Jaguars HC Urban Meyer dismisses report of rift with coaching staff

Penalties, not performance are holding the Jaguars back.

The Jaguars’ defense has played well in recent weeks but they had a down performance in Week 11, giving up 30 points to the Niners. Spending more time on the field because the offense couldn’t score didn’t help matter but they still played a role in the loss.

Edge rusher Josh Allen has been arguable the Jaguars’ most valuable defensive player and it may be difficult to find someone that plays harder than him. Maybe as hard but not harder. Also, he should be one of the few players that did not play a role in Sunday’s loss. After the game, he talked about one reason the Jags’ struggled.

Allen said the defense was winning individual matchups but penalties are hurt their overall performance.

"I feel like if we didn’t have as many penalties or we would have momentum earlier, I feel that I could have changed the outcome of the game. But the way it happened, it is what it is. We lost bad and it’s embarrassing."

Allen also said he and his teammates must hold themselves accountable, watch film and learn from their mistakes, so they don’t repeat them.

The Jaguars shot themselves on the foot, committing eight penalties for 56 yards. Safety Rayshawn Jenkins was probably the worst of the bunch, getting flagged twice. First for a defensive holding and later for punching 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings, which got him ejected from the game.

The offense wasn’t much better and was plagued by penalties for the second straight week. This doesn’t reflect well on both the coaching staff and the players. As long as the Jaguars don’t fix this issue, they will struggle to win games.