Change Is Needed To Allow Jacksonville The Chance To Win Games
By Larry Brake
The Jacksonville Jaguars changed the game with a disastrous series in the third quarter. Jacksonville went from trailing the Houston Texans by four points to eleven.
Even after Jacksonville Jaguar quarterback Blake Bortles threw an early interception, the Jaguars could have won the game. Bortles led the Jaguars down the field to tie the game at 7-7. Jacksonville appeared to be gaining enough momentum to change defeat into victory.
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Houston led 14-10 going into halftime. The Jaguars were still poised to strike and the game was still close.
in the first half with passes that were low and off target. The short passing game moved the Jacksonville offense down the field. Then the series that changed the game happened.
Jacksonville forced a Texan punt and had possession of the ball on their 28 yard line. The third quarter clock read 6:01 left to play. Maybe the Jaguars could move down the field for a go-ahead touchdown. Most of all, a touchdown would change the Jaguar demeanor from losing to potentially winning.
The Next Five Plays Were Enough To Change The Game.
First and ten, Jacksonville lined up in a tight packed set. Three receivers lined up in a tight bunch right. Bortles lined up in the gun, looking like a run to the right side. Houston blitzed and sacked Bortles for a quick loss of eight yards.
Jacksonville lined up for second and eighteen from the twenty. Chris Ivory ran a two yard curl route in front of Bortles. The pass missed low and wide. Change in the Jaguar momentum began to display itself. Flashback to week one occurred on the next play.
In week one, the Jaguars attempted a receiver screen on fourth and one, which failed miserably. That play has haunted Bortles all season. Surely, a change at Offensive Coordinator would make the perfect play call on third and eighteen.
Jacksonville needed to convert on third down to keep the drive moving. Bortles lined up in the gun with Marcedes Lewis lined up left. As the ball was snapped, Lewis chipped the rush end as he ran laterally left. Bortles threw the ball to Lewis before the lineman could reach Lewis for blocking. Screen pass lost four yards to force Jacksonville to punt.
The punt on fourth down changed the game. Houston had first and goal after a 57 yard punt return. Houston scored a touch down to lead 21-10.
Five plays that resulted from a disastrous series, rocked the Jaguars playoff chances. Change in the coaching staff did not change the result on the field. Expect more games like this until real change is made at quarterback.