The Jacksonville Jaguars scored 21 points in the season opener. That is kind of encouraging until you realize the defense gave up 37 points. They missed tackles, and couldn’t stop the Houston Texans’ passing game. The Jags will have to work on those areas if they want to beat the Denver Broncos in Week 2.
Jaguars defensive coordinator Joe Cullen met with the local media on Thursday and talked about the team’s preparation ahead of Sunday. Cullen knows they must improve in pass coverage but emphasized the fact the team gave up less than four yards per carry against the Texans.
"Okay, we were 3.9. If you stay at 3.9 for the year, you’re going to be in the top five. The tailbacks average three yards a carry. The tailbacks, they had 37 carries. Mark Ingram, he is a powerful runner, I love Mark, I was with him in Baltimore, he averaged 3.1 per carry."
It’s true that the Jaguars held the Texans to 3.9 yards per carry but they still allowed 160 yards and two touchdowns. They also had a hard time defending the pass and gave up several big plays. More importantly, they allowed 37 points. It doesn’t matter if they give yards in chunks if they can stop their opponents from reaching the end zone but that wasn’t the case in Week 1.
Now, it’s just one week and as Cullen rightfully pointed out, overreacting after just one game won’t take the Jags anywhere, “if you’re up and down in this league, it will bury you. It’s a man’s league”. He has plenty of time to get his unit back on track.
Keep in mind that the Jaguars’ defense ranked near the cellar in most meaningful categories, and they are in the process of rebuilding. They will surely keep adding talent to both the front seven and the secondary next offseason. For the time being, they need to work on their fundamentals and play disciplined football.
The Jacksonville Jaguars need to give Andre Cisco more snaps.
Last week, Joe Cullen told the media rookie Andre Cisco and Andrew Wingard would alternate at safety. In the end, Wingard got the starting nod and most of the defensive snaps. Cisco got the field in the third quarter but the case could be made that he should have entered earlier.
Wingard missed a pair of tackles and gave up a big play. Also, he finished the game with a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 58.9. Moving forward, the Jaguars are better off rolling with Cisco. He may also give up a few big plays at first but he has a higher ceiling than Wingard. The Syracuse product showed flashes in the preseason and even posted the highest Pro Football Focus grade among rookie safeties.
Heading into the game, it’s fair to wonder if Cisco will start or if he will get more playing time at least. Cullen just said he’s getting better. Maybe he isn’t fully ready but is Wingard the better alternative? One thing is certain, the former Orangeman hasn’t had any setbacks after he underwent ACL surgery.
Head coach Urban Meyer said after Week 1 that the coaching staff has the 2021 third-round pick on a pitch count. But the fact that Wingard struggled in Week 1 should prompt them to give Cisco more snaps against the Broncos. Maybe the Jags want to wait a bit more before giving him a bigger role on defense but if Wingard struggles once again, they will have no option but to go with Cisco in Week 3.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense will have a tough matchup in Week 2.
During Thursday’s presser, Joe Cullen emphasized the fact that they need to execute regardless of who their opponent is, “it’s about us really. Denver is a really good team. They’re well-coached, they got skilled even without [wide receiver Jerry] Jeudy”.
In the end, Cullen is right. On paper, it looked like the Jaguars’ defense would have no trouble neutralizing the Texans’ offense in Week 1 but they got outplayed. If they come in as unprepared in Week 1, they will stand no chance even with Jeudy out for the game. Denver placed the 2020 first-round pick on the Injured/Reserve list after suffering a high right ankle sprain in Week 1. Still, the Broncos have enough firepower to do some serious damage when they visit the Jaguars on Sunday.
Tim Patrick could have a big role on offense and KJ Hamler will step up in Jeudy’s absence. Jacksonville’s defense will also have to account for tight end Noah Fant, who hauled in six receptions for 62 yards against the New York Giants.
During the presser, Joe Cullen praised Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who threw for two touchdowns. The 2014 first-round pick isn’t as mobile as Tyrod Taylor but can also extend plays. He added that the team needs to contain him and make plays.
"He had a great game last week versus the Giants. Extended plays, he can extend plays. He may be not as nifty as Tyrod [Taylor], flat-out speed, but he can extend plays. We got to keep them bottled up in the pocket, change up on him, and then make the plays on the ball."
As Cullen said, it’s too early to panic, and beating the Broncos would ensure the Jaguars are 1-1, which is definitely better than being 0-2 going into Week 3. It won’t be easy as they are currently a 6.0-point underdog. But if Jacksonville cleans up their mistakes, they will have a shot at pulling the upset.