The Jaguars must win the turnover battle on Sunday
By David Levin
If the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to secure a win on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, they must win the turnover battle.
The Jacksonville Jaguars looked as though they picked up right where they left off last season in the 20-16 win over the New York Giants. Linebacker Myles Jack picked off Eli Manning and took the ball back for a touchdown to secure the win.
That memory seems like a lifetime ago. So much has changed. The offense is stagnant. The defense hasn’t played up to the level it did last season when it was considered one of the best, if not the best in the NFL.
"“The Jaguars were plus-10 in this category last season and played in the AFC Championship Game. They are minus-11 this season and facing a must-win situation in Week 10. That’s no coincidence,” writes John Oehser of Jaguars.com."
The Jaguars defense showed life before the bye week when they intercepted Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz and forced a fumble. It has come down to small victories for this franchise. That could lead to a big week in Indianapolis after a week off to rest and re-energize.
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Jalen Ramsey took a subdued approach with the media this week, telling everyone there this is a team that now has eight weeks to turn things around. The guys in the locker room have the ability to still make the postseason.
"“We know the talent we have in here. We have faith that we can get it done. We just have to go out there and do it,” he said."
This team is in a hole, as Ramsey acknowledged. Whether it can climb out of it and reach the playoffs is the question that is still left to be answered.
While winning the turnover battle is crucial to a win, stopping the run is something the defense much also focus on. Everyone knows quarterback Andrew Luck is going to attempt to beat this team through the air, but the Colts offense has been aided by a rejuvenated run game of late and Marlon Mack.
"“The Colts’ second-year veteran running back has rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown per game in the last three weeks,” Oehser wrote. “The Jaguars are 24thin the NFL in rushing at 123.25 yards per game.”"
A.J. Bouye, Quenton Meeks won't play for Jaguars on Sunday. dark. Next
Jacksonville must establish a lead late in the game so the Colts do not run on the defense, controlling the clock and gaining extra yards on the ground in the process.