Jacksonville Jaguars: 5 Questions about the New York Jets

Can the Jacksonville Jaguars continue their winning ways this weekend at home against the New York Jets?

It seems as though some of the players on the New York Jets roster from last season remember what happened last year in Jacksonville in a 31-12 win for the Jaguars. According to a report from Rick Cimini of ESPN.com, the Jaguars ran the score up on a visiting team that was soundly beaten.

"“I thought it was pretty disrespectful,” defensive lineman Leonard Williams said in the ESPN.com article. “The game was already won. There was only a minute-and-a-half left to go. Not only did they keep running the ball to try to score again, but they also went for two points, which was even more over the top.”"

The odd thing about that win, which gave the Jaguars a 3-1 record, was the last time fans here in Jacksonville really felt like this team was a contender and a possible Super Bowl representative last season. After that, the Jaguars posted a 2-10 record which included a seven-game losing streak.

This year, the Jets come into TIAA Bank Field 1-5 after losing 33-0 to the New England Patriots on Monday night. The Jaguars, 3-4 this season, hope to win their second game in a row before heading to London. This is as much a “must-win” game for both teams as there can be one.

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A loss for the Jets further distances them from contention. Jacksonville needs to win to get back to .500 with three AFC South opponents over the course of the next month.

This past week, I had a chance to talk to Paul A. Esden Jr. of The Jet Press, which is Black and Teal’s sister site here on FanSided.com, about this week’s game. Here is what he had to say about this weekend’s matchup.

The Jets have issues on offense. The passing game is ranked 32nd in the NFL. The running game is 30th. How does this team get off to a fast start in Jacksonville?

Some of those stats are misleading since the New York Jets were without their starting quarterback with mononucleosis for most of the season, but there’s no question the team has struggled.

It all starts with the offensive line, on paper they should be average, but they haven’t played like it. That has stalled the passing and running game respectively. If the team wants to get off to a fast start they need to help Sam Darnold get some early completions and get his confidence back.

Sam just had the worst game of his collegiate/professional career in front of millions on Monday Night Football, it’s important for him to turn the page.

What has been your overall impression of first-round draft pick Quinnen Williams so far?

Some unfortunate injuries cost him a few games earlier this season and stunted his development, but make no mistake about it, Quinnen [Williams] is a stud. He’s captivated the media, fan base, and the organization with his childlike innocence and dominant play on the field.

Williams is going to be a very good player, but it’s been hard to notice with the team’s 1-5 start to the season.

How do the Jets stop Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette this week?

The New York Jets have the sixth-best rush defense in the NFL (553 rushing yards allowed). The offense may be terrible, but the defense has been really good this year.

Gregg Williams has been mostly brilliant as the defensive coordinator for the green and white. The Jets plan on serving stuffing on the road vs. [Leonard] Fournette. After forcing the Jaguars to be a one-dimensional offense, then Gregg can send some exotic blitz schemes at a young quarterback in Gardner Minshew.

Jamal Adams always floats around the line of scrimmage and can punish his LSU brethren on the gridiron.

Who on this roster has to step up this week for the Jets to win?

Several players have to step up: Sam Darnold, the offensive line, and quite frankly Adam Gase. Gase was brought in for his offensive prowess and his ability to develop the quarterback. Darnold is the Jets’ biggest asset.

His development is paramount to the success of this organization. No one thought the Jets would go 16-0 this year, but a lot of people expected creativity offensively, Darnold showing improvement, and a refreshed Gase in a new place.

We haven’t gotten that yet consistently, but if the Jets are going to win a game, let alone make a run, they’ll need their offense to step up.

Should head coach Adam Gase be on the hot seat for this team’s performance so far this season?

Should head coach Adam Gase be on the hot seat for this team’s performance so far this season?
This is a complicated question. On one hand, he was dealt a crappy hand with injuries (CJ Mosley, Quinnen Williams), mono (Sam Darnold), and an incredibly difficult schedule to start the season.

That combination is a huge reason why the team has struggled. Adam Gase shouldn’t be blamed for that, how many NFL teams would win games with their third-string backup? So he’s not solely responsible, BUT the last two weeks is judge worthy. Great game vs. Dallas, terrible game vs New England. It’s time for him to step up, there’s a small chance he could be one-and-done as a head coach, it all depends on what happens this season.

Joe Douglas is the new general manager of this team and he inherited Gase, so it’ll be something to monitor.

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