Jaguars: The offense must improve to avoid a losing season

Can the Jaguars make improvements in the second half of the season to charge toward the playoffs?

The Jaguars offense is currently in the bottom quarter of the NFL in many offensive statistical categories. If the team hopes to make a run to the playoffs, there must be changes made that start with this weekend’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Three areas the offense must improve are the team’s starting field position, reducing the number of fumbles, and finishing scoring drives with touchdowns.

Per footballoutsiders.com, the Jaguars are fourth in field goals made – thank you Josh Lambo – and are fifth in interceptions per drive thanks to Gardner Monshew’s ability to make plays happen in and out of the pocket.

More from Jacksonville Jaguars News

• The Jacksonville Jaguars got so lucky with the 2021 NFL Draft
• Jacksonville Jaguars opt for continuity at RB, re-sign JaMycal Hasty
• Jaguars Mock Draft: Huge trade for a WR, add more help on offense
• 3 landing spots for Jacksonville Jaguars WR Marvin Jones in 2023 NFL free agency
• 3 takeaways from Jacksonville Jaguars decision to give DE Roy Robertson-Harris new 3-year deal

While there isn’t a huge problem with the offense, there is still a need to get better. A 4-5 record coming out of the bye week is not made, but if the goal is the team being higher than mediocrity, then there is a need to look at the offense.

The first key to winning football is field position. The Jaguars are ranked 29 out of 32 teams in starting field position. Against the Colts, Jacksonville must play on a shorter field to give itself more opportunities to reach the end zone.

An example of why this is true comes from hogshaven.com.

"Long sustained offensive drives are hard to muster constantly.  NFL reams tend to be so evenly balanced that it is difficult for an offense time and time again and drive 75+ yards to score a touchdown."

If a team starts a drive at the 20-yard line or less it’s very difficult to score but if the team starts past its own 35-yards-line, it becomes an easier task. The Jaguars are 24th in touchdowns per drive.  As much as I loved watching Minshew play, the stats don’t lie. Head coach Doug Marrone is hoping for more production from veteran quarterback Nick Foles.

Turnovers are an issue that can plague an offense. The good news for the Jaguars is that Minshew led an offense that was ranked fifth in interceptions per drive, but he also ran an offense ranked 30th overall in fumbles per drive.

The reason may be because sacks are the major reason for fumbles. While in the pocket or scrambling to make a play, he takes too long to release the ball. The other issue is the offensive blockers are being beaten physically by the defenders.

Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo should add more pass plays that develop quickly and non-traditional blocking schemes and extra personnel to assist the offensive line.

Finally, it is critical to finish drives by getting into the endzone.  The Jaguars rank 28th in red-zone offense.  While they have no difficulty kicking field goals, touchdowns have not come so easy. Again, it is apparent that the offensive line is unable to overwhelm the opponents on a shorter field. The team’s running backs, Leonard Fournette and Ryquell Armstead are not outside runners. This means that the coaches need to call more passing plays in the red zone to compensate for goal-line defense.

This all seems very simple but not always easy to overcome. If the coaching staff for the Jaguars can improve the team’s starting field position, reduce the number of interceptions, and call plays that score touchdowns in the red zone the second half of the season should be very interesting.