll travel up north to face the red-hot Detroit Lions before getting a much-needed bye week before facing off against the Houston Texans in Week 13.
After the 1 p.m. games concluded, the Jaguars held the first-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. If things stay the way they've been going, it will mark the third time in five years that the team has been selected first overall.
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: Jaguars HC Doug Pederson upset, out of answers after loss to Vikings
