(Gameday Photo by Nancy DeLander Beecher)
By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
JACKSONVILLE – It began with the white helmets.
Maybe they were popular with many fans, but I didn’t like them.
I knew that it could have been a long day. And it was in a 12-7 loss to the Vikings.
Then it went to Mac Jones
Mac Jones is still Mac Jones.
In his unveiling as a Jaguars’ starting quarterback Sunday at the Bank against the Vikings, Jags’ fans found out something they thought had changed from his Patriot days.
During the summer, Jones was the talk of the camp, playing and swirling around with the exuberance of a high school sophomore who just got the starting quarterback job in his return to his hometown.
All signs pointed to a new beginning in his backup role to Trevor Lawrence,
Unfortunately, Jones played out the same script as he did with many games with the Pats. He had some flash, but then he would look inadequate.
Jones marched the Jags down the field in the opening quarter and scored on a 1-yard keeper. He celebrated with a profound spike and joyous bellow to the hometown crowd.
But like in the past, that would be the end of his happy day.
Two interceptions and a key late fumble marked another insufficient effort.
Jones couldn’t lead his team back to the end zone despite having the ball for 42:19. He completed five of his first six passes but finished the day 14 of 22 for 111 yards. Jones threw for only 34 yards after halftime.
The Jags mustered just 143 -fifth feast in franchise history – yards over their 42-plus minutes, which is mind-boggling. You normally can’t win a game when your quarterback has a 38.3 rating on the afternoon.
You can’t pin this loss -their 13th in their last 16 games – on the defense, which has been their Achilles’ Heel all season. They played inspired from the start and kept their motor throughout the afternoon.
They did allow the Vikings 403 yards of offense, but quarterback Sam Darnold looked like his Jets’ days, completing 24 of 38 for 241 yards with three interceptions. His rating was a paltry 33.7.
The Jags’ defense certainly bent, as they couldn’t slow tight end T.J. Hockenson, who caught eight balls for 72 yards, a key fourth-quarter 26-yarder. They held Justin Jefferson in check with five catches 48 yards, his longest a 19-yarder.
Jacksonville’s defense had one of their best efforts of the season, as they held the Vikings to four field goals after five trips to the red zone.
The offense needed another touchdown, and they couldn’t get it.
At 2-8, the Jags are mathematically eliminated from the postseason, and a trip to the Lions’ den in 8-1 Detroit is next. Their roaring comeback, last-second win over Houston will have them hunting for prey next week.
Head coach Doug Pederson doesn’t appear to have any answers, and their bye week is in two weeks. Should they fall to 2-9, who knows what could happen.
“Never expected to be here,” stomped Pederson. “We had five or six games, they’re one-score games. It’s hard. As a team, as coaches, we’re making it hard, too hard. And the guys are frustrated, and they should be. They’re angry, and they should be because we all are. But we have to channel it in a positive way and get ready for another one.”
It was an afternoon that began with white helmets, and it ended with white flags.
And Mac Jones is still Mac Jones.
