Jaguars lose 21-17 to Broncos. Here's how they lost their fifth straight one-score game

Different week, same story.

The ninth pilgrimage across the pond for the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) ended in a similar fashion to how all six of their losses have ended this year — failing to close out a contest late, this time against the Denver Broncos (3-5).

With less than two minutes to play in the game and trailing by four, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw an interception to Broncos defensive back K'Waun Williams, who was wearing a cast.

A player was heard on the ESPN+ broadcast yelling "he's got a cast on!" about Williams, who entered the game with a reported elbow injury.

It was an all-too-familiar feeling for Jacksonville, which once again couldn't get it done late. A fifth-straight one-possession loss gives Jacksonville a new franchise record for defeats of that variety.

More game coverage:

• Trevor Tracker 2022: How do Trevor Lawrence's first eight starts compare to 2021? Here's how

• Strong start, can't finish: Jaguars defense has fast start, familiar finish as Russell Wilson engineers another comeback

• Jaguars report card: Offense, defense get Ds while coaches fail in loss to Denver Broncos

• 'We can't lose faith': Jaguars struggle to hold late-game lead against Broncos at Wembley

Prior to the contest, the Jaguars ruled out wide receiver/return specialist Jamal Agnew due to a knee injury.

Agnew missed last week’s 23-17 loss to the New York Giants and receiver Christian Kirk assumed his duties as a punt returner, while backup RB JaMycal Hasty was used as the team’s kick returner. The same occurred today against Denver as Jacksonville looked to get its playmakers on the field in Agnew’s absence.  

The three other players that were deemed inactive prior to the contest included safety Tyree Gillespie, cornerback Tevaughn Campbell and defensive lineman Adam Gotsis. All three players were ruled out on Friday as healthy scratches and did not make the trip across the pond to London.

Though there were question marks entering the game regarding the status of Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, the 11-year veteran started, making a comeback after missing last week’s contest against the New York Jets due to a hamstring injury.

Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars offense continue red zone, late-game woes

While the Jacksonville offense was effective early against the Broncos defense, scoring a 22-yard touchdown on a pass from Lawrence to Evan Engram, the team still suffered through some red zone inefficiency from their signal-caller.

The Lawrence to Engram connection was the longest TD toss the Jaguars have had since Week 17 last year against the New England Patriots, a 28-yard pass from Lawrence to former Jacksonville RB Dare Ogunbowale.

However, with 12:48 remaining in the first half, Lawrence threw an ill-advised interception to Broncos safety Justin Simmons from the Denver one-yard-line.

The pick came on first down after Jacksonville took the ball 80 yards down the field. The drive included a staggering 36 penalty yards from the Denver defense.

Lawrence has struggled in the red zone since entering the NFL. Following the game but before afternoon games were played, Lawrence leads the NFL in red zone interceptions with five since 2021. The next two are Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (four) and Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow (three), according to Pro Football Reference.

It should be noted, though, that Mahomes has thrown 43 TDs during that span in the red zone, while Burrow has thrown 25.

Lawrence began the game on a high note, completing 4 of 5 passes, including the TD toss to Engram. Prior to the interception, Lawrence completed 9 of 11 passes. After the interception, he completed just 3 of 8 passes, including two first downs.

After taking a 10-0 lead during the first half, the Jacksonville offense was able to muster just 63 yards combined during their next three possessions. All three drives ended in punts.

In the fourth quarter, Jacksonville's offense finally found some life, taking the lead 17-14 with 3:57 left to go. That lead was short-lived, however, as Jacksonville surrendered a late TD run to Broncos RB Latavius Murray.

Lawrence ended the contest completing just 18 out of 31 passes for 133 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also had a fumble that was recovered by teammate Tyler Shatley.

Travis Etienne takes off for 156 yards in loss

In his first game without running mate James Robinson, traded to the New York Jets this past Monday, Jaguars running back Travis Etienne had a field day Sunday against the Broncos at Wembley Stadium.

During the first half, Etienne posted 94 yards on 11 carries, including a 49-yard run. On the ESPN+ broadcast, the announcers said Pederson spoke with Etienne during the week, telling him his stats, including a staggering 6.1 yards per carry this season. Etienne responded, "I'm just scratching the surface, coach."

Etienne has been one of the best offensive playmakers for the Jaguars this season. He has been officially handed the keys to the ship, so to speak, and has made the most of his opportunities.

Etienne ended the game with 156 rushing yards on 24 carries, including a one-yard TD run late in the contest that gave the Jaguars a 17-14 lead. The Jaguars couldn't hold on, however, and Etienne's performance was in vain.

Jaguars-Broncos draws largest NFL crowd in London history

Announced during the third quarter of the contest, the matchup between the Jaguars and Broncos drew the largest crowd in the history of the NFL international series in the U.K. with 86,215 fans in attendance.

The previous high occurred in 2018 when the Jaguars took on the Philadelphia Eagles, drawing a crowd of 85,870 fans.

Including Sunday, there have been 33 games played in London, with 24 games being played at Wembley Stadium. The Jaguars have played eight games at Wembley, including Sunday's contest. They've played nine total London contests (they played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2021).

Tyson Campbell gets early INT, Jaguars defense bends late

The Jaguars entered the game needing elite play from its defense against a dreadful Broncos offense. During the first possession of the game, Jacksonville showed up, forcing a quick three-and-out. That became a sign of things to come for the contest as Jacksonville never relented.

On the second drive of the contest for Denver, Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell came up big with an interception on Wilson, who was targeting Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton on the play. Campbell has been one of the best players on Jacksonville's defense thus far this season.

On the first drive of the contest, fellow defensive back Darious Williams nearly picked off Wilson, while defensive lineman Arden Key came up with a sack on third down to give Denver an early three-and-out possession.

At the end of the first quarter, the Jaguars defense allowed only 21 total net yards to the Broncos, including 12 passing yards and nine rushing yards.

The Broncos did not get a first down on Jacksonville's defense until halfway through the second quarter.

During the first half of the contest, Jacksonville allowed eight first downs to the Broncos but forced the Broncos to go 1 of 6 on third downs, and 1 of 2 on fourth downs. They surrendered 141 total net yards with most of that yardage (75) coming during the Broncos' scoring drive.

Denver's first points came with just 2:44 remaining in the first half on a touchdown pass from Wilson to Jeudy from the Jacksonville six-yard-line. The Broncos used a jet-sweep motion to get Jeudy just in front of Wilson who utilized a shovel toss and Jeudy did the rest, untouched into the end zone.

Denver scored on its first possession in the third quarter, including completions of 18, 22 and 38 yards to Broncos TE Greg Dulchich. They took the lead 14-10 after a Melvin Gordon III one-yard TD run.

After three-straight stout drives, forcing the Broncos to punt late in the second half, the Jaguars defense gave up a late touchdown to the Broncos with just 1:43 remaining in the contest, handing Denver the lead late 21-17.

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @Demetrius82.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 4 takeaways from Jacksonville Jaguars' loss to Denver Broncos