Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson highlighted three crucial plays that led to Jacksonville’s second-half demise against Miami Sunday, resulting in a 20-17 loss to begin his squad’s season.
If not for 80 and 63-yard gains by Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and a fumble by Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. as he was two yards away from scoring a lead-extending touchdown — all in the third quarter — Jacksonville likely would have emerged victorious from Hard Rock Stadium in Week 1, Pederson implied.
“You take away two of those explosives and one fumble on offense, it’s a different ball game,” proclaimed Pederson.
Find everything Pederson said after Jacksonville’s campaign-opening defeat in his post-game press conference below.
Question: The fourth down call in the second half, was that just trying to gain a little bit of momentum?
DOUG PEDERSON: No, it was trying to stay on the field. Really just wanted to stay on the field. Execute the play, stay on the field. First-and-10, they stopped us, made a play, and then it turned into a good situation because they ended up missing the field goal there. But no, just wanted to stay on the field.
Q: You had 105 yards in the second half, putting together the one big drive that RB Travis Etienne Jr. fumbled, can you talk how much wind that took out of the sails?
DOUG PEDERSON: Yeah, it takes a little wind out, but guys battled. The defense stepped up and made some stops. It was just kind of a tale of two halves, really. We made plays in the first half, they made plays in the second half, so credit them.
Q: Cornerback Tyson Campbell with the hamstring injury —
DOUG PEDERSON: I think so. I’ll check him out here in a little bit on the way back and probably have an update for you tomorrow.
Q: What do you say to RB Travis Etienne Jr. after that play?
DOUG PEDERSON: I just told him keep his head up. He’s a good player. We’re going to give him the football a lot this season. It’s Week 1. Learn from it and we’ll be better.
Q: What was your reaction to QB Trevor Lawrence’s performance today?
DOUG PEDERSON: I thought he did some good things in the first half. He saw the field, did some good things. I think in the second half, our lack of execution offensively – it wasn’t just one person. It really comes down to our third-down conversion in this football game and not staying on the field. I thought Trevor played a good game. We’ll look at it, make the corrections and get ready for next week.
Q: What about the rookie debut of WR Brian Thomas Jr. had?
DOUG PEDERSON: I thought he did some good things. Game is not too big for him, and great touchdown catch obviously there in the first half and did some good things. Played tough and physical in the run game, as well.
Q: Were those communication breakdowns in the secondary on the backend on the touchdown?
DOUG PEDERSON: Yeah, I’ll have to get with Ryan and the guys. In the moment — it happens so fast and you’re switching gears. So we’ve got to look at the tape and figure out what happened.
Q: You might have been asked about this already, but the defense’s play for the most part held Miami in check in terms of the explosives. How did you feel about their performance?
DOUG PEDERSON: I thought they did a nice job today. You take away two of those explosives and one fumble on offense, it’s a different ball game. But listen, it’s a team game, team sport, but the defense played well and kept us plugging away in the second half at least.
Q: Are you disappointed in the back-to-back sacks, the offensive line’s play on the edge the last time you had the ball?
DOUG PEDERSON: Yeah, it’s a longer yardage situation, too, and you’re going to have to ask Trevor to hold the football a little bit. Coverage did a nice job in the secondary, that’s just football.
Q: Overall you ran it well. Are you encouraged by that?
DOUG PEDERSON: I am encouraged by that. There’s something there to work with and build on. We’ll improve each week. We’ll keep getting better.