Trevor Lawrence went to Jacksonville because the Jaguars‘ first-ever No. 1 total choose. His plan to deliver the Jags to relevance was derailed by Urban Meyer in Year 1, however issues had been supposed to show round in 2022 with Doug Pederson.

Almost midway by the season, Lawrence has proven the type of linear development you’d count on for such a heralded choose. The Jags are 2-6 after their 21-17 loss to Denver in London, and Lawrence is aware of his play should enhance after a two-interception efficiency.

“I’ve got to play better, and I’ll leave it at that,” Lawrence informed reporters after the sport. “I didn’t play well enough today to win.”

Lawrence has thrown six interceptions this season. All six have come within the purple zone or within the remaining two minutes of a one-score recreation.

Against Denver, Lawrence threw a horrible interception ultimately zone, simply 1 yard away from scoring within the second quarter. Later, trailing by 4 factors with lower than 2 minutes left within the recreation, the potential game-winning drive ended as quickly because it began with an interception.

“We’re just going to continue to grow. We’re going to grow together,” head coach Doug Pederson stated after the sport. “I just told him to keep his head up, stay confident. I want to put the ball back in his hands and just show the trust that we have, that I have, in him and that the team has. He knows that we’ve got to be better in a few situations, but again, those are really good learning opportunities for Trevor.”

The Jaguars have but to win a recreation this season once they commit a turnover. After going 2-4 in one-score video games final 12 months, the Jags are 0-6 in video games determined by eight or fewer factors.

And whereas Lawrence has been one of many league’s worst fourth-quarter quarterbacks, his play within the remaining 4 minutes of halves is most regarding.

In the ultimate 4 minutes of the second and fourth quarters, Lawrence is 34-of-68 for 331 yards, one landing and three interceptions. Only rookie Kenny Pickett has thrown extra interceptions. He’s additionally going for the massive play, with solely Aaron Rodgers making an attempt extra throws of 15 plus yards within the air. And his 50.6 passer ranking is the third-worst amongst certified passers.

There should not have been lifelike expectations of playoffs or bust for the Jaguars this 12 months, however what the Jags and Lawrence are doing proper now qualifies as under expectation.

The newest commerce deadline rumblings

The Broncos are very all for getting extra draft picks in 2023. Trading Bradley Chubb can be painful, however there’s clearly curiosity across the league. Sources I speak to are cut up on whether or not Chubb or Jerry Jeudy is extra more likely to be dealt. There would not appear to be a lot need league-wide for tight finish Albert Okwuegbunam in the intervening time.

Speaking of the commerce deadline, the NFL would not need groups to nakedly purchase draft picks, and that is been the case ever because the league allowed Brock Osweiler to be dealt for a second-round choose. But the Bears primarily purchased a fourth-rounder for the $7.1 million they’re consuming within the Robert Quinn deal, and one thing like that should be completed if Brandin Cooks is moved by Tuesday’s deadline. Cooks’ $18 million base wage in 2023 is assured already. A crew wishing to accumulate Cooks will both must be prepared to take that on or have Houston eat a big portion of it, however the latter choice would require a better draft choose.

Ready for extra venting from Vikings‘ Peterson

After Sunday, I can not wait to listen to the most recent All Things Covered podcast from my man Bryant McFadden and Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson.

Peterson took some unbelievable pleasure in his victory over his former crew this week — together with poking enjoyable at Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray‘s video-game habits. Peterson stated after the sport he by no means obtained a telephone name from GM Steve Keim upon not being retained with the Cardinals, who drafted him No. 5 total in 2011.

In a relatively explosive and curious second, he revealed he as soon as (or maybe greater than as soon as?) got here to his locker and noticed a printed e-mail from a season-ticket holder complaining about his degree of play. Peterson stated the e-mail had been despatched to “the owner.” And one should presume it had been positioned at his locker deliberately for some type of motivational tactic.

McFadden and Peterson will report the podcast Tuesday and it’ll drop Wednesday. Ace producer Eric Deberardinis will not have the ability to get it out shortly sufficient.

More insider notes from Week 8

• The Minnesota Vikings could clinch the NFC West when you’re nonetheless hanging Christmas decorations. The Vikings at the moment are 6-1 after the remainder of the division misplaced Sunday. Green Bay and Chicago are 3-5 and the 1-6 Lions could have the No. 1 total choose subsequent spring.
• I do not see why the Panthers do not hold rolling with P.J. Walker subsequent week towards the Bengals. Walker regarded pedestrian (get it?) within the first half earlier than turning it on after halftime. The offense is just higher with Walker over something we have seen so removed from Baker Mayfield. The crew is enjoying higher and tougher for interim head coach Steve Wilks and folk I speak to within the constructing know that.
• I used to be stunned to see Frank Reich be so conservative Sunday. He kicked two discipline objectives from fourth-and-3 and fourth-and-2. On fourth-and-1 from his personal 34, with 2:47 left within the recreation and with Washington holding all three of its timeouts, he determined to punt to the Commanders. Each choice by itself I might probably perceive, however all three? He’s gone for it seven occasions this 12 months, under the league common of 10 and tied for twenty third within the league. The Colts had the seventh-most fourth-down makes an attempt in 2020 and 2021 mixed.