Jaguars must find its way on offense against the Raiders on Sunday

After five weeks of poor production on offense, can Jaguars offensive coordinator John DeFilippo call the right game against the Oakland Raiders?

Playing against the Raiders defense was tough enough for the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, but playing with wide receiver DJ Chark just made it a bit tougher.

As offensive coordinator John DeFilippo spoke to the media Thursday afternoon, he reminisced about his memories of Oakland but also remained focused on the fact his side of the football must score more points on Sunday and find more rhythm running and throwing the football.

"“You see a lot of guys that run around to the football. The two young guys on the edge [Maxx Crosby and Clelin Ferrell], they show up on tape for sure. They have motors like young guys have motors on the edge,” DiFilippo said.“So, those are two young guys that are playing well. And obviously their two corners [Daryl Worley and Trayvon Mullen] are playing well also. And so, we respect all, fear none. We just have to go in there and take care of business and do the best we can and make plays. The biggest thing for us this week is [we are] going try to come out and stay on the field.”"

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Yes, you cannot score if your offense is on the sideline. The Jaguars must keep the football and stretch the field while converting in the red zone. It sounds easy enough, but it has become a real issue for this football team – especially the past five weeks while the Jaguars have suffered five straight losses.

DeFilippo hopes to see more progress from Gardner Minshew and an ability to run the football more to keep Leonard Fournette active in the game. If Fournette can move the football, it should make things a bit easier on the rookie signal-caller and the receivers who must pick up the slack for Chark being out on Sunday.

DeFilippo remains optimistic about what he has seen from last week’s game and what has happened during practice this week.

"“I thought we stayed in third-and-manageable last week, but unfortunately, we just couldn’t convert. I thought we had a lot less third-and-longs last week,” he said. “When you look at the sheets at the end of the game and the plays that were called, there were a lot more crossed off third and two-to-threes and four-to sixes than most weeks. We just need to a little bit better job of making those plays.”"

The Jaguars could also look to find the tight end, Nick O’Leary, in the passing game. He caught the team’s only touchdown last week. His size and ability offer the team a chance to get the position involved in the offense once again.

Everything, however, will depend on Minshew and how he can move around in the pocket and make plays happen.

"“I think Gardner [Minshew II] has progressed this year very, very well. It’s tough for any rookie to come in and play, it really is, especially some of the team’s defenses that we’ve have had to play here over the course of the season,” DeFilippo explained.“I think I just want to see his continued maturation in terms of seeing his eyes in the right spot, getting the ball out on time. And then continue to make plays with his feet. I think if we see those things over the course of the next three weeks, I think from Gardner’s standpoint, I think you’ll see his development a pretty good deal.”"

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