Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone Pleased With Home Win

The Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone told the media following the team’s 31-20 win over the New England Patriots he was pleased with the way his team performed in the first home game of the season.

It’s a win this community will savor. For the Jacksonville Jaguars and head coach Doug Marrone, it’s a good win and the first one at home for the 2018 season. While Marrone was happy with the team played, as he usually does when he talks with the media, he stressed it’s the first home game in an early NFL season.

"“It’s a win. We felt comfortable going into the game. I can’t explain it any other way. We felt good about the plan. We felt good about where we were. Our players did a heck of a job during the week,” Marrone explained.“Sometimes as a coach you can tell. You never know how they are going to play. I’ve made that mistake millions of times like we probably all have, but I thought there’s certain times, situations during the week, they were focused and I think they learned that you’ve got to be that way to beat a good football team and we beat a good football team. The schedule is a tough schedule.”"

More from Jacksonville Jaguars News

• Jacksonville Jaguars land DeAndre Hopkins in trade proposal to stop the KC Chiefs
• The Jaguars may look for edge rushers with pick 24
• NFL free agency felt like a whirlwind for Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram in 2022
• Jacksonville Jaguars in position to let RT Jawaan Taylor hit free agency in 2023
• Jaguars GM Trent Baalke hopes HC Doug Pederson has trust in him

Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles outplayed Tom Brady, throwing for 377 yards and four touchdowns. It was another step in the maturation process of the fifth-year starter.

Bortles has shown improvement all throughout camp with his throwing motion. Surgery on his right wrist may have taken away from of the issues that have dogged him over the past season.

Marrone said he was pleased with the way the offense played, especially how Bortles was able to continue showing he knows this system and continues to get better.

"“I think that he made some really good throws today. I thought he played with a lot of confidence. He knows and understands that he has to do that every week. He catches a lot of [expletive] and today he’s going to be OK… Again, he did a nice job today,” Marrone said."

The Jaguars showed proficiency on third down, converting 10 of 14 plays. The offense was in a better rhythm this week, racking up 481 yards. The ground game wasn’t needed as much this week with Bortles spreading the ball around to nine different receivers and moving the football on the ground when plays broke down due to coverage.

The Jaguars were able to reduce their penalties this week to only seven.

The Jaguars made the decision to keep running back Leonard Fournette out of the game due to a hamstring injury. Despite being seen jogging prior to the game outside TIAA Bank Field, the decision did not prove costly as T.J. Yeldon and Corey Grant moved the ball effectively when they had their opportunities.

"“He had a good week,” Marrone said of Fournette’s progress. “We put a lot of work into it, and it was a point of Leonard wanted to go, and it was that risk-reward and you try to not get caught up in the game, you know what I’m saying? Rather than take a chance where you can be out. It was minor, a little thing pulling at it, and we couldn’t get that little thing out.”"

There is no decision yet if Fournette will be in the lineup next week against the Tennessee Titans. The win over the Patriots was the first of three straight home games for Jacksonville.