A Lose-Lose Night for the Jags

12/05/2023 A Lose-Lose Night for the Jags

By: Jeff Yoder

Jaguars Fall to Bengals on MNF (34-31, OT) and lose QB Trevor Lawrence to Ankle Injury

Can’t spell ‘Jacksonville’ without two L’s, and that’s what they got on Monday Night Football. The highly-anticipated MNF matchup between the Jaguars and Bengals was already without Joe Burrow. By night’s end, it was also without Trevor Lawrence. Instead, fans were watching Jake Browning — who played an incredible game — dueling with C.J. Beathard. And that’s indicative of how cruel injuries have been for star quarterbacks this season in the NFL. Burrow suffered a broken hand a few weeks ago, but Lawrence had his right ankle stepped on by his own lineman before getting twisted like a pretzel in the 4th quarter. He limped to the locker room and did not return. Early reports are calling it a sprain, but it looked ugly. When Lawrence left, so did the Jags’ spirits.

 

MNF: The game was tied 28-all when Lawrence went out. Both teams tacked on two late field goals to reach overtime at 31-all. The Jags hit a huge pass play to get inside the red zone on their first possession, but it was called back for a holding penalty. The drive ended without points, and Browning delivered. He led a drive down the field to set up the game-winning field goal by Evan McPherson (48 yards), and the AFC just got a bizarre plot-twist in the playoff picture. The Bengals (6-6) are alive with Browning, and the Jags (8-4) might be in trouble without Lawrence.

 

Fun Facts: The Jaguars-Bengals game featured five different ties, the most of any NFL game this season. It’s also the Bengals’ first Monday Night Football road win since 1990 (snaps 9-game road losing streak).

 

QB Comparison

J. Browning (CIN): 32/37, 354 yards, 2 TDs

T. Lawrence (JAX): 22/29, 258 yards, 3 TDs

C. Beathard (JAX): 9/10, 63 yards

 

Other Top Performers

WR J. Chase (CIN): 11 receptions, 149 yards, 1 TD

RB J. Mixon (CIN): 25 touches, 117 yards, 2 TDs

RB T. Etienne Jr. (JAX): 15 touches, 79 yards, 1 TD

LB J. Allen (JAX): 7.5 tackles, 1.5 sacks

 

Watch: Browning, Bengals Stay Alive With MNF Thriller (34-31, OT)

 

Read More

SI: Trevor Lawrence’s Health in Question After Suffering Ankle Injury

CBS Sports: Who is Jake Browning? Everything to Know About Bengals Rookie Who Stunned Jaguars in Place of Joe Burrow

 

Photo: Mike Carlson / Getty Images