Houston, the Jacksonville Jaguars have a problem
By David Levin
After a 20-7 loss to the Houston Texans, a three-game losing streak and an argument that broke out in the locker room, the Jacksonville Jaguars have bigger issues than just dealing with injuries and poor execution.
Yesterday, I said the game against the Houston Texans made me nervous. I was worried the Jacksonville Jaguars were on the verge of either fixing their issues on offense or the team was heading in a different direction. Now, with three consecutive losses, what happens next to a franchise on the teetering edge of implosion?
"“Again, another week, another minus-three in turnovers,” coach Doug Marrone said when he met with the media after the game. “The one thing that we talked about all week long, every single day, the one thing that we’ve been preaching is that we cannot turn the ball over. Obviously, it’s very frustrating. It’s also very disappointing when you go out there in the first series, you turn the ball over, the defense does a nice job in holding them to three.”"
The Jaguars were once again shutout in the first half. It was the first time in franchise history this team could not manage a single point in the first half in three straight games. Blake Bortles hurt his team. Wide receivers could not make catches. The offensive line still looks like it is being held together by tape and glue.
And yes, the defense is tired from being on the field so much, but another team gashed them for rushing yards that last year would have been bottled up.
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What we have here is a team that resembles the teams of old. The onus is on the coaching staff to once again fix what’s wrong. The players must band together, not find fault with each other. There is division in the locker room, as evident of arguing that resulted in players have to be restrained.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are not a playoff team right now. Forget the DUUUVAL chants. Don’t book flights to Atlanta in February. Don’t assume Bortles will be back with this team next season. Most of all, don’t assume it’s just the offense that needs fixing. Everyone is on notice to get their act together and play some football. With the Philadelphia Eagles on the slate for next week in London, a 0-4 second quarter of the season is highly likely.
As a fan, it ticks me off. What this coaching staff cannot do is lose the locker room or this season will be lost. At 3-4, there is still a chance to make the playoffs. But the continuity of this roster, the 53 who suit up each week must be challenged. Leaders on and off the field must corral the troops. There cannot be finger-pointed. You win as a team, you lose as a team.
Jags just briefly opened up the doors to the locker room before shutting them. Calais Campbell was holding back Yannick Ngakoue, who threw off Campbell. Lots of yelling coming from the room.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) October 21, 2018
Marrone is still searching for answers. His coordinators must call a better game. This is not how this was supposed to go. By now, fans were supposed to be talking about the holiday season and a winning football team. The city is dejected. Fans want a winner. Hopefully, things turn around.
The turnovers have to stop. Running the football has to become the focal point of this offense again. The defense needs to worry about stopping the run. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett must make a roster full of new faces work well together.
There is a picture of Bortles sitting on the bench alone watching the game on the giant screen with a look on his face that can only be described as unsureness. That is how this season has gone so far. There are nine games left and plenty to play for.
Marrone wants to correct mistakes and get back to playing Jaguars football. It needs to happen soon or the season will be lost for good.
"“It doesn’t matter what you do well to be able to build on if you are turning the ball over. If we weren’t turning the ball over, yes, there would be things to build on,” Marrone said. “But it’s very difficult when you turn it over and you put yourself behind, and especially when you turn it over in the scoring area of the opponent.”"