Trevor Lawrence helped lead the Jacksonville Jaguars back from an 11-point deficit at halftime to a fourth quarter lead in Week 1, but when the Washington Commanders came storming back with two touchdowns, Lawrence was unable to respond.
Instead of a game-winning touchdown drive, Lawrence lobbed a duck into traffic that was intercepted with just over a minute left to seal a 28-22 win for the Commanders.
Despite the loss, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson spoke positively about his 22-year-old quarterback and was optimistic about Lawrence’s future.
“I just tell him we’re going to keep shooting, we’re going to keep plugging, and we’re gonna learn from this,” Pederson told reporters of his message to Lawrence. “He’s going to be better for it and I’m excited for him and his future. He’s a bright kid and I just told him ‘We’re going to make these corrections and move on.'”
Lawrence finished the loss with 24 completions on 42 pass attempts for 275 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Early in the game, he missed a wide-open Travis Etienne for what should’ve been a touchdown. Later, Etienne dropped a pass from Lawrence on the goal line that also likely would’ve been a touchdown.
Next the Jaguars will play the 0-0-1 Indianapolis Colts, who allowed Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills to throw for 240 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.