JACKSONVILLE – A day after, senior writer John Oehser examines the Jaguars' 37-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in a 2021 Week 13 game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday
1. The momentum is looong since forgotten. The Jaguars have lost four consecutive games after winning two of three around an October 24 bye week. They haven't led since a 9-6 victory over Buffalo on November 7. "Is there a confidence issue?" Head Coach Urban Meyer said. "Any time you're not successful, that's something we've got to fight through. Confidence is a result of success, and right now we're struggling with that."
2. The offensive struggles remain real … The Jaguars have averaged 10 points in six games since the bye. Their 197 yards Sunday marked the third time in the last five games they have been held under 220 yards of offense. "Obviously when you get beat 37-7 it's not a good day," Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said.
3. … and the receivers' struggles do, too. Laquon Treadwell led Jaguars wide receivers with four receptions for 62 yards Sunday. That's the most yards receiving for a Jaguars receiver since Marvin Jones Jr. had 100 yards receiving in a Week 6 victory over Miami.
4. Slow starts remain a thing. The Jaguars have trailed by at least 10 points in 10 of 12 games this season. They have trailed by at least 10 points in the first half of their last four games. "We kind of spotted them 14 points early, the last two games, 10 points this game," Jaguars defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot said. "It's been tough." Smoot added, "I would just say we've just got to come out with a little more fire from the get, from special teams, offense, from defense. From the get we have to be able to come out and start strong. We haven't been able to do that the last three weeks, and it's been tough."
5. Takeaways matter … The Jaguars failed to register a takeaway Sunday and have registered a league-low six this season. They haven't won a game in which they failed to register a takeaway this season, having registered three against Buffalo and one against Miami.
6. … and giveaways do, too … The Jaguars entered Sunday 31st in the NFL in takeaway-giveaway at minus-13. They finished with a minus-two margin Sunday and running back James Robinson's first-quarter lost fumble led directly to a first-quarter Rams touchdown.
7. … as does field position. A 65-yard return by Brandon Powell on the opening kickoff led to a Rams field goal. Robinson's fumble led to the first Los Angeles touchdown. The Rams drove 39 yards for their first 10 points. The Jaguars made it too easy for the Rams early.
8.Robinson matters … The Jaguars were averaging 19.3 points per game through six games. Robinson was healthy through those games Meyer was talking routinely of liking the developing offensive identity. Robinson sustained a heel injury against Seattle in Week 7 (October 24). The Jaguars have averaged 10.0 points per game since.
9. … and he is very definitely playing through injuries. Robinson went 16 plays without playing after his first-quarter fumble Sunday. He went 20 plays without playing after losing a fumble in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons the previous week. Meyer said the playing-time reduction was injury-related. "He's still not 100 percent," Meyer said. "He's not practicing during the week. Your heart bleeds for the guy just because he's not able to do what he does well." Meyer added, "James is unique because he is fighting injury. If someone is not producing and you sit him down, that's a whole different conversation, but this is really injury based."
10.Focus remains strong. Meyer: "We're searching for answers right now. How do you find answers? You go to work, and we're going to go back to work. I don't mean to be redundant, but there's nothing else I can tell you. Is it frustrating for everybody involved? Absolutely. Are we better than that? Absolutely are better than that. Do we have better players than that? Yes. Do we have better coaches than that? Yes. Now it's time to go produce."
11.First downs matter. The Jaguars produced 72 yards on 23 first-down plays Sunday with 13 of those plays producing one yard or less. "First down was the biggest problem today," Meyer said. The Jaguars can't afford to be behind the chains in down-and-distance situations that often.
12.Desire remains strong. Smoot: "None of the guys are going to tune out. We're paid to play football. We're going to come out there and do whatever we've got to do no matter what. I don't think anyone is pulling out."
Check out these top game photos of the Jacksonville Jaguars as they take on the Los Angeles Rams for Week 13 of the NFL Regular Season at SoFi Stadium.