LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens provide brief thoughts on the Jaguars’ 19-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in a Week 16, 2024 game at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday

John Oehser, Jaguars senior writer…

1. Same story, different day. The Jaguars didn’t just lose for the seventh time in eight games on Sunday – they lost in remarkably similar ways to the way they’ve lost too many times this season. They had a chance late, but couldn’t hold onto the lead in the fourth quarter and couldn’t make a crucial play late, even though such a play could have won the game. The result: A ninth loss of the season by a touchdown or less – and while that means the Jaguars came close, the truth is that the NFL is a close league and not winning it means that man it’s not good enough. Head coach Doug Pederson’s disappointment and frustration was evident as he spoke to the media after the game, and he was asked how difficult it is to endure defeats – and the mistakes that lead to the defeats – over and over again The end of a disappointing season is approaching. “I’m sure there’s some (self-doubt),” Pederson said. “If there is a bad play or a penalty, it will definitely creep up, the way we are in our season. Boys are people.” You will feel this feeling. It’s mental strength. It’s the grind. It’s the courage and determination. The guys are showing it and they’ve shown it, but we just haven’t been able to overcome some of those setbacks.” He added, “It’s that mental toughness we’re talking about.” The Jaguars have it this season actually lacked mental strength. But mostly they lacked the ability to make big plays in big times. Maybe it’s the same thing. Either way, that all-too-familiar refrain has defined the season, and it was heard again on Sunday.
2. This was late-season, non-playoff football. Unlike last Sunday’s loss to the New York Jets, the Jaguars’ loss on Sunday felt like a season-ending loss. Not that the Jaguars didn’t try, but there was a sloppiness that made it seem like both teams were playing with no postseason implications. Plus, for the Jaguars, it had the feel of a game with a backup quarterback and a number of skill position players out of commission. After the Jaguars took a 7-0 lead with an impressive early drive in the first quarter, quarterback Mac Jones – making his fifth start in six games in place of injured starter Trevor Lawrence – struggled to find consistency. The Raiders took advantage of the lull to take a 13-7 halftime lead – and aside from a 62-yard touchdown pass from Jones to wide receiver Brian Thomas, in which a coverage lapse left Thomas incredibly open the Jaguars never posed a serious offensive threat again. Credit to the Raiders: They played with the passion and will that the Jaguars had shown in recent weeks. And on we go.