Jacksonville Jaguars vs Baltimore Ravens: Three crucial keys to a victory

Offense must protect the football

Obviously no team wants to have turnovers, but it took just two weeks into the season to see how consequential turnovers are for the Jaguars.

In week one against the Houston Texans, Jacksonville held a firm grip on the football, not committing one turnover in the game. Subsequently, the Jaguars were able to play their style of football on offense and ran away with a 29-7 victory.

On the flip side of a clean opening game, the Jaguars gave the ball away three times against the Tennessee Titans in week two. With those two interceptions and a forced fumble on Blake Bortles, the Titans were able to build a lead. Playing from behind is not Jacksonville’s strength, and after falling behind, the Jaguars had to abandon the way they want to play on offense. When this happened, the game really began to hit a downward spiral, and the Jaguars dug a hole they couldn’t climb out of at home.

On Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville must keep a hold of the football if they want a chance to win the game and get back above .500.

Of course, protecting the football begins with Blake Bortles. Bortles reverted to his old ways last Sunday, with the two interceptions and lost fumble. With the ground and pound offensive philosophy Jacksonville has, Bortles doesn’t necessarily have to play spectacular. But what he absolutely must find a way to do is not have the careless turnovers, a task Bortles has proven to be easier said then done.

Jacksonville will have a hard enough time beating the Ravens as is, but gifting Baltimore with free possessions will lead to a long day for the Jaguars.