Even though the Jacksonville Jaguars didn’t have much much to play for in Week 16, they showed they aren’t throwing the towel just yet and came close to beating the New York Jets. Ultimately, they lost 26-21 but they played until the last minute. They couldn’t finish the job but nobody that watched them play can accuse them of giving up. Moral victories don’t account for much in the NFL but it’s clear this is a tight-knit group that will play for each other.
Sure, the Jags were facing a Jets team that was depleted due to a COVID-19 outbreak but they were also without players such as Laviska Shenault Jr., edge rusher Josh Allen and linebacker Myles Jack, so you could argue that this was a relatively even matchup.
Cornerback Shaquill Griffin talked to the media after the game and had an objective assessment of his team performance. While he liked that they played a clean game, he is also aware it wasn’t still clean enough and there are several issues they need to work on.
Griffin is right, there were signs of encouragement — committing just two penalties — but they also have their work cut out — allowing over 200 yards on the ground. While losing running back James Robinson to a torn Achilles is a big blow to the offense, the Jags will need to regroup and prepare to take on the New England Patriots in Week 17. With that in mind, here are three studs and three duds from the Jaguars’ Week 16 loss to the Jets.
Here are 3 Jaguars that shined in Week 16 against the Jets.
1. Andre Cisco, safety.
It took an injury to starter safety Rayshawn Jenkins to give Andre Cisco a chance to showcase what he can do on the football field. The rookie out of Syracuse wasted no time and almost came away with an interception early in the Jets’ first possession of the game. Later in the same drive, he blocked a punt.
Looking back it’s kind of puzzling that Cisco didn’t start sooner. His 82.7 Pro Football Focus grade was the third-highest among Jaguasr defenders in the game. The 2021 third-round picks will have two more games to make the case he needs to remain in the starting lineup next season.
2. Will Richardson, offensive tackle.
Offensive lineman Will Richardson started at right guard in place of Ben Bartch, who landed on the COVID-19 list a couple of days before the game. He didn’t allow a single pressure in Week 16, according to PFF. Moreover, he was responsible for the Jags’ first touchdown of the game.
Trevor Lawrence lost the ball on a carry near the Jets goal. The refs didn’t whistle the play dead and Richardson recovered the ball in New York’s end zone. He hasn’t played much this year, so he must’ve been thrilled he was able to make a play when he did.
3. Trevor Lawrence, quarterback.
Trevor Lawrence had time to throw the ball for most of the game and he completed 66 percent of his passes for 280. Moreover, he averaged a healthy 7.18 yards per attempt. He missed a few throws but he made others that his wide receivers should have made. He fumbled the ball near the Jets goal line but avoid making costly mistakes.
Here are 3 duds from the Jaguars’ loss to the Jets in Week 16.
1. Andrew Wingard, safety.
Safety Andrew Wingard has missed several tackles throughout the season and Week 16 was no exception. He missed two tackles, one of them during Zach Wilson’s ridiculous 52-yard touchdown run.
Wingard wasn’t the only Jaguars’ defender that struggled against the run. The Jets amassed 273 rushing yards and there are other players that could have stopped Wilson but when he needed to make a play, he didn’t.
2. Laquon Treadwell, wide receiver.
Wide receiver Laquon Treadwell hauled in four receptions for 54 yards against the Jets. However, he also couldn’t come down with a 55-yard grab late in the first quarter that would have given the Jaguars a touchdown.
Treadwell made up for it not long after with a 20-yards reception on fourth-and-1 to move the chains. The Jags ended up scoring in that drive but he should still have made the catch early.
3. K’Lavon Chaisson, outside linebacker.
The Jaguars’ coaching staff switched K’Lavon Chaisson from defensive end to outside linebacker this offseason but the move hasn’t paid off. Although the former LSU Tiger has more tackles than last year, he hasn’t made many big plays in 2021.
Against the Jets, Chaisson seemed to have slowed down while pursuing Zach Wilson during his beast-mode run. He lasted exited the game with an ankle injury. All in all, he posted two total tackles and a subpar Pro Football Focus grade of 38.7. The team’s brass needs to evaluate his performance in the offseason and try to figure out what’s holding him back.