Penalties and Poor Execution Keep Jaguars From Finding Consistency

For a team that entered 2025 with expectations of being a legitimate AFC contender, the Jacksonville Jaguars continue to look like their own worst enemy. Sunday’s 35–7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Wembley Stadium marked their second straight defeat on the season. This loss exposed the same issues that have haunted them all season.

Through seven weeks, Jacksonville sits dead last in the NFL with 9.3 penalties per game, a total of 65 flags for 528 yards. Combine that with inefficient quarterback play and drops from the receiving corps, and it’s easy to see why this offense hasn’t found a rhythm.

Penalties Crippling Offensive Momentum

Every time the Jaguars build momentum, self-inflicted wounds send them backward. False starts, holds have routinely erased positive plays and left the team in long down-and-distance situations. Jacksonville has 13 penalties for 119 yards in Sunday’s loss.

Head coach Liam Coen has preached discipline since training camp, but the results haven’t followed. The Jaguars’ 528 penalty yards are near the bottom of the league an average of 75 yards surrendered per game. That’s the equivalent of gifting opponents nearly a full field each week.

For an offense already struggling to find its identity, and A defense that is struggling to eliminate explosive plays, those mistakes are devastating.

Trevor Lawrence’s Regression Hurting the Offense

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence continues to be the centerpiece of Jacksonville’s inconsistency. While his physical tools remain something to like, his decision-making and accuracy have regressed through seven weeks. The Jaguars often move the ball efficiently on scripted drives, but a late read or off-target throw derails progress.

“We’ve got to start the games faster,” Lawrence said postgame. “There’s some plays that I’ve got to make early to get us going. I had Travis on the first play open, and I’ve got to put it on him.”

Lawrence emphasized accountability but admitted the unit hasn’t executed to its potential.

“Every play, focus on your job,” he said. “We haven’t played our best football offensively the last couple weeks. There’s a lot to clean up, but everyone has to take that approach — what can you fix?”

Until Lawrence improves at anticipating throws and reading coverage earlier, Jacksonville’s offense will remain stuck between flashes of brilliance and stretches of frustration.

Receiver Struggles Adding to the Problem

The wide receiver group has also failed to consistently help its quarterback. Brian Thomas Jr., in particular, remains a liability. Against Los Angeles, he caught just three of seven targets. On the season, he’s hauled in 27 of 55 targets — a 41.8% catch rate.

Across the roster, including tight ends and running backs, the Jaguars’ passing attack has produced a mediocre 44% success rate on 252 targets.

Even when Lawrence finds open receivers, they often fail to capitalize. And when they do get separation, the ball sometimes arrives late or is overthrown, killing timing and rhythm.

The Bottom Line

The Jaguars’ problems aren’t rooted in talent — they’re rooted in discipline, timing, and execution. Until Jacksonville cuts down on penalties, sharpens its passing efficiency, and establishes a consistent rhythm early in games, the ceiling on this team will remain capped.

For now, the AFC hopefuls look like a team searching for answers rather than delivering on potential.