The Jacksonville Jaguars lose a must-win game

THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS HAD A CHANCE TO MAKE A STATEMENT IN A MUST WIN GAME.  INSTEAD THEY PUNTED THE GAME AWAY IN A DISMAL LOSS.

This game was winnable for the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, the Jaguars found a new way to lose an even numbered game. Most of the time  Jaguar losses are blamed on the offense but special teams lost this game.   The field goal kicker missed two long kicks.  The punter was just plain awful.  The punts were short and one was blocked. In fact, throughout the game, I said to myself “he must be injured”.  Injury must cause the poor punts. He was a decent punter until this week.  That being said it may be time to look at other kickers.  Let’s move on from the obvious and look at the rest of the team.

THE OFFENSE IS VERY PREDICTABLE

Nathaniel Hackett called more pass plays this game.  That was a plus…or so I thought.  However he obsessed on screen passes to Chris Ivory.  Our team, the fans, and the opposing team knew  the screen pass was called every time Ivory came on the field.  Well…not every time! Furthermore Hackett continued to run Leonard Fournette into a brick wall.  The Fournette stats are impressive.  He had 21 carries for 130 yards. Remove the 75 yard run.  20 carries for 55 yards are left.  In essence he takes too many hard hits.

BLAKE BORTLES IS BLAKE BORTLES

The Bortles stats look great on paper. He passed 35 times with 23 completions and 241 yards.  The stats are misleading.  Bortles folds at crunch time.  He fumbles.  He overthrows receivers.  BB takes sacks too often. It’s time for a change.  Bortles ran the ball very well in college.  Hackett needs to call running plays for Bortles.  Success breeds success and Bortles needs success.

POSITIVES

The NFC south championship is in the cards for the Jaguars.  They lead the division with a 3-3 record.  Moreover the division is weak and very winnable.  The good news is next game is an odd numbered game.  Of course the Jaguars win odd numbered games.

The defense is certainly top notch.  Moreover they can produce wins. Sadly, no defense can produce wins every week without help from the offense and special teams.

The head coach changed the culture of the team.  At long last the Jaguars expect to win and play to win.  They no longer play not to lose.

The young players and free agents are great!  Finally, the perpetual draft failures are gone.  Also the free agents are successes and not failures.

A BRIEF SUMMARY

The game on Sunday was a set back.  At the same time the Jaguars are a vastly improved team.  The coaching staff must continue to find ways to win.