Jaguars fall to Buffalo: When will changes be made?
By David Levin
The Jacksonville Jaguars lost 24-21 to the Buffalo Bills, most likely ending their playoff hunt and further acentuating the need for change within the football team and potentially the coaching staff.
With one punch, the momentum the Jacksonville Jaguars were running toward another touchdown was eliminated. The altercation involving running game Leonard Fournette that led to punches being thrown with Shaq Lawson was a microcosm of a season that beaten itself into the ground with injuries, poor play and poor coaching.
Say what you want. Listen to coachspeak. Continue to support this team. But the fact remains with five games remaining in the season and a 3-8 record, the Jaguars will be home for the new year.
The loss on Sunday was another self-inflicted wound that should never have happened. The team’s running game was solid. The defense was playing well after allowing a 14-0 lead in the first quarter of play. These Jaguars looked like they were coming around, in spite of their play at quarterback.
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While Fournette accepted the responsibility for the loss on Sunday, it does not erase the fact Jacksonville will not have a winning record this season after winning the AFC South at 10-6 last year.
"“I take full responsibility for that,” he said. “We lost the game. We should’ve won this game hands down.”“I have to be a professional. I mean, you can’t have that,” he added."
Where do the Jaguars turn now? It was another case of being good enough to win a football game, one they should have had. With five games on the schedule with Indianapolis, Tennessee, Washington, Miami and Houston remaining, where will another victory come from? Jacksonville figures to be an underdog in each contest.
"“The Jaguars can’t seem to avoid losing them these days,” wrote Phillip Heilman of the Florida Times-Union. “During their ongoing seven-game losing streak, they’ve been blown out (Kansas City and Dallas), semi-blown out (Houston) and lost close games (Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Buffalo).”"
The Jaguars once again outgained their opponent (333-327 yards) abd ran for 226 yards in the cold confines of New Era Stadium. The coaching staff took the ball away from Blake Bortles and used a punding rushing attack that ate up yards and the clock. But a rookie quarterback who ran for 99 yards (Josh Allen) and was able to avoid the Jacksonville pash rush prevailed.
Fournette had 95 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns before being ejected. It was by far his best game of the season. He may have scored more had he been around to see the end of the game.
Now with the season in complete free fall, when will changes be made? Will the coaching staff replace Bortles? What happens to Fournette, who should receive a hefty fine and possible suspension? Are there enough things to build on in the next five weeks to prepare for the 2019 season? Can this team stay healthy enough on the offensive line to block anyone?
Today is Monday, and a new week of questions still remain unanswered by the Jacksonville Jaguars.