How the Jaguars can make the playoffs in 2019

The 5-11 season the Jacksonville Jaguars posted in 2018 was one of the biggest let downs of any NFL team last season. Can this team bounce back in 2019?

Are the Jacksonville Jaguars ready to retake the AFC South after a one-year aberration? Is this roster good enough to conquer the division once again and steamroll to the AFC Championship? Do better quarterback play and good health mean the Black and Teal will rise again?

My colleague at FanSided, Russell Baxter, wrote about how the Jaguars could once again become the kings of their division. I was writing about this when his story published. There is a chance for these Jaguars, with a different roster from only a few months ago, to show they are a better team by virtue of addition and subtraction.

Having a healthy roster and a running game that is effective will help as well.

The AFC South may have gotten better from top to bottom – where the Jaguars resided last season.

But that does not mean Jacksonville has to take up space in the low-rent district for long. Here is my own take on how the Jaguars can make the playoffs in 2019.

Win the Division – It sounds easier said than done. The coaching staff must find a way to beat their division rivals – something this team only did once last season.

The Jaguars could not solve the Tennessee Titans for the second year in a row. The only victory within the AFC South came in a 6-0 home win against the Indianapolis Colts. This must change.

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In the two games against the Houston Texans, ineffective quarterback play exposed this team for what it wasn’t.

If Jacksonville can at least win four of their division games or figure out a way to beat the Titans twice, the team’s odds of making the playoffs gets better.

Focus on a better passing offense – That’s what Foles is here for. The Jaguars passing offense wasn’t a juggernaut in the team’s 2017 playoff season, but it was better than the 2018 version. Offensive coordinator John DiFilippo should open things up and design schemes that fit Foles’ strengths.

This should also mean the short and intermediate passing game will benefit from a pass-catching tight end. Both rookie Josh Oliver and James O’Shaughnessy should become key components on second and third down.

I am also curious how the new game plan incorporates the use of the running back and will someone in the room fill the void left because T.J. Yeldon is no longer here.

Control the clock – The team’s defense was gassed last season. They could not stay off the field. The lack of a running game and the injuries on the offensive line are partially to blame for lack of execution.

If the defense has time to rest, it will be more effective and the pass rush may return to its 2017 form. Also, the Jaguars scored just over 15 points a game last season compared to over 24 two seasons ago. It all boils down to clock management.

Jacksonville may play more of an uptempo offense this season where Foles is effective in shotgun formation. The speed outside with his receivers could create matchup problems early and often for opposing secondaries.