Patriots’ 32-16 loss to Jaguars solidifies them among NFL’s very worst teams
LONDON — If the first six weeks of the season didn’t prove it already, the New England Patriots’ 32-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium solidified them among the NFL’s lowest of the low.
Getting blown out by the Texans at home is one thing. Losing by double digits to the lowly Jaguars, who were embarrassed by the Bears in England a week ago, on an international stage, no less, is a wake-up call.
Things started out on a positive note for the Patriots and rookie quarterback Drake Maye before they quickly devolved and went downhill. The Patriots couldn’t stop the Jaguars’ offense from scoring points or draining the clock in a lightning-fast overseas game.
“Look, back to the drawing board,” head coach Jerod Mayo said after the game. “We can’t sit here and pout.”
The Patriots scored a touchdown on their opening possession for the first time all season. Maye was 6-of-7 for 62 yards with a 16-yard touchdown pass on a catch-and-run from running back JaMycal Hasty. Maye’s only incompletion hit rookie wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk in his hands before Jaguars cornerback Ronald Darby ripped it out. Maye was surgical on the drive while also scrambling for 2 yards and taking one sack.
The Patriots’ defense allowed one first down on the Jaguars’ first drive before forcing them to punt. Their run defense was stout, allowing just 4 yards on two carries.
But the Patriots had to settle for a 41-yard field goal from kicker Joey Slye on their second drive, despite picking up four first downs. Maye’s third-down pass to wide receiver Kendrick Bourne hit off his hands to force the kick.
The Jaguars responded with an 8-play, 68-yard drive that ended with a 7-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Trevor Lawrence to wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who was left uncovered on the play.
A pass interference penalty by the Jaguars on the first play of the Patriots’ next series pushed them upfield 9 yards, but Maye and the offense couldn’t do anything with it. The Pats went backwards on their first two plays and were forced to punt.
The Jaguars took a 14-10 lead after running back Tank Bigsby steamrolled forward on a 1-yard touchdown run. The Jaguars got the ball downfield on a 58-yard bomb from Lawrence to Thomas over Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
“I can’t give up a big play,” said Gonzalez, who thought he pried the ball out at the end of Thomas’ catch.
The Patriots went three-and-out and allowed a 96-yard punt return touchdown from Parker Washington. Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai was flagged for a neutral zone infraction on the ensuing extra point, leading the Jaguars to go for two. Lawrence connected with Thomas over Gonzalez to go ahead 22-10.
The Patriots got the ball back and went three-and-out before punting. The Jaguars kneeled on the ball to end the half.
The Jaguars got things started in the second half by driving downfield for another field goal to extend their lead to 25-10. Maye and the Patriots got one first down before punting and pinning the Jaguars at their own 10-yard line. The Jaguars didn’t score but still prevented the Patriots from getting back on the field with a 17-play, 84-yard drive that took 11:24 off of the clock before a turnover on downs at the Patriots’ 6-yard line.
Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt finally unleashed Maye’s arm on a 33-yard pass to wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, which helped set up a 22-yard touchdown catch from Osborn to cut the Jaguars’ lead to 25-16. The Patriots attempted a two-point conversion, but Polk slipped on the turf, and Maye’s pass fell incomplete.
The Jaguars drained 4:24 off the clock with another eight-play, 26-yard drive before punting, giving the Patriots the ball back at their own 12-yard line. The Patriots gained a first down but still wound up losing yards off of a holding penalty and sack before turning the ball over on downs at their own 10-yard line.
The Patriots couldn’t stop the Jaguars on third down as Bigsby plowed forward for a 4-yard touchdown.
