Jaguars continue to experience misery against NFC teams with 15-game losing streak

It's a good thing Jaguars defensive tackle Dawuane Smoot doesn't pay much attention to streaks, especially awful ones.

Because for whatever reason, the Jaguars seem to keep experiencing their share.

In October, Jacksonville finally managed to end a 20-game losing streak, the second-longest in NFL history, after pulling out a 23-20 victory against the Miami Dolphins in London on a last-second field goal by Matthew Wright.

Now, they are amid another embarrassing streak — losers of 15 consecutive games against NFC opponents going into Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.

The Jaguars' last victory against an NFC opponent was three years ago when they opened with a 20-15 victory against the New York Giants in 2018.

The streak started when they were shellacked by the Dallas Cowboys 40-7 in Week 6 in 2018 before going on to drop games against NFC foes that season to Philadelphia 24-18 in London and Washington 16-13 at home.

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In 2019, the Jaguars lost to the NFC's Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons, extending the streak to 0-7.

Last season, the Jaguars went 0-4 against NFC opponents. They were routed by the Detroit Lions 34-16 at TIAA Bank Field, lost to Green Bay on the road 24-20 and to Minnesota, 27-24, and were routed 41-17 by the Chicago Bears in Jacksonville. Overall, the Jaguars have lost 45 of their past 52 games against NFC teams.

What is the cause for the Jaguars' misery against the NFC?

No one seems to know. But defensive coordinator Joe Cullen agrees there's no big difference between AFC and NFC in style or physical approach. Yet, Jacksonville's lone two wins this season are against the AFC's Buffalo Bills and Dolphins.

''You get physical teams in both,'' said Cullen, who has coached in both conference's as an assistant. ''I mean, Baltimore can line up and run the ball 45 times or spread you out and throw it. I think there's physical — New England will hand the ball off 40 times in a game."

Smoot suggested the road trips are longer when they travel to play NFC opponents than their AFC road games, taking in consideration the travel time is less for the teams in their division — Houston, Tennessee and Indianapolis — than playing NFC teams such as the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks on the West Coast.

However, this season, the Jaguars moved up their travel day from Saturday to Friday for their West Coast trips, which included Week 8 at Seattle after coming off a bye week.

But traveling a day early did not make a difference against the Seahawks. The Jaguars allowed backup quarterback Geno Smith, playing in place of injured starter Russell Wilson, to complete 20 of 24 for 195 yards and two touchdowns during their 31-7 victory.

Jags 0-4 against NFC teams this season

Under Coach Urban Meyer, the Jaguars lost to the NFC's Arizona Cardinals 31-19 at home in Week 3, Seattle in Week 8 and they are coming off back-to-back losses to San Francisco 31-10 and Atlanta 21-14.

''Every week teams have great players,'' quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. ''At the end of the day, you have to go play football and we have good players, too. We have to trust that and be confident."

The Las Vegas oddsmakers definitely do not think the Jaguars will end the streak Sunday when they play the Rams (7-4) on the road. The Rams are a 12.5-point favorite against the Jaguars despite losing three straight. If that's not enough, the Jaguars are 3-14 all-time in games played on the West Coast.

''I don't pay attention to those things (losing streaks),'' Smoot said. ''I'm focused on getting a W every single week. If we get a loss, I'm not focusing on if it's 14 or 20, whatever. We can't focus on all these negative things. We just have to focus on beating what's in front of us."

Last week, the Falcons came in having been outscored 68-3 in their previous two games against the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. Atlanta led 14-0 early in the second quarter and extended the margin to 21-3 before closing out the Jaguars with a 21-14 victory.

It has been the same issues for the Jaguars: inability to score, and for the past two games, they have struggled to stop the run. The Jaguars allowed 176 yards rushing against the 49ers and 149 against the Falcons with Cordarrelle Patterson leading the way with a game-high 108 yards last week.

Meyer compares Rams to All-Star team

On Sunday, they will face a Rams team that Meyer compared to an All-Star team because of their talent. Their stars include former Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey, All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald, wide receiver Odell Beckham, quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp. The Rams rank fourth in the NFL in passing yardage per game (288.9), seventh in total yards (384.1) and eighth in scoring (27.2).

And the Jaguars will be without their top cornerback Shaquill Griffin, who did not make the trip to Los Angeles because he remains in concussion protocol for the second consecutive week. Also, running back James Robinson (heel, knee) had an injury setback this week in practice and is listed as questionable to play Sunday.

Offensively, the Jaguars have had protection breakdowns for Lawrence with the pocket closing in quickly with edge rushers. It could get ugly in a hurry Sunday because the Rams have one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL with veteran Von Miller, Leonard Floyd and Donald, who has 52.5 sacks over the last four seasons.

The Rams have the fifth-most sacks in the league with 30. The Jaguars have 19, the fourth-lowest in the NFL.

''Quite a cast of characters on that side,'' Jaguars offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. ''Great players at all levels of their defense. It starts with their defensive line. There is really no one better in the league than Aaron and then they added Von. Jalen on the back end, so they have really talented players.''

Sunday's Game

Jaguars vs. Rams

Time: 4:05 p.m.

Where: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles

TV: FOX

Radio: 1010XL, 92.5 FM

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars continues to experience misery against NFC teams with 15-game losing streak