Jaguars fall out of playoff contention with loss to the Titans

Another afternoon where the Jacksonville Jaguars failed to stop the run resulted in a 42-20 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

This time last year, the Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone made the decision to fire offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. The team was 3-8 and in the middle of a seven-game losing streak. The offense was sputtering along with two less-than-average quarterbacks and a running game that high school teams could have stopped.

At 4-7 and the playoffs, a faded memory for this organization, what the Jaguars do over the course of the next five weeks will impact what the front office does with the coaching staff. Following a 42-20 loss to the Tennessee Titans, it’s a fair bet no one in within the organization is safe from top to bottom.

As of writing this editorial, Marrone stated last night he has no intention of making a change at quarterback or from defensive coordinator Todd Wash for next week’s game at home against Tampa Bay.

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Once again, the Jaguars surrendered more than 200 yards rushing to an AFC South opponent and for the third time in as many games, the Jaguars lost by 20 points or more. Those are statistics that will weigh heavily in the decision of team owner Shad Khan and management as to the future of this franchise.

With Marrone’s seat already warm as the season started, it must be a bit more heated after Thursday’s afternoon’s loss that ended any hope of the team making the postseason.

“It’s very frustrating,” defensive end Calais Campbell said following the game via Jaguars.com.

"“We worked hard and prepared like we were supposed to. We played a good half of football and then we came out in the second half and didn’t play a complete game. It sucks. I know how good we can be. But it’s a matter of results. What you can be doesn’t mean anything. It’s what you are.”"

The Jaguars are a team on the slide. The defense cannot stop the run. Quarterback Nick Foles does not look comfortable on the field and still shows a bit of rust in his play. The offensive line, although better on Sunday, still does not give the running game the push it needs upfront. And the run defense is still trying to figure out how Derrick Henry owns them on a consistent basis.

The defense did a good job of defending Henry in the first half, allowing him just 26 yards on the ground. It was the third quarter that became their undoing as a 28-point barrage by the Titans left the Jaguars deflated and defeated. Henry finished with 159 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, which also included a 74-yard gallop to the end zone.

"“It’s disappointing, and it’s very difficult to win in this league – obviously – if you can’t stop the run,” Marrone said in his postgame comments."

The team did manage to get its own running game moving on Sunday as Leonard Fournette gained 97 yards on 24 carries. He also scored two touchdowns. He led the Jaguars with nine catches for 62 yards.