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Jacksonville Jaguars' Doug Pederson pragmatic on job status: 'I can't control' future
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- Jacksonville Jaguars' Doug Pederson pragmatic on job status: 'I can't control' future
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) head coach Doug Pederson isn't worrying about his job security after the team's 52-6 loss to the Detroit Lions (9-1) on Sunday.
Ahead of the contest, multiple reports surfaced regarding impending changes happening in Jacksonville, namely Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke potentially being shown the door.
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"You know what, I can't control that and you know — listen, I've been around this League a long time and if it's going to happen, it's going to happen obviously, but at the same time, I still have a job to do and that's to get ready for a good division opponent here in two weeks," Pederson said after Sunday's loss.
Pederson did not rule out coaching changes during the bye week if he remains on as the team's head coach.
"I don't know yet. Something I have to think about and it's just — it's hard. It's hard to put it all on, I think, one person. I think coaches have to look at themselves, we have to look — I have to start there, look at myself and obviously the staff and what are we doing, how are we preparing our players, and then same way with the players, right?" Pederson said.
"They have to look at themselves and be critical of themselves and then make the changes, make the corrections that we need to get better. So, I'll process a few things and — but I'm glad that we have the bye right now though."
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WHAT HAPPENED?! Jacksonville Jaguars embarrassed, lose 52-6 to Detroit Lions amid coaching change rumors
The Jaguars had no answer for the Lions during the team's ninth loss, securing a losing season for the first time since 2021. The Lions out-gained the Jaguars by 475 yards on Sunday. That's the biggest yardage differential in an NFL game since 1979.
The Jaguars mustered just 170 total net yards and 10 first downs. They converted just 2 of 10 third downs. Defensively, Jacksonville gave up 645 total net yards, the second most in franchise history. They allowed the Lions to score touchdowns on their first seven possessions of the game. A complete embarrassment on both sides of the ball.
The 52 points are the most scored against the Jaguars in history. It's the worst loss in team history since their loss to the Lions in 1995.
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The only saving grace for the Jaguars was the team's special teams unit .
A defeated Pederson struggled to find the words to describe the beatdown that transpired in Detroit.
"It's difficult to find words because everybody's so disappointed, frustrated, angry," said Pederson when asked what he told the team after the loss. "It's the emotion of how much you put into the week and then playing like we did. So, it's frustrating."
Pederson gave kudos to the Lions, who look to be a serious contender for this year's Super Bowl title after picking up their ninth win of the season.
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"It's a good team. They're rolling. They're playing well. [Lions QB] Jared [ Goff ] is playing really good and you can see how this team has really come together," Pederson said of Detroit. "All three phases are playing well, so credit to what [Lions] coach [Dan] Campbell's been doing and really getting these guys to buy in and play well."
Trevor Lawrence injury update: Pederson unsure of starting QB's status after bye week
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) talks to head coach Doug Pederson before an NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jaguars starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence has missed the last two games of the season due to a left, non-throwing shoulder injury sustained in Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles .
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After the game, Pederson was asked if Lawrence could return following the team's Week 12 bye. Pederson was uncertain about Lawrence's health and did not indicate whether or not he would play.
"We'll see how he does during the week of this bye and see where he's at," Pederson said. "I'm not going to commit right now. Obviously, we still got a ways away, but we'll see. We'll see how he does this week and we got time, so we'll figure that out."
In his place, the Jaguars have used backup QB Mac Jones , who the team acquired via trade earlier this year. Jones has struggled mightily through two games.
Jones completed 37 of 60 passes for 277 yards and three interceptions this year.
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Doug Pederson says Jaguars coaches and players need a break after long 11 weeks
For Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson, it's hard to look at his team's debilitating performance in Sunday's 52-6 loss to the Detroit Lions and not think this might be the beginning of the end for his three-year tenure.
Pederson opted not to take a bye week directly following the team's London series during Weeks 6 and 7 as allowed by the NFL. Instead, the team played 11 straight games to open the season with the bye week coming next week, Week 12.
After the game, Pederson mentioned multiple times that the team needed a break after a long stretch without much rest. They've lost their last four games of the season, and five of their last six.
"Our break, obviously, comes at the right time. Our guys need some time away. They need to regard, coaches, players. But we do need to take, I think, the first part of the week and really reflect and go back and study and as coaches to see what's been good and what hasn't been good," Pederson said.
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"So that's the great opportunity that we have. Six games left and it'll be exciting because most of those, I think four of six, are division games."
The Jaguars have lost 14 games through their last 17 dating back to the 2023 season. They've won just three games since their Week 12 victory over the Houston Texans last year.
Jacksonville has dealt with several injuries this season, including Lawrence. Jacksonville's offense lost receiver Christian Kirk during the team's Week 8 loss to the Green Bay Packers . Kirk broke his collarbone.
Mac Jones voices support for Doug Pederson amid firing rumors
After the game, Jones was asked about pushing out the noise that surrounded the Jaguars this week. The fourth-year QB said he doesn't have social media and only focuses on the guys in the room, his family and support staff.
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"I really enjoy the people that I've worked with this year. Coach Pederson's awesome. He's a great coach. Obviously it's not going our way right now, but he's definitely a great leader of men," Jones said. "We're going to keep working and figure it out. I think the bye week is a great opportunity to do that."
Jacksonville has six games left on its schedule, including four games against opponents in the division. Still, the QB said the team can't focus on anything external.
"In the NFL you never know what the weekend's going to bring you, but you just want to try to be in it at the end. Obviously we weren't this week. It stinks, we've just got to keep working and come together," said Jones. "Like I said, it wasn't our day today. Just got to get it to where we're competing in the fourth quarter, each guy doing their job and not focused on external factors."
The Jaguars will be off next week for their aforementioned bye week before returning to EverBank Stadium for the team's Week 13 game against the Houston Texans.
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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' Doug Pederson uncertain on future after 2-9 star
