Jaguars Slip in Denver as PFF Grades Highlight Offensive Split
Jacksonville's Week 2 loss saw Trevor Lawrence and Parker Washington shine against defense struggles.
Key points
- Parker Washington earned the highest offensive grade at 82.4 with nearly 100 receiving yards.
- Ventrell Miller led the defense with a 79.0 grade and seven tackles.
- Branson Combs posted the lowest overall grade at 26.4, allowing 41 receiving yards.
The Denver air grew thin as the Jaguars watched their second-half advantage evaporate. The final whistle marked a painful slide, leaving the team to scrutinize what went wrong on a field that had briefly belonged to them. It was not a collapse of talent, but a failure of execution under pressure.
Yahoo Sports reports on the PFF grades that dissect this performance. The numbers reveal a sharp divide between the offensive spark and the defensive leaks. These are the players who held the line and those who let the rope slip.
Offensive leaders drive the attack
Parker Washington anchored the receiving corps with an 82.4 grade, securing nearly 100 yards on seven catches. His route running cut through the Broncos' secondary with surgical precision. Bhayshul Tuten followed with a 73.0, averaging five yards per rush and keeping the ground game alive.
Trevor Lawrence posted a 63.6, completing 17 of 29 passes for 189 yards despite constant pressure. When the pocket stayed clean, his arm was decisive. Brenton Strange added a 64.4, contributing 40 receiving yards and earning a solid 73.9 run-blocking mark.
Defensive standouts hold the line
Ventrell Miller led the defensive unit with a 79.0 grade, logging seven tackles and limiting opponents to seven yards. His presence in the box was a stabilizing force. Travon Walker and Dennis Gardeck both recorded pressure, with Walker earning a 75.8 and Gardeck a 75.6.
Antonio Johnson operated as a blitzer and coverage defender, finishing with a 75.4 and seven tackles. DaVon Hamilton rounded out the top group with a 71.5, providing a sturdy anchor in the interior. Their combined effort kept the pass rush honest.
Defensive struggles cost the lead
Branson Combs suffered a 26.4 grade, the lowest on the roster. He missed a critical tackle and allowed two receptions for 41 yards, creating a gap that proved costly. Jarrian Jones fared no better with a 32.7, yielding four receptions for 66 yards on six targets.
Matt Dickerson’s 41.0 grade was dragged down by a 38.3 run-defense score. These three players represented the leaks through which Denver’s offense flowed. The grades do not flatter, and the loss stands as a reminder of the margin for error in this league.
