Turnover Woes Addressed as Jacksonville Jaguars Prep for Playoffs

In the NFL, turnovers are often the deciding factor between playoff success and early elimination—and for the Jacksonville Jaguars, fixing their turnover issues has become a top priority as they gear up for a postseason run. After finishing the 2024 regular season with 28 total turnovers (16 interceptions, 12 fumbles lost)—the fifth-most in the league—the Jaguars saw firsthand how costly mistakes can be: they lost six games by one score, and in five of those losses, turnovers led to at least 10 points for the opposing team. For a franchise that hasn’t advanced past the divisional round since 2017, addressing this issue isn’t just about winning games—it’s about transforming a talented roster into a playoff contender that can handle the pressure of high-stakes matchups. With a core of young stars including quarterback Trevor Lawrence, wide receiver Calvin Ridley, and edge rusher Josh Allen, the Jaguars have the talent to compete for a Super Bowl—but only if they can limit self-inflicted errors. This focus on fixing turnovers is why Turnover Woes Addressed as Jacksonville Jaguars Prep for Playoffs has become the defining narrative of the team’s off-season and training camp.

Turnover Woes Addressed as Jacksonville Jaguars Prep for Playoffs gains deeper context when examining the specific areas where the Jaguars struggled most with turnovers—and why those issues are fixable. The bulk of the Jaguars’ turnover problems stemmed from two sources: Lawrence’s inconsistent decision-making under pressure (he threw 14 of the team’s 16 interceptions, many on forced deep passes) and a lack of ball security in the running game (running backs and tight ends lost 8 of the 12 fumbles). What’s encouraging for the Jaguars is that these aren’t structural flaws—they’re correctable habits. Lawrence, for example, often forced passes into double coverage when facing a pass rush, a tendency that arose from a combination of overconfidence and a desire to lead the offense. Running backs, meanwhile, struggled with ball security in traffic, often holding the ball away from their bodies when being tackled. Unlike issues like poor offensive line play or a lack of talent, turnovers are often solved with targeted drills, film study, and mental preparation—areas the Jaguars have focused on heavily since the end of the 2024 season. By addressing these specific habits, the Jaguars aren’t just reducing turnovers—they’re unlocking the full potential of an offense that ranked 12th in total yards last season.

A critical part of Turnover Woes Addressed as Jacksonville Jaguars Prep for Playoffs is the targeted drills and training the Jaguars have implemented during off-season workouts and training camp to build better ball security and decision-making. For Lawrence, the team’s quarterbacks coach, Mike McCoy, designed a series of “pressure scenarios” during practice: Lawrence lines up behind a scout team offensive line that allows quick pressure, forcing him to make fast decisions about whether to throw, scramble, or check down to a running back. These drills are paired with film study sessions where Lawrence reviews his interceptions from last season, identifying patterns in when he tends to force passes (e.g., third-and-long, late in the first half). For running backs and tight ends, the Jaguars’ strength and conditioning staff created “tackle resistance” drills: players carry a football while wearing a weighted vest, and coaches or trainers hit them with padded sticks to simulate tackles, forcing them to clamp down on the ball. The team also added a “fumble recovery” component—after a simulated fumble, teammates race to recover the ball, reinforcing the importance of securing loose balls. Early results have been promising: during the first three weeks of training camp, the Jaguars committed just 4 turnovers in team drills, compared to 11 during the same period last year. These drills aren’t just about mechanics—they’re about building muscle memory and mental discipline that will hold up in high-pressure playoff games.

Turnover Woes Addressed as Jacksonville Jaguars Prep for Playoffs is particularly significant for the Jacksonville Jaguars as they prepare to face tough AFC playoff opponents, many of whom excel at forcing and capitalizing on turnovers. Teams like the Baltimore Ravens (who led the NFL with 31 takeaways in 2024) and the Kansas City Chiefs (who scored 142 points off turnovers last season) thrive on turning opponents’ mistakes into points—and the Jaguars’ 2024 turnover rate would have made them easy targets. By fixing their turnover issues, the Jacksonville Jaguars are not only improving their own chances of scoring but also neutralizing a key strength of their potential playoff rivals. For example, in a hypothetical playoff matchup against the Ravens, a turnover-free game from the Jaguars would force Baltimore to rely on its offense to score, rather than leaning on its defense to create opportunities. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ coaching staff has also emphasized that reducing turnovers will make their offense more predictable for teammates and less predictable for opponents—Lawrence’s improved decision-making will let receivers and running backs trust that he won’t force risky passes, while better ball security will let the offense stick to its game plan without worrying about sudden changes in field position. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, fixing turnovers isn’t just a regular-season improvement—it’s a playoff survival strategy.

Another vital angle of Turnover Woes Addressed as Jacksonville Jaguars Prep for Playoffs is the role of team leadership in fostering a culture of accountability around turnovers. Lawrence, who took responsibility for his interceptions at the end of last season, has become a vocal advocate for the team’s turnover-reduction efforts, leading by example in drills and encouraging teammates to prioritize ball security. During team meetings, he’s shared personal stories about how his interceptions cost the team games, framing the turnover issue as a collective challenge rather than an individual one. Ridley, too, has played a role—he’s worked with younger receivers on how to help Lawrence by adjusting routes to create easier passing options, reducing the need for forced throws. Even defensive players have gotten involved: Allen, the team’s star edge rusher, has attended offensive drills to share insights on how defenses look for turnover opportunities, helping offensive players anticipate pressure and protect the ball. This cross-positional collaboration has created a sense of unity around the turnover issue, making it clear that everyone on the team has a role to play in fixing it. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ head coach, Doug Pederson, has also reinforced this culture by rewarding turnover-free practices with small incentives (like an extra day off) and using film sessions to highlight both mistakes and improvements. This focus on accountability has turned a negative (turnovers) into a positive (team cohesion)—a shift that will serve the Jaguars well in the playoffs.

Finally, Turnover Woes Addressed as Jacksonville Jaguars Prep for Playoffs highlights the Jacksonville Jaguars’ commitment to sustainable success—and how fixing small, habit-based issues can be just as impactful as making big-ticket roster moves. Unlike signing a high-priced free agent or drafting a top prospect, reducing turnovers doesn’t require a large financial investment or a long-term development plan—it requires focus, discipline, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. The Jaguars’ front office and coaching staff have recognized that their roster already has the talent to win—they just need to eliminate the errors that were holding them back. This approach reflects a maturity in the organization: instead of looking for quick fixes, the Jacksonville Jaguars are addressing fundamental issues that will make them a better team for years to come. As the playoffs approach, all eyes will be on the Jaguars’ turnover rate—if they can keep it low, they have the potential to make a deep run; if not, they’ll likely be eliminated early. But for now, the signs are promising: during preseason games, the Jaguars committed just 2 turnovers in three games, a significant improvement from their 2024 regular-season rate. Turnover Woes Addressed as Jacksonville Jaguars Prep for Playoffs isn’t just a story about fixing mistakes—it’s a story about a team growing up, taking responsibility, and positioning itself to compete for the sport’s highest honor. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this off-season’s focus on turnovers could be the difference between another disappointing playoff exit and a trip to the Super Bowl.