ORCHARD PARK — It was over before it started for the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3), who were thoroughly embarrassed against the Buffalo Bills (3-0) on Monday Night Football, losing 47-10.
The worst first half in Jaguars history was nightmare fuel for anyone on that side of the field. The Bills opened the game by scoring on their first five possessions going into halftime.
Disaster: Bills outclass Jaguars on Monday Night Football
Bills quarterback Josh Allen looked like an MVP with a near-perfect stat line — 22 of 28 for 247 yards and four touchdowns. That was just in the first half of the game.
Allen finished the game completing 23 of 30 passes for 263 yards and four touchdowns before backup QB Mitchell Trubisky entered the game with about 9:11 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was antithetical to Allen. He completed 21 of 38 passes for 178 yards, one touchdown and one interception before being replaced during the fourth quarterback backup QB Mac Jones. The game was essentially over with Jacksonville trailing 40-10 with around seven minutes left in the game.
The Jaguars gave up 34 points in the first half. According to ESPN’s Mike DiRocco, 34 points allowed in the first half is the most first-half points the team has allowed in franchise history.
The most they’ve allowed in any half is 38, done twice before (2012 vs. Chicago and 1998 at Minnesota).
The “fun” wasn’t only enjoyed by Jacksonville’s defense, though.
Jacksonville’s offense struggled to get anything going.
They exited halftime with 70 total net yards on offense in the first half. Their first five drives resulted in two punts, one field goal, an interception and a turnover on downs as clock expired going into halftime.
A lackluster offense paired with an absentee defense results in one of the worst-looking losses in franchise history.
The second half of the game amounted to garbage time stats for Jacksonville.
Lawrence failed to get anything in the first half for a third straight week. That’s all that mattered in this one.
He completed 10 of 22 passes for 59 yards and an interception, his first of the season. Bills safety Demar Hamlin had the honors, recording the first interception of his career.
Jacksonville totaled 70 yards, tacking on 19 rushing yards to Lawrence’s 51 passing yards.
The Jaguars tried everything they didn’t do during the first two games of the season: they targeted Brian Thomas Jr. a season-high six times, opened the game with a bit of tempo and quick passing, moved Lawrence out of the pocket and Lawrence attempted 22 passes, double that of the first two games’ first halves combined.
Nothing worked.
Jacksonville’s first touchdown of the game came during their first drive of the second half. An eight-play, 63-yard drive that ended with a six-yard touchdown from Lawrence to tight end Brenton Strange.
The Jaguars finished with 239 total yards, 147 passing and 92 rushing.
The Jaguars’ defense couldn’t take advantage of opportunities in the first half against the Bills.
Midway through the first quarter, Jaguars linebacker Foye Oluokun had an opportunity to record an interception on Allen but came up short.
On Buffalo’s second score of the day, Jacksonville couldn’t bring down Allen who was forced out of the pocket. He found tight end Dalton Kinkaid alone in the end zone with linebacker Devin Lloyd trailing and Christian Braswell nearby.
On the play, Jaguars defensive lineman Travon Walker looked to be held by Bills tackle Spencer Brown, but no flag was thrown. The chances to slow down a high-powered offense were ultimately thwarted by their own mistakes defensively.
And then came the bleeding.
The Bills opened up the game with five straight touchdown drives in the first half. Jacksonville’s saving grace was a missed extra point on Buffalo’s first score.
The bills finished with 389 total yards, 266 passing and 123 rushing.
The Jaguars lost two defenders Monday night after cornerback Jarrian Jones and linebacker Foye Oluokun were forced out of the contest with shoulder and foot injuries, respectively.
Jones was injured on the first drive of the game and was ruled out early in the third quarter. Oluokun suffered a foot injury with 3:31 remaining in the third quarter. He was ruled out with 11:55 remaining in the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Jaguars right tackle Anton Harrison suffered a knee injury. He did not return to the game.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82.
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