Jaguars @ Chargers
Final Score: Jaguars 38, Chargers 10
Writer: Dave Cherman (@DaveCherman on Twitter)
In a game that was shrouded in mystery thanks to a serious rib injury that almost held Justin Herbert out completely, it was the Jaguars who had the last laugh. Trevor Lawrence looked like a #1 overall pick, while the two-headed monster that is James Robinson and Travis Etienne once again complemented each other perfectly. Zay Jones had his best game as a Jaguar, while Christian Kirk once again found the end zone and continues to prove all of his doubters wrong.
Meanwhile, the Chargers struggled to consistently move the ball, and the loss of starting center Corey Linsley was clearly felt. Justin Herbert made a spectacular throw on the run but had a hard time finding his receivers otherwise. In the end, the Chargers simply did not play well enough to win this football game.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence: 28/39, 262 Yards, 3 TD | 3 Carries, 7 Yards
The Jags had a great gameplan this week and things only got easier as the game progressed. Quick, high percentage passes was the name of the game early, as Trevor Lawrence delivered strike after strike, picking up short yards early and often. As a result, Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack were completely neutralized. The problems arose for Lawrence when he tried to air it out intermediate or deep, as he clearly lacked elite accuracy on those balls, missing a few open receivers well high and nearly losing a few passes to picks. The biggest difference between Lawrence last year and this year is confidence in his game, as he withstood pressure and delivered well-placed balls to all of his receivers. In addition to his pocket presence, Lawrence capitalized on broken plays, escaping the pocket and throwing well on the run for his first TD of the game.
Running Back
James Robinson: 17 Carries, 100 Yards, TD | 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 16 Yards
Travis Etienne Jr.: 13 Carries, 45 Yards | 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 30 Yards
JaMycal Hasty: 1 Target
Both Travis Etienne and James Robinson played extensively in this game. Despite the stat line, I think Etienne was by far the better back in this one. He had multiple runs blown up behind the line of scrimmage, but routinely showed strength, quickness, and precise cuts to pick up extra yards when possible. He was a weapon in both the rushing and receiving games. I’m slightly concerned that much of his work came in clock-killing mode, but he produced in those situations when he needed to.
The statline looks great for James Robinson, though the bulk of his production came on a 50-yard carry on 4th down. Dave, you can’t just take a big rush out of the picture. I know. But it honestly wasn’t super impressive. The offensive line created a huge hole on the left side, targeting the side that Joey Bosa had recently left with an injury, it was one cut and off to the house, though Robinson didn’t really show a ton of burst in getting there. Robinson was generally the better pass blocker in this, which may be part of him continuing to get snaps, but if Etienne continues to look so much faster, things could change.
Put the doctor who oversaw James Robinson's Achilles recovery in charge of everything pic.twitter.com/fsOizQhdJa
— FantasyPros (@FantasyPros) September 25, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Zay Jones: 11 Targets, 10 Receptions, 85 Yards, TD | 1 Carry
Christian Kirk: 9 Targets, 6 Receptions, 72 Yards, TD
Evan Engram: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 9 Yards | 1 Carry
Marvin Jones Jr.: 7 Targets, 4 Receptions, 33 Yards, TD
Jamal Agnew: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 17 Yards
All of Lawrence’s receivers were getting open at will in this one, with Christian Kirk, Marvin Jones, and Zay Jones each having a TD on 7+ targets. Kirk showed nice body control on his touchdown, just getting his foot down in bounds.
Trevor Lawrence ➡️ Christian Kirk. The @Jaguars extend their lead!
📺: #JAXvsLAC on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/DpipbWDRkA pic.twitter.com/nbVEf95KFM— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2022
The best catch of the day for Jacksonville came on Marvin Jones Jr.’s touchdown punctuated by a beautiful toe tap.
Trevor Lawrence DIME 😱
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/RywO5nAaRW
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 25, 2022
The real story was Zay Jones, though, who routinely got open underneath, picking up 11 targets. Jones was regularly on the field and seemed to be Lawrence’s first look on many routes, attacking the Chargers’ soft zone. He fought well for extra yards and looked like a much better player than the guy who was buried on Vegas’ depth chart last year.
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert: 25/45, 297 Yards, TD, INT | 1 Carry, 7 Yards, 1 Fumble (Lost)
Justin Herbert looked healthy enough to play. Play, but not win. Herbert’s trademark arm was on display, but his accuracy was simply not there today. Herbert’s perhaps most known for his electric arm, uncorking one of the fastest balls in the NFL. And one of my biggest concerns was how the team would move the ball if that weapon wasn’t present, but it largely was. Herbert’s best play of the day was this 55-yard bomb to Jalen Guyton– more on him later.
Justin Herbert don’t make a generational throw every game challenge (very difficult) pic.twitter.com/mLRByp7vdo
— Theo Ash (@TheoAshNFL) September 25, 2022
Even with torn rib cartilage, Herbert is out here making throws that few others can make. On the run, across his body, Herbert uncorks this one 50 yards on a dime. But if he was capable of making this throw, why didn’t he put up a much better game?
There were two big problems: Herbert missed some easy throws and the offensive line was a mess. On their first drive, Herbert targeted Mike Williams on 3rd and 6. There was tight coverage, but Herbert placed the ball at Williams instead of slightly ahead, which allowed the corner to get a hand in and break it up. On their next drive, Herbert zipped a pass to Gerald Everett, but again, was behind the receiver, forcing Everett to dive back for it, which cost him several yards after the catch. On the interception, yes, Sony Michel should’ve caught it, but Herbert needs to make it easier for Michel to do so.
The rookie @DevinLloyd_ gets the INT!
📺: #JAXvsLAC on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/DpipbWDRkA pic.twitter.com/8seYLyLB1E— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2022
Just a very frustrating performance to watch.
More than anything though, the presence of C Corey Linsley was deeply missed. Time and time again, Jacksonville ran stunts to confuse the Chargers line and it worked. Herbert was consistently forced to get the ball out early. In the 3rd quarter, the Chargers flew down the field on the Guyton reception, then lost LT Rashawn Slater. The offense ground to a halt. They stalled for a field goal and the entire team looked completely defeated afterward. Without their two best offensive linemen, Herbert was under relentless pressure, though generally maintained his composure under fire. Herbert is going to struggle if Rashawn Slater and Corey Linsley are not back soon. Storm Norton took over at left tackle for Slater and looked like a carbon copy of himself in Week 18 vs the Raiders last year- multiple holding calls and even more pressures allowed. Slater left the game in a sling, signaling that Norton will probably start for the foreseeable future. This offense is in danger.
Running Back
Austin Ekeler: 4 Carries, 5 Yards | 8 Targets, 8 Receptions, 48 Yards
Sony Michel: 5 Carries, 22 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
Joshua Kelley: 1 Carry, -3 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 6 Yards
The Chargers’ run game is a disaster. Yes, the blocking has a big part to play in it- Austin Ekeler has found fewer holes this year than in years’ past and today was no different. He still has elite vision and patience, primarily in the passing game, but the man can only do so much when there’s no room for him to run. The playcalling does seem to hold it back at times, but it’s so much more than that. Where was Joshua Kelley? The team’s best running back with the ball in their hands did not see the field much today and it’s not clear why. Meanwhile, Sony Michel looked sluggish on every touch. He couldn’t corral a pass from Herbert early in the second quarter, which led to Jacksonville points. He ended up with more carries than Ekeler, which I’m sure was about health preservation more than anything else.
The running game has been broken all season and it hit rock bottom today.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Mike Williams: 6 Targets, 1 Reception, 15 Yards, TD
Joshua Palmer: 9 Targets, 6 Receptions, 99 Yards
Jalen Guyton: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 64 Yards
Gerald Everett: 6 Targets, 2 Receptions, 25 Yards
DeAndre Carter: 1 Carry, -5 Yards | 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 31 Yards
Zander Horvath: 1 Target
Fades to Mike Williams in the end zone are a QB’s best friend.
Mike Williams is your favorite receiver's favorite receiver pic.twitter.com/IYGNHAK85R
— Underdog Fantasy (@UnderdogFantasy) September 25, 2022
Very few receivers possess his level of body control and size. That was really it though. He was targeted a few other times but Herbert couldn’t get the ball to him.
With Keenan Allen out, there are naturally high expectations of Joshua Palmer, last year’s 3rd round pick. Last week, he was abysmal and appeared out of sync with Herbert until the final drive. This week was mostly the same. A 3rd quarter catch and run for 47 yards clouds what was otherwise a very uneventful day, as Palmer struggled to get open with consistency until garbage time when the Jags were giving him every underneath route. Herbert and Palmer still look out of sync, but the offensive line issues won’t help.
DeAndre Carter flashed briefly, but he is not consistent enough to be a legitimate threat. As the game progressed, he lost 3rd wide receiver reps to Jalen Guyton. That is, until Guyton left the game with a knee injury. Beat reporters said Guyton was on crutches, a bad sign for him.