The Jaguars’ tumultuous 2024 season took another hit on Sunday with a disappointing 35-16 loss to the Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The game left fans and analysts alike searching for answers as to what went wrong for Jacksonville.
The defense, which had been a bright spot for the team in previous weeks, faltered against Chicago. There were “no real surprises here,” said one observer. The Jaguars’ linebackers saw significant snap counts, but it was the use of Arik Armstead and Roy Robertson-Harris at edge that raised eyebrows. “I simply do not understand the use of these players that results in my 4th and 5th defensive linemen combining for more than 50% of snaps in an NFL game while my defense struggles to stop the opponent,” lamented a concerned fan.
Jordan Jefferson’s debut also caught the attention of many, with a 30% snap rate in his first game. It was a move that was seen as “interesting” by some, and it remains to be seen how he will fit into the Jaguars’ defensive scheme moving forward.
Penalties were another issue for Jacksonville in Sunday’s loss, with 8 accepted by the Bears on the day. The untimely penalties came at crucial moments, with three occurring on the same scoring drive while the game was still within reach. “It’s frustrating to see these mistakes cost us in such a close game,” said one player after the disappointing loss.
Overall, the Jaguars will need to regroup and address their defensive issues if they hope to turn their season around. The loss to the Bears was a harsh reminder that there is still work to be done if Jacksonville wants to compete with the best teams in the league.
