Jaguars Liam Coen wants Trevor Lawrence to throw downfield more
Jaguars coach Liam Coen says he wants QB Trevor Lawrence to throw the ball more downfield, starting this weekend against the Chargers.
The Jaguars are preparing for a matchup against the Chargers after a disappointing loss to the Texans.Trevor Lawrence is not focused on the team’s previous comeback win against the Chargers in the 2022 playoffs.Jacksonville’s upcoming game is considered a crucial test for the 5-4 team’s season.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence bolted off the sideline.
He sprinted onto the field with pure euphoria written all over his face. Riley Patterson netted a 36-yard field goal to complete the comeback after the Jaguars trailed 27-0 in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers to win 31-30.
That was the last play of the game the last time the Jaguars faced off against the Chargers in the 2022 AFC Wild Card matchup, and wild was the best way to describe it.
But it’s at the back of Lawrence’s mind going into this week’s matchup against Justin Herbert and company.
“Obviously, good memories with that for us and our team. Obviously, a lot of guys aren’t here anymore and the teams have changed a lot, so not really much in our minds about that game going into this one,” Lawrence told reporters during his weekly media availability Nov. 12.
“Just totally different year, different set of circumstances, but obviously great memories from that game.”
The thing at the front of Lawrence’s mind is flushing a disappointing loss to the Houston Texans last week. A loss that saw the Jaguars blow a franchise-worst 19-point fourth quarter advantage and suffer a division loss after they had the game in hand.
Lawrence passed for a season-low 158 yards while competing 13-of-23 yards with a touchdown and interception. It was a rough outing against the top defense in football.
Now, he’ll have to try to bounce-back as they face a Chargers team who’s second in the AFC West and trying to catch up to the Denver Broncos.
Trevor Lawrence says game against the Chargers will be a ‘good test’ for Jaguars
The Jaguars opened the season 4-1 and were trending upward in head coach Liam Coen’s first season with the franchise. But they are 5-4 with what seems to be their entire season hanging in the balance this week against the Chargers.
If they can win, they’ll be able to get back on track before hitting a light part of their schedule with the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans as their next two games.
A loss puts them at .500 and will likely bump them out of the playoffs, something that’ll be hard to overcome as the season goes on.
“In this league it’s win or lose. It’s always a challenge. It’s hard to win,” Lawrence said. “As you can see, it’s a week-to-week league and you’ve got to bring your best and you’ve got to finish these games. I think it’s a learning lesson for our team.”
The Jaguars crumbled against the Texans. It’s the type of win that could’ve propelled the team as they sweep a division rival and overcome the top defense in the league.
Instead, they have to look in the mirror and answer a question that they’ve been asking for the last few games. What type of team are they?
“We didn’t get it done last week, we didn’t finish the game well and we own that, and we have to move on and go try to beat a really good Chargers team this week,” he said.
The Chargers ranks top five in third downs, keeping opposing offenses off the field at a high-rate. They’re doing so by getting after the quarterback, logging 29 sacks this season, which is tied for fourth best in the league.
Unfortunately, that’s an area where the Jaguars struggle with 26 sacks allowed this season and letting Lawrence be sacked 20 times in the last four games.
“You’ve got to be able to bounce back and I think it is a good test for our team,” Lawrence said. “I like the day of practice we had today. We were flying around, had some good energy and you’ve got to keep preparing that way.”