The Jacksonville Jaguars had an excellent opportunity to bury the Houston Texans in the AFC South standings on Sunday but couldn’t get it done inside Wembley Stadium in London. 

Jacksonville lost a thriller, 34-31, on Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 49-yard field goal as time expired. 

Had the Jaguars won, they would have enjoyed a four-game lead over the Texans, who were expected by many to unseat them as division champs this year. Jacksonville would have also had a three-game lead over the Indianapolis Colts, who lost on Sunday to the previously winless Tennessee Titans. 

Untimely penalties, dropped passes, and another game where the pass rush couldn’t get home will have the Jaguars lamenting what could have been. For the second straight week in London, Jacksonville didn’t look like the better team. 

This time, there would be no miracles, and they lost on a walk-off field goal one week after winning in the same manner. 

Here are my five biggest takeaways from the Jaguars’ heartbreaking loss:

1. Travis Hunter needs to play offense more: In only nine offensive snaps, Hunter showed what he is capable of as a wide receiver. He caught four passes for 59 yards and his second-career touchdown, becoming the first player since 2002 to catch a touchdown and record an interception in the same game. 

Hunter is a game-wrecker on both sides of the ball, and keeping him on the sideline for half a game seems criminal. 

Especially with the continued struggles of Brian Thomas Jr. (more on him in a minute), Hunter must have a regular role on offense from this point forward. 

2. Brian Thomas Jr.’s time as a Jaguar should end: I hate to give up on a player of BTJ’s talent, but he looks broken. 

Thomas had another crucial drop in the first half on what would have been a big gain and was benched for the entire second half. He failed to record a catch yet again and has completely lost the trust of his coaches and quarterback. 

His snaps would be better off going to Hunter or rookie Josh Cameron. Jacksonville showed faith in Thomas by turning down significant trade offers for him this offseason, but the third-year WR hasn’t rewarded the team’s confidence in him. 

At this point, it is time for the Jaguars to see if he has any trade value left at all and move on. A sad ending for sure, but an ending that would be better for the team and the player. 

3. The Jaguars must trade for a pass rusher: Another game with zero sacks for Jacksonville’s defense, this one against a very suspect Houston offensive line. 

Since Week 1, Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker have combined for half a sack. The concern used to be whether the Jaguars had enough of a pass rush behind those two; now it is whether they have anyone who can get to the quarterback. 

Without facing much pressure, C.J. Stroud carved up Jacksonville’s defense all day, throwing for 312 yards and three TDs. He could have had a fourth score, but Hunter intercepted him in the end zone. 

4. Every Non-Hunter CB is a liability right now: Sunday’s game saw every one of Jacksonville’s CBs who isn’t Travis Hunter get abused all day. Even Hunter had his issues. 

However, Jarrian Jones continues to be picked on, and Jourdan Lewis always seems to be a step behind. Montaric Brown, who was out with a hamstring injury, has given up an astounding 3.8 yards per coverage snap this season (league avg is 1.1). 

The Jaguars can’t win a Super Bowl with three of their top four corners getting burned routinely. Whether allowing completions or committing penalties, the secondary has been a huge liability. 

5. Penalties are killing this team: After back-to-back weeks with 13 penalties, the Jaguars only committed six against the Texans, but the majority came at the worst possible times. 

A hold on Brenton Strange (admittedly an atrocious call) wiped out a Bhayshul Tuten touchdown, and Trevor Lawrence threw an interception in the end zone shortly after. 

Hunter’s pass interference against star WR Nico Collins led to a touchdown. On a Houston punt on fourth-and-1, Hunter didn’t get off the field in time, allowing the drive to continue. That drive, of course, ended with a Texans touchdown. 

In a three-point loss, the crucial penalties absolutely cost the Jaguars the game.