Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Arizona Cardinals: Pro Football Focus Recap
By Daniel Lago
Nov 17, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Alan Ball (23) deflects a pass to Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) in the second quarter of their game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
Despite falling to the Arizona Cardinals at home this past Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars had one of their better performances of the season. The offense, if only briefly in the first half, showed signs of life and the defense played well outside of a couple big plays.
Let’s take a look at the grades provided by our friends at Pro Football Focus. Here’s how week 11 played out according to PFF:
Best Overall Offensive Grades: Austin Pasztor (+2.6), Uche Nwaneri (+1.7), Danny Noble (+1.1)
The offense had an explosive first quarter by the 2013 Jaguars’ standards but they fell off the map in the second half. Danny Noble’s lone target came on 4th down where he ran 50 yards after catching the ball for a touchdown. Austin Pasztor had a good day pass blocking – he didn’t give up a sack or a QB hurry – against a pretty good Cardinals defense. Uche ended up with a decent grade despite giving up a sack and he was the only offensive lineman with a good run blocking grade.
Best Overall Defensive Grades: Alan Ball (+4.8), Jeremy Mincey (+3.4), Jason Babin (+3.0)
The defense had a ton of players who graded out well by Pro Football Focus metrics and Alan Ball led the way. Ball only gave up 3 receptions on the 7 balls thrown his way thanks to 4 passes defended. He spent most of the day between Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald and held his own. Jeremy Mincey notched a sack to go along with 4 QB hurries and he played the run well. Jason Babin also got a sack and 4 hurries while stumbling into a good grade thanks to a positive coverage grade (?). Babin didn’t have an idiotic penalty and I consider that the best part of his performance on Sunday.
Most Disappointing Grades: Chad Henne (-2.8), Brad Meester (-1.3), Clay Harbor (-1.1), Dwayne Gratz (-1.7), Winston Guy (-1.3), Brandon Deaderick (-1.1)
Chad Henne is giving the coaching staff all the ammo they need to start Blaine Gabbert again. Chad Henne is generally ineffective but he was at least taking care of the ball in his first few starts. Sunday marked the second straight game where he had two indefensible interceptions in crucial moments. He’s the starter by default right now but that could change if he keeps playing this poorly. Brad Meester had a rough day against a very good defensive line especially run blocking. Clay Harbor was asked to stay in and run block a few plays and got overpowered pretty handily.
After a terrific performance in Tennessee, Dwayne Gratz got picked on a few times while covering Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald. He didn’t play too poorly, but he was the lone defensive player with a penalty. Winston Guy and Brandon Deaderick didn’t play too many snaps but they didn’t make a difference when they were on the field.
Other notes:
- Johnathan Cyprien finally graded out well (+1.9) for the first time this season. Surprisingly enough, Cyprien’s score was boosted by a very good pass coverage grade (+1.7).
- Russell Allen spent more time at middle linebacker due to Paul Posluszny’s absence, and while he did a good job against the run (+2.4), he got burned a few times in coverage (-2.8).
- Cecil Shorts was one of the most targeted receivers in the league going into the bye week, but Henne only went his direction 4 times on Sunday. Patrick Peterson may have had something to do with that, but it was still a curious decision on offense whether it was by Henne or Jedd Fisch.
– Daniel Lago
Yell at me on Twitter @dlago89