Jaguars 27, Cardinals 24: Defensive observations in overtime loss

It was another one-score loss for the Arizona Cardinals, which at least was a better look than the last two games. And Lord knows, there were a myriad of reasons why this one again ended in the L column in a 27-24 overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at State Farm Stadium.

However, it’s striking how much of the postgame reaction claimed the defense did everything it could to defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars. Don’t count me in that group.

Yes, the four takeaways were a sight for sore eyes, scoring one touchdown and stopping the Jaguars with an interception in the end zone on first-and-goal from the 6-yard line. And there were other very good outcomes.

However, when a stop was needed at the end of regulation and in overtime, the defense came up empty again, just as it did in the previous five one-score losses by a total of 13 points. Explosive plays were again the culprit. Make it now six by a total of 16.

Here are the takeaways and observations:

We’ll start with the good: The takeaways

After the Jaguars needed only 2:25 to score on their first possession, they got the ball at their own eight-yard line late in the opening quarter.

On third-and-six, blitzing safety Jalen Thompson hit quarterback Trevor Lawrence from behind for a sack-fumble, and defensive lineman Walter Nolen III caught the ball in the air and scored on a 7\seven-yard return. Unfortunately, Nolen later left because of a knee injury and didn’t return.

Interception 1, Cardinals lead 14-10

It came on the first possession of the second half after the Jaguars started at their 43-yard line following a 39-yard kickoff return. Three straight passes of 15, 12 and 24 yards moved the ball to the 6-yard line where defensive lineman Calais Campbell tipped the ball and cornerback Garrett Williams stopped the threat with a pick.

Interception 2, Jaguars lead 17-14

Later in the third quarter on third-and-3 from their own 30, linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither dropped back into coverage and picked off Lawrence at the 39-yard line.

Interception 3, Jaguars still lead 17-14

On third-and-8 from their own 34-yard line, safety Budda Baker executed a diving grab at the 41. Three players later, quarterback Jacoby Brissett hit wide receiver Greg Dortch on a quick toss over the middle and Dortch raced 39 yards for a touchdown and 21-17 lead with 7:12 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Of course, we’ll repeat the oft-mentioned stat mentioned frequently after the game: Entering the game, there had been 50 instances since 2021 where a team had four takeaways and no turnovers and each time that team won the game. Needless to say, the record is now 50-1.

Other good things

After the Cardinals failed on fourth-and-12 from their own 28 with 1:58 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Jaguars could have put the game away.

Campbell stopped Etienne for three yards on first down and Thompson limited a pass to Strange to six yards. Still, it was third-and-1. Baker and linebacker Josh Sweat stopped Bhayshul Tuten for no gain. Then, eschewing a field goal for a 27-21 lead, a fourth-and-1 pass to Tim Patrick was incomplete. Had it been caught, the Jaguars would have been pushed back five yards for an illegal formation and likely would have kicked a field goal.

That stop set the stage for the game-tying field goal with three seconds on the clock.

It was also one of five possessions the Jaguars were limited to a total of 40 yards on 18 plays and that ended with an interception, fumble return for a touchdown and two punts. Jacksonville was 3-for-11 on third down in the game.

But, can’t stop these

This was where the defense needed to step up. However, starting at the 35-yard line, the Jaguars needed only 3:25 to travel 65 yards for the go-ahead touchdown and never reached third down on the six-play drive.

Four plays accounted for 59 yards with two for 10 and 23 to tight end Brenton Strange and a 9-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Parker Washington with 3:47 remaining in regulation. The 23-yarder to Strange was on the first play of the drive, which was reminiscent of a 30-yarder to him on the second play of Jacksonville’s first possession of the game.

That was followed by a 45-yard run by Travis Etienne Jr. and a 15-yard scoring pass to Etienne. The Jaguars needed only four plays to move 97 yards for that touchdown.

Then, in overtime, it was on first down again that Lawrence hit Washington for 25 yards to the Cardinals 40-yard line. After three plays, Cam Little hit what turned out to be the game-winning 52-yard field goal.

Who is this ‘Strange’ guy? A second-round pick in 2023 from Penn State, he spent the previous five games on injured reserve and was activated Saturday after six days of practice. He had five receptions for a career-high 93 yards in the game.

Crucial field-goal miss

Almost forgotten with so much of the post-game conversation focused on the Cardinals offensive issues as well as the final offensive play and wide receiver Michael Wilson celebrating after a late catch that had no bearing on what happened next, was a missed 33-yard field-goal attempt (the same length as an extra point) by kicker Chad Ryland.

That came with 13 seconds remaining in the first half and would have given the Cardinals a 17-10 lead. While it never can be assumed that the game would have played out the same way as it did, the reality is that the game was obviously tied at the end of regulation and they lost by a field goal.

Also on special teams was a 43-yard punt return by Washington and a 39-yard kickoff return by Tuten.

The positive was better punting by Matt Haack, who replaced Pat O’Donnell on the roster during the week. Haack averaged 49.8 yards on six punts with a long of 65 that was remarkably downed by Max Melton at the 1-yard line. Haack’s net was 42.7 with four inside the 20: one other downed at the 3-yard line and two fair catches.

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Jaguars 27, Cardinals 24: Defensive observations in overtime loss