Losing can take a toll on anyone. However, the Jacksonville Jaguars remain focused even though they haven’t been able to win a single game in 2021 and have lost 20 straight dating back to last season. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence told the local media after the Jags’ loss to the Titans that the team was frustrated but not desperate.
Heading into Sunday. Head coach Urban Meyer said the wins are going to eventually come, via the Jags’ official website.
"The rock’s going to break. Facts are facts about losing games, but it’s a fact [that the Jaguars have made] steady progress. This is the NFL. We have really good leadership on this team, a really good locker room on this team and they want to win in the worst way. That’s the only way to handle it."
Meyer’s tone was calm, which is a sharp contrast from his comment after the loss in Week 5, when he said the team was desperate for a team. Maybe the head coach had time to reflect. It’s possible that he’s having a better grasp of what the job entails. Regardless of the reason, the Jaguars have enough time to turn things around and will have the chance to take another step in the right direction when they face off against a Miami Dolphins team that is hurting.
The Phins will be without cornerback Xavien Howard and DeVante Parker, two of their best players. Suddenly, the game looks winnable but the Jaguars need to do these three things if they want to put an end to their losing streak.
1. The Jacksonville Jaguars must make all field goals and extra points.
The Jaguars haven’t made a field goal in five games. They’re the only team in NFL history to achieve the not-so-great milestone. Also, they missed extra points — four this season — left and right, figuratively and literally speaking.
Josh Lambo struggled in the first three games of the season but Matthew Wright didn’t fare much better in the last two weeks. The two made the trip to London, and head coach Urban Meyer says the team has already settled on one. Whoever ends up getting the nod must make all his attempts.
2. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense must play a full game of football.
The Jaguars will be without linebacker Myles Jack. The 2016 second-round pick is dealing with a back injury and didn’t make the trip to London. Cornerback Tyson Campbell and defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris are listed as questionable, so Jacksonville might be without all hands on deck Sunday. Still, they should be able to contain the Dolphins’ offense.
With DeVante Parker out for the game, rookie Jaylen Waddle will be the Phins’ top receiver in Week 6. The Alabama product is leading the team in catches with 27 but is averaging a measly 8.6 yards per reception. Even if Cambell doesn’t suit up, it looks like the Jags’ secondary will have a favorable matchup.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be returning to the lineup after missing the last four weeks with a rib injury. The Jaguars’ front seven must pressure him as often as possible. The Dolphins’ offensive line is one of the worst in the league, having allowed 16 sacks this season. This is an opportunity defensive coordinator Joe Cullen must take advantage of. Second-year edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson had a promising performance against the Titans, logging a sack, three pressures, and two tackles for a loss. He needs to play like that in Week 6.
The Jaguars have done a good job of stopping run early in the last five games. However, they eventually get gassed and allow running backs to run amuck in the second half. They must contain Myles Gaskin, who is averaging 4.9 yards per carry, all game long.
3. The Jacksonville Jaguars must feed James Robinson the Ball in Week 6.
The Jaguars are going to become Trevor Lawrence’s team sooner rather than later. The 2021 first overall pick is improving week by week he just might be the quarterback of the future the team has searched for. Then again, he’s learning the nuances of the position and may not play up to his full potential this season.
While Lawrence develops, the coaching staff must give running back James Robinson the ball. One of the Jaguars’ biggest blunders’ this season was giving the former Illinois State Redbird a combined 16 carries in the two first games. Things have changed since then and Robinson has gotten a bigger workload the last three weeks.
Since Week 3, the second-year running back has toted the rock 51 times for 315 yards and has averaged a staggering 6.18 yards per carry. It’s clear the Jags need to keep feeding him the ball even if they fall behind. Against the Titans, Robinson carried the ball 12 times in the first half but only six in the second. He didn’t need to get 20 carries but Jacksonville can’t abandon the run.
The Dolphins’ defense ranks 24th in rushing yards allowed and 22nd rushing touchdowns surrendered. Running the ball will also open things up for the Jaguars’ passing game. If Jacksonville avoids committing big mistakes, they should have their best game of the season offensively speaking.