Jaguars’ Penalties Are Becoming A Major Concern

Over the past two weeks, Jacksonville has committed 26 penalties for 225 yards. Its 28 offensive penalties this season are also the most in the NFL. This comes after they were tied for the fewest total penalties in the NFL through three weeks with 15. In Week 4, Jacksonville was penalized 13 times, including two touchdowns by Bhayshul Tuten that were called off due to holding penalties and a roughing-the-passer penalty that erased an interception by Travis Hunter.

Last week against Philadelphia, the Jaguars committed 13 penalties and went 0-for-3 in the red zone. The issue was especially evident in the fourth quarter, when the Jaguars went from first-and-goal at the 1-yard line to third-and-goal at the 14 following a false start and delay of game before turning the ball over on downs.

Pre-snap infractions and holding calls have been a significant problem for the Jaguars. They are the first team since the 2011 Seattle Seahawks to commit 13 penalties in back-to-back weeks and win both games. Jacksonville committed nine holding penalties and 13 pre-snap penalties in Weeks 4 and 5, including seven false starts, four delay of games and two illegal shifts.  

Jaguars head coach Liam Coen took full responsibility for the team’s penalty problem, acknowledging he must do better at getting the play in quicker to avoid pre-snap penalties.

​“I showed the players and coaches a ton of clips to show them we broke the huddle with eight seconds, and that’s not giving you the best chance to succeed and that’s directly on me. I can help you out with my play call, trim the verbiage or call something a little more simplified,” Coen said Wednesday.

​Quarterback Trevor Lawrence agreed with Coen and ideally wants to break the huddle with around 20 seconds remaining on the play clock.

“It’s always great hearing your head coach and play caller talking about every situation. We understand what happened and there were some things that we have to clean up as players too,” Lawrence said Wednesday.  

“You want to be breaking the huddle with around 20 seconds. It’s not always realistic, but it’s a good feeling when you can break at 20 and see what you’re looking at.”

End Of My Jaguars Penalty Rant

Despite their penalty problem, the Jaguars are still one of the more complete teams in the NFL, averaging 24.6 points per game while ranking second in scoring defense and first against the run, allowing 63.8 rushing yards per game.

The Jaguars could contend for the AFC’s No. 1 seed, but their penalty issue could cost them if it does not improve. They are averaging 8.2 penalties and 69.2 penalty yards per game, exceeding the league average of 7.45 penalties and 62.3 yards. Last season, they were tied for the third-most penalties in the NFL with 128 for 1,080 yards.

It will be a huge factor Sunday in their divisional game against the Houston Texans in London. ​A victory over Houston would give Jacksonville a three-game lead over the Texans in the AFC South and give them a 5-1 record, something they haven’t achieved since 1999.