If you like games full of twists and shocking developments, you probably enjoyed the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 3 matchup versus the Arizona Cardinals. On the other hand, Jags fans were likely pissed after watching the team implode in the second half.
The Jaguars’ defense kept the Cards’ offense in check in the first half. They forced them to punt several times and held them to seven points. It looked like they would go into halftime with a manageable 7-point deficit.
However, quarterback Trevor Lawrence connected with wide receiver DJ Chark for a 12-yard touchdown reception and Jamal Agnew returned a failed field goal attempt 109 yards for another touchdown. If that wasn’t enough, second-year running back James Robinson scored in the third quarter, giving the Jags a 19-10 lead. Alas, things quickly fell apart of the Jags, and they Arizona to come back.
The Jaguars should be angry they let this one slip off their hands. Hopefully, they will look at these three stats and work on them if they want to win their first game of the season when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4.
1. The Jacksonville Jaguars allowed three rushing touchdowns in Week 3.
You have probably heard the term “bend but don’t break”. In the NFL, it means that it doesn’t matter how many yards you allow as long as you make key stops. The Jaguars gave up just 3.0 yards per carry against the Cardinals. While this figure might look good at first, it didn’t account for much when you consider that Arizona scored three rushing touchdowns.
Quarterback Kyler Murray didn’t have a passing touchdown in Week 1 but scored on a rushing touchdown. Running back James Conner also chipped in with two trips to the end zone. The Cardinals’ commitment to the run never wavered and ended the game with 91 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Before Week 3, the Jags had just allowed two rushing touchdowns.
2. The Jacksonville Jaguars couldn’t fully stop the Cardinals’ passing game.
Cornerback Shaquill Griffin did a good job of shutting down All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, limiting him to just three receptions for 21 yards on six targets. The 2019 Pro Bowl nod says it’s the first time he travels shadows a wideout the whole game, which makes the feat even more impressive.
However, the rest of the Jaguars’ back seven wasn’t as successful at slowing down the Cardinals’ passing attack. Despite the fact that quarterback Kyler Murray didn’t score, he often found open receivers in the second half. Rookie cornerback Tyson Campbell lined up out wide and gave up five receptions on six targets for 77 yards. Also, sophomore Chris Claybrooks surrendered six completions on seven targets.
Meanwhile, Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green and Christian Kirk went over 100 yards each. While the Jags’ defense contained Arizonas’ offense in the first half of the game, they didn’t put up much resistance in the last two quarters. Tre Herndon has dealt with an MCL injury over the last few weeks but could join the starting lineup soon. His return could give the unit a boost.
On the other hand, the Jaguars just traded CJ Henderson to the Carolina Panthers. As head coach Urban Meyer recently told the media, the team’s brass felt comfortable with Campbell moving forward. It will be interesting to see how the unit fares in Week 4. After all, they were off to a solid start against the Cards but faded as the game went on.
3. The Jacksonville Jaguars gave the ball up four times.
Unless it is at the end of a game, a team can always come back from a turnover. How about two? It’s certainly more challenging but not impossible. However, anything more than that is akin to shooting yourself in the foot.
The Jaguars looked like a well-balanced early in the game. The defense made several stands, they got a score from their special teams and the offense was able to move the ball. Had they kept it that way, they might have pulled the upset but the turnovers were too much to overcome.
Tight end Jacob Hollister ensured he won’t get much playing time after dropping a catchable pass that turned into an interception. The Cardinals couldn’t seize the turnover and didn’t get any points out of it. Nevertheless, it robbed the Jags of a prime opportunity to score.
Later in the game, quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw a questionable flea-flicker. Left guard Andrew Norwell’s “whirly bird” block made things worse but the former Clemson Tiger deserves blame for the decision to attempt this one.
In the fourth quarter, Lawrence fumbled the ball, effectively killing the Jaguars’ chances of pulling a comeback. His last fumble came at the end of the game and didn’t have an impact on the game’s final score. Still, it counts on the scoreboard.