If the Doug Pederson and Trent Baalke era in Jacksonville ended on Sunday, it did so in history-making fashion.
The Lions (9-1) handed the Jaguars (2-9) their biggest loss in the franchise’s 30-year annals, with quarterback Jared Goff passing for four touchdowns and running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs rushing for three scores in Detroit’s 52-6 triumph.
Jacksonville’s biggest loss before this weekend came in the club’s debut season, a 44-0 defeat in Detroit 30 years ago.
The media arm of the National Football League, NFL Network reported Saturday that the Jaguars could make a “dramatic move” by dismissing Pederson, their head coach, and Baalke, their general manager, following a loss to the Lions, potentially during Jacksonville’s Week 12 bye.
If Jaguars owner Shad Khan intends to base such a decision on this game, it would be difficult for anyone to come up with a counterargument.
Jacksonville’s offense was again inept without franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who missed his second consecutive game with a left shoulder injury.
Backup quarterback Mac Jones completed 17-of-29 passes for 138 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per attempt. Jacksonville’s rushing game garnered a mere 2.4 yards per carry over 17 tries.
The Jaguars finished drives in Lions’ territory only three-of-nine times, taking 59 and 35-yard field goals from rookie kicker Cam Little and blowing a late third-quarter series with Jones intercepted by Detroit safety Kerby Joseph.
Detroit, meanwhile, posted touchdowns on seven straight possessions, beginning on their 70-yard opening drive with a two-yard score by Montgomery. Five of the Lions’ scoring series went for at least 80 yards.
The Lions finished with a single-game franchise-best 645 yards offensively. They went 6-of-10 on third down and three-of-three on fourth down.
The Jaguars will return to action in Jacksonville in Week 13, set to host the Houston Texans (6-4) on Dec. 1 at 1 p.m. ET. Time will tell if Pederson and Baalke will be with them.