Jacksonville Jaguars Must Win Early And Often In 2017 For A Playoff Contending Season
By Larry Brake
The Jacksonville Jaguars must win in Week 1 to break trend. To make the playoffs, the Jaguars must win early and build a winning attitude.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have not had a win in Week 1 since 2011. A Maurice Jones-Drew touchdown and three Josh Scobee field goals were enough to defeat the Tennessee Titans 16-14. The Jaguars lost the next five games to start at 1-5.
Jacksonville finished 2010 with an 8-8 record. David Garrard threw three touchdown passes to lead the Jaguars to a Week 1victory over the Denver Broncos. Marcedes Lewis caught two of those touchdown passes.
An 8-8 season in 2006 began with a Week 1 come-from-behind winner over the Dallas Cowboys. Byron Leftwich had a good day in the 24-17 victory. He threw for 237 yards and a touchdown and ran for a score.
Since the Jaguars began play in 1995, they have had only seven seasons with winning records. They have had two .500 seasons. Being a real contender is a distant memory for most Jaguar fans and opening week victories are practically unheard of.
Three Keys For Jacksonville To Win Early And Often
First of all, the 2017 schedule is loaded with winning opportunities. Jacksonville knows which teams are on their schedule. They should know by mid-April who they will face weekly. Road games are usually tough but the Jaguars have the possibility of winning four of them in 2017.
Next, upgrading positions through the draft is a must. The free agent period has helped upgrade Jacksonville in key positions. Now, the Jaguars need to address the running back position through the draft, whether in the first round or mid to late rounds. Opinions are mixed as to which running back to select, but getting back to a solid ground game and returning to the old winning culture will be key. When the Jags were at their best they had Fred Taylor as a workhorse.
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Third, Blake Bortles needs to have a quality back up. Due to Bortles’ ability to throw to the wrong jersey, the Jaguars need someone to mentor him. Chad Henne is on board to be that player again but hasn’t been particularly effective in the role. Ryan Fitzpatrick is an available free agent that might have a calming effect on Bortles. If Fitzpatrick were forced into action, he is a seasoned veteran to trust. Most of all, Bortles must be benched if he hasn’t improved. Accountability is key in his development.
To win the AFC South, Jacksonville must leave no stone unturned. The game plans must be all out victory instead of playing not to lose. The time is now and the Jaguars have to prove that they are a truly building a winning organization. That starts with winning early.