Three Jaguars to Watch Against the New York Jets
By David Levin
When the Jacksonville Jaguars take on the New York Jets Sunday at TIAA Bank Field, these are three players to watch for the home team.
It’s time to move forward. The Jacksonville Jaguars cannot control what happened last weekend in their 9-6 loss to the Tennessee Titans. That is over and done with. What this franchise can do is focus on beating the New York Jets on Sunday at TIAA Bank Field.
This game will mark the third straight home game for Jacksonville and a chance for the Jaguars to finish the first quarter of the 2018 season 3-1. Jacksonville lost 23-20 last year to the Jets in overtime in the fourth game of the season to finish the first month 2-2.
Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone told the media on Wednesday morning the key to bouncing back after a loss like the one against a division rival is to have a productive Monday. The team was able to do that, which is a step in the right direction headed toward Sunday’s clash with the Jets.
More from Jacksonville Jaguars News
- 3 centers the Jacksonville Jaguars should draft with pick 57
- Jacksonville Jaguars won’t get to see TE Dalton Kincaid perform drills at 2023 NFL Combine
- Jacksonville Jaguars have exceptional meeting with OL McClendon Curtis at 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
- The Jaguars should trade up for this receiver at 2023 NFL Draft
- NFL Combine 2023: Jacksonville Jaguars HC Doug Pederson and Trent Baalke will speak on Tuesday
“We had a productive Monday where we looked at things and were able to address some of the things we need to get done, execution-wise, the football, the penalties, all the things that contributed to us not performing as well as we should. Coming in with a mindset of really being focused, really putting in the work and preparation,” he explained.
There are still questions about which running backs will be healthy for Sunday and whether the team will have right guard A.J. Cann in the lineup. The Jaguars need to establish a consistent running game, which means Leonard Fournette or T.J. Yeldon or both would give this offense a shot of adrenaline.
The last thing this organization needs now is to suffer two losses in a row moving on to face the Kansas City Chiefs in a tough road test next weekend.
If Jacksonville is to get a win and re-establish momentum, these are three players to watch on Sunday.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins
The Jaguars got a glimpse of Austin Seferian-Jenkins last season in their 23-20 loss to the New York Jets.
The big tight end had four catches and helped move the chains in the Jets passing attack. Now, the role is reversed and Seferian-Jenkins is now being asked to help a passing attack that struggled last week for the Jaguars.
This could be the breakout game Seferian-Jenkins needs to establish himself as a threat in Jacksonville’s passing game.
The Jaguars starting running back
Whoever that is. The team has listed both Fournette and Yeldon as “day to day” in preparation for this game. It means many things and could mean nothing at all. Fournette’s hamstring continues to be a hot topic here in town.
Yeldon is dealing with an ankle injury, but played last week and has led the team in rushing this season. Both could play this Sunday, however, the team is being cautious with their runners. This also means a steady dose of Corey Grant may be in order against the Jets defense.
The Jaguars currently rank ninth in the NFL in rushing yards per contest. They were first in the league last season. I suspect there will be more balance in the offense this week given last week’s poor effort.
The running back, whoever gets the start, must get more carries and must find ways to get more than a few yards per carry.
Blake Bortles
I cannot say this enough. Blake Bortles has been on a roller coaster ride that must even out this season. Playing against the Jets is another opportunity to get on track.
We all thought we would get to see another 300-yard passing game this past weekend against Tennessee. That did not materialize. Bortles said in his weekly presser he knows the offense must improve. It starts with the man under center.
“I missed some throws. We missed some opportunities. We hurt ourselves. We didn’t take advantage of any opportunities that we had,” Bortles said.
dark. Next. Jaguars Defense Continues to Rank Amongst NFL's Best
Identifying the errors is one thing, correcting them is another. We must see a more consistent passing game this week, potentially with fewer attempts and more accuracy.