Trevor Lawrence confirms he made questionable decision on key 4th down
Nov 27, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) drops back to pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
The Jacksonville Jaguars blew their playoff chances with a 28-20 defeat to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and one key moment loomed large in the defeat.
The Jaguars were stuffed on 4th and goal from the Titans’ 1-yard line with just over seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Had Jacksonville scored, they would have had a chance to tie the game with the ensuing two-point conversion.
Controversially, quarterback Trevor Lawrence tried to run a sneak to get the touchdown, but was stuffed. After the game, Lawrence confirmed that the original call was for a handoff, but he changed the play at the line of scrimmage — a move he seemed to regret when speaking after the game.
“If you do it you better score and I didn’t.” – Trevor Lawrence on deciding to make the call himself at the line to run a QB sneak on 4th and goal from the 1. It sounds like it was a run call, but Lawrence made the call himself to sneak it. The Jaguars trust him and let him make… pic.twitter.com/6nC1TfmTTX
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 7, 2024
“Maybe in that situation, just let the play ride, hope you get in, let the guys up front do their jobs and the running backs and all that,” Lawrence said. “It’s done now. I made the decision, and they trust me with those things. It didn’t work. I got to take accountability for that. It’s on me. It’s one of those plays where you do it, you’d better score.”
Considering Lawrence has been dealing with a shoulder injury, the call was a surprise to some. The quarterback did not look great throwing the ball on Sunday, which may have also been a consideration.
Lawrence will have plenty of time to think about the call. The Jaguars went from 8-3 to missing the playoffs thanks to a late-season collapse that will raise a lot of questions over their future.