CINCINNATI, Ohio – Senior writer John Oehser examines five key plays from the Jaguars' 31-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in a 2025 Week 2 game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sunday
1. Oh no. Missed opportunities and mistakes defined the Jaguars' loss Sunday, and perhaps no mistake hurt as much as a late dropped pass by Pro Bowl wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. This came with 3:42 remaining and the Jaguars leading 27-24 after linebacker Devin Lloyd returned an interception 22 yards to the Bengals 12. With a chance at a double-digit lead, Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen opted to run a play rather than kick a field goal on fourth-and-5 from the Bengals seven-yard line. "One hundred percent a go – in all analytics and all others, it's 100 percent ago," Coen said. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence on the play passed to Thomas, who dropped the pass around the two-yard line. "It's super frustrating," Thomas said. "I've just got to put it behind me and go on to the next game." Wide receiver Dyami Brown two possessions earlier dropped a would-be touchdown pass one play before Thomas appeared to protect himself from contact on what could have been a touchdown pass in the middle of the end zone from Lawrence.
"We don't make those plays and it ultimately gave them an opportunity to stay in the game," Coen said.
"Players and coaches alike, we have to go look ourselves in the mirror and figure it out." Said Thomas, "I've got to be better," Thomas said. "I've got to go catch the ball, plain and simple – just go catch the ball."
2. Maybe, maybe not. A closer look at Devin Lloyd's interception return revealed the play might have had a different result – and might have all-but secured the Jaguars' victory. Lloyd on second-and-10 from the Bengals 23 dropped in coverage and intercepted a pass from Bengals backup quarterback Jake Browning to wide receiver Andrei Iosivas. While Lloyd's return gave the Jaguars a first down at the Bengals 12, Lloyd continued running to the end zone after Bengals running back Chase Brown tackled him with replays showing Lloyd may have landed on Brown instead of being down. Because officials whistled the play down, it was not reviewable.
"I didn't see; I didn't get a good look at it," Coen said. "All the guys up top said he did not appear to be down. It didn't matter because they ruled him down so I couldn't do anything about it on the change of the possessions."
Said Lloyd, "I felt like I got in the end zone and wasn't down. It is what it is."
3. Dewey!!! The Jaguars needed a play. Safety Andrew Wingard delivered in big-time veteran fashion in the third quarter, setting up a touchdown that gave the Jaguars a seven-point lead. With the score tied 17-17, Wingard intercepted a deep pass from Browning to tight end Mike Gesicki, alertly breaking back and snatching the interception before returning it 39 yards to the Bengals 30. Lawrence five plays later passed to running back Travis Etienne Jr. for an 11-yard screen pass touchdown and a 24-17 lead with 4:08 remaining in the third quarter.
4. Rapid response. The Jaguars lost an early first-half lead on a touchdown pass from Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow to wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. They responded impressively, retaking the lead on the ensuing series when Lawrence passed eight yards to rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten, who turned a short pass into a touchdown with a nice cut and acceleration into the end zone. Key play on the drive: A 30-yard run on a sweep by Etienne, who followed dominant blocking for a first down at the Bengals 11.
5. Opening statement. The Jaguars on Sunday made a bold early statement, scoring on their first possession for a second consecutive week. Brown gave the Jaguars a 7-0 lead when his nine-yard touchdown reception from Lawrence capped a nine-play, 69-yard drive with 10:51 remaining in the first quarter. The Jaguars were impressive the entire drive, with the offensive line giving Lawrence ample time to throw and with Lawrence completing five of seven passes for 72 yards and a touchdown. Key play: Lawrence's 18-yard completion to Brown on third-and-3 from the Jaguars 38 and Lawrence's 10-yard completion to tight end Brenton Strange on third-and-7 from the Bengals 23.
5a. Uh oh. The Jaguars missed a point-blank opportunity for a double-digit lead early Sunday, with Bengals cornerback Dax Hill intercepting a pass from Lawrence to rookie wide receiver Travis Hunter on third-and-goal from the Bengals 8. The Jaguars moved 64 yards to the Bengals eight before Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson pressured Lawrence into a short throw to Hunter to Lawrence's left in the end zone. The Bengals, after losing two yads on their first possession, drove 80 yards on 11 plays and tied the game 7-7 when quarterback Joe Burrow passed four yards to wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase with :07 remaining in the first quarter. Lawrence's second interception of the first half – this one by safety Jordan Battle at the Jaguars 34 – set up a 31-yard field goal by Evan McPherson to make it 14-10, Jaguars.
