JACKSONVILLE - A Jacksonville Jaguars offense that averaged 32.9 points a game over a franchise-record 11 consecutive games managed just 56 yards on its final three drives in a 20-13 loss to the Denver Broncos, and Head Coach Liam Coen said Wednesday the team has no margin for a repeat performance against the New England Patriots.
“There’s definitely a sense of urgency,” Coen said as the AFC South-leading Jaguars (1-1) prepared to host the Patriots (1-1) at EverBank Stadium on Sunday.
The collapse was stark. Jacksonville led 13-3 early in the third quarter before the offense went cold, surrendering the lead and the game. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who addressed the media Wednesday, did not deflect blame. “We definitely want to play better offensively, just in general,” Lawrence said. “I felt good about our plan last week. We just didn’t necessarily execute it the best.”
Coen pointed to practice quality as a root cause, saying the Jaguars fell short of their own standards in preparation last week. “We have to have higher standards with how we practice,” he said. “We have to make plays in practice: Pitch and catch, make good plays, sustain blocks longer, rush and cover better - all that stuff has to improve this week.”
Distribution of the ball also drew scrutiny. Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has caught six passes for 80 yards through two games, and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers has three receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Brenton Strange has four catches for 40 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, receiver Wan’Dale Washington leads the team with 12 receptions for 181 yards and a touchdown - including seven catches for 98 yards against Denver - creating an imbalance Coen called unacceptable. “We have to do a better job getting everybody involved,” Lawrence said. “The offense is going to run through everyone at some point. It’s not a one-man show.”
Coen said the fix starts early in games. “Just getting those guys some more opportunities, especially early on in the game and try to get everybody a little bit more into the rhythm,” he said. Washington, for his part, said the response begins with tempo. “That’s part of the response, still being us and coming out there and starting fast,” Washington said.
A separate storyline surrounds No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter, the cornerback-receiver out of the 2025 NFL Draft who has played 66 defensive snaps (58.41 percent) and just 10 offensive snaps (8.62 percent) through two games. Hunter recorded one reception for eight yards in a Week 1 win over Cleveland and has five tackles with a pass defensed on defense. He played only seven games as a rookie before a season-ending knee injury and missed the offseason program before returning for 2026 training camp. “It’s a balancing act you’re continuously working through,” Coen said. “He missed a lot of pitching and catching. He missed a lot of chemistry with the quarterback. We have to look at everything we’re doing, touches, targets - all that stuff.”
Lawrence said confidence in the group remains intact heading into Sunday. “I feel confident in our group and our prep that we’ll be ready to go as we move forward,” he said. Kickoff against New England at EverBank Stadium is Sunday.