11-26-2017, 09:18 PM
I hope everyone had a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday. It looks as if the Jaguars ate too much this weekend. My thoughts on the game...
1. Once again, Gabbert beat us, even though this time, he was wearing a different team's uniform. Very depressing. Meanwhile, Bortles beat us again, and he's still wearing our uniform. Very depressing. In fairness, Bortles helped get us back into the game with his designed runs. But his 4th quarter INT was disastrous. Assuming we make the playoffs, we won't go very far if Bortles keeps throwing these late INTs.
2. I have been as big a Marrone supporter as anyone. But his decision to throw the ball late after running on the first down invites scrutiny. He tried to have the best of both worlds. If the team executes on second down, we get a first down with some time left, but if not, he's thinking the Cards would not have much time. Turns out they had six seconds too much time. Given the poor field position, the safer bet would have been to run the ball and try to take the game to overtime.
3. Barry Church's late INT should have been enough to redeem him for a bad game. However, given the disastrous last two offensive possessions that ended in an INT and the failure to move the ball or run out the clock, his passing game lapses come back into focus. He gave up a big catch early on to a TE when he allowed a clean release. Late on the deep TD, he apparently got lost in the play and allowed the receiver to get way behind him. Those two lapses cost us 15 points. We can't afford those kinds of mistakes if we're going to win.
4. I was very surprised and disappointed the defensive line did not get to Gabbert more than they did. Ngakoue got another sack, forced another fumble that Campbell returned for a TD, and batted another pass. But generally, the DL did not get much pressure on him, and the few times they moved him off his spot, he escaped. The DL has to return to early season form if the team is going to successfully complete its playoff run.
5. I think the refs failed to call two penalties that could have changed the game. There was an obvious hold against LB Myles Jack on a Gabbert scramble that netted the Cards a first down on a 3rd and 4, a few plays before Gabbert threw a TD. Had that hold been called, perhaps the Cards have to punt and that score never happens. I also think the refs missed a block in the back on peterson's last punt return that would have pushed them back to the 30 instead of the 40 had it been called. If the refs call that, the game likely goes to overtime.
6. All things considered, I think special teams had a good game. Lambo and Nortman had good games, and Grant's return was huge. The last punt return aside, there were no long killing returns allowed.
7. Rookie watch:
9. Speaking of offensive group failings, I don't think the receivers had a particularly good game. This is a game we really could have used Robinson and Hurns.
10. Bottom line-this is a loss that hurt. We lost the cushion we had over the tacks and are back in a tie for first (through technically they are now in the lead due to the head to head win over us earlier, and we lost it against a team that looked like we should have beaten. Furthermore, if we do win the division, this loss could conceivably end up costing us a first round bye. If there is any solace to be taken from this game, it was an out of conference loss, which is a lower tie breaker (common games) than conference games. We also are home for three straight games, and hopefully we can get well during this three game stretch.
1. Once again, Gabbert beat us, even though this time, he was wearing a different team's uniform. Very depressing. Meanwhile, Bortles beat us again, and he's still wearing our uniform. Very depressing. In fairness, Bortles helped get us back into the game with his designed runs. But his 4th quarter INT was disastrous. Assuming we make the playoffs, we won't go very far if Bortles keeps throwing these late INTs.
2. I have been as big a Marrone supporter as anyone. But his decision to throw the ball late after running on the first down invites scrutiny. He tried to have the best of both worlds. If the team executes on second down, we get a first down with some time left, but if not, he's thinking the Cards would not have much time. Turns out they had six seconds too much time. Given the poor field position, the safer bet would have been to run the ball and try to take the game to overtime.
3. Barry Church's late INT should have been enough to redeem him for a bad game. However, given the disastrous last two offensive possessions that ended in an INT and the failure to move the ball or run out the clock, his passing game lapses come back into focus. He gave up a big catch early on to a TE when he allowed a clean release. Late on the deep TD, he apparently got lost in the play and allowed the receiver to get way behind him. Those two lapses cost us 15 points. We can't afford those kinds of mistakes if we're going to win.
4. I was very surprised and disappointed the defensive line did not get to Gabbert more than they did. Ngakoue got another sack, forced another fumble that Campbell returned for a TD, and batted another pass. But generally, the DL did not get much pressure on him, and the few times they moved him off his spot, he escaped. The DL has to return to early season form if the team is going to successfully complete its playoff run.
5. I think the refs failed to call two penalties that could have changed the game. There was an obvious hold against LB Myles Jack on a Gabbert scramble that netted the Cards a first down on a 3rd and 4, a few plays before Gabbert threw a TD. Had that hold been called, perhaps the Cards have to punt and that score never happens. I also think the refs missed a block in the back on peterson's last punt return that would have pushed them back to the 30 instead of the 40 had it been called. If the refs call that, the game likely goes to overtime.
6. All things considered, I think special teams had a good game. Lambo and Nortman had good games, and Grant's return was huge. The last punt return aside, there were no long killing returns allowed.
7. Rookie watch:
- Leonard Fournette-was completely shut down.
- Cam Robinson-had his 3rd struggling game in a row. I have to ask again if he has hit the rookie wall, or are his flaws no available for all to see and exploit?
- Dawaune Smoot-did not make any plays that I noticed
- Dede Westbrook-IIRC had about 4 catches, but none of any real impact.
- Blair Brown-replaced Telvin Smith after Smith left the game with a concussion.
- Jalen Myrick-I did not notice him
- Keelan Cole-saw him have the one catch, but had no impact.
9. Speaking of offensive group failings, I don't think the receivers had a particularly good game. This is a game we really could have used Robinson and Hurns.
10. Bottom line-this is a loss that hurt. We lost the cushion we had over the tacks and are back in a tie for first (through technically they are now in the lead due to the head to head win over us earlier, and we lost it against a team that looked like we should have beaten. Furthermore, if we do win the division, this loss could conceivably end up costing us a first round bye. If there is any solace to be taken from this game, it was an out of conference loss, which is a lower tie breaker (common games) than conference games. We also are home for three straight games, and hopefully we can get well during this three game stretch.