Everyone keeps saying next week's game is meaningless.
The hell?
After yesterday we need to play next week with that chip on our shoulder we seem to thrive on. We need to shut down all the haters. Most of all we need to end the regular season with a win, especially over the Titans. Why on earth would we play next week like it doesn't matter? We're not done until the final whistle blows.
I didn't get to see the game, of course, but what I'm reading regarding the drama from the players has me concerned they don't quite grasp the seriousness with which they need to take their position. Guys like Poz who have been grinding it for years on this team get it, but the younger guys and those who have been on winning teams prior to coming here may not. They need to sack up and get their heads straight or they're going to fail badly.
(12-25-2017, 12:25 PM)americus 2.0 Wrote: [ -> ]Everyone keeps saying next week's game is meaningless.
The hell?
After yesterday we need to play next week with that chip on our shoulder we seem to thrive on. We need to shut down all the haters. Most of all we need to end the regular season with a win, especially over the Titans. Why on earth would we play next week like it doesn't matter? We're not done until the final whistle blows.
I didn't get to see the game, of course, but what I'm reading regarding the drama from the players has me concerned they don't quite grasp the seriousness with which they need to take their position. Guys like Poz who have been grinding it for years on this team get it, but the younger guys and those who have been on winning teams prior to coming here may not. They need to sack up and get their heads straight or they're going to fail badly.
In regard to the Jags' postseason success or failure, the game is meaningless.
However, I think it would be a major shot in the arm to the younger players (and probably the QB) if they can go into nashville and pull out a victory. Especially if they do so with a few of their banged up starters resting. That type of momentum headed into the playoffs would be beneficial IMO.
A win in week 17 would likely mean more to the fans than the players and coaches, but I'm certain the Jags organization isn't approachinging it lightly - even if they do sit a few players.
Meh , were division champs, we took care of business that it did not matter in this game. They came out flat as usual. Drafting Fournette was not a mistake so you were not right to the poster who said that so please stop thumping your chest as if you did something. This was a good loss imo, the defense has gotten to full of themselves, hopefully this bad taste will linger a little and have them ready for the playoffs and that’s what matters. Bortles is Bortles no surprise there, we’ll draft a QB, too many times Bortles reminds you why he’s criticized so much, too bad I will pulling for him. We are Division Champs and this team can only get better, a lot of pieces are in place here, we should be thrilled after a decade of suckage. Go Jags
Good ole Mom said “ If you can’t say something good about someone, then say nothing at all”, so,
Nothing at all.
What I personally learned from this game is to ignore all the talking heads, both locally and nationally in the lead up to a game. All I heard was how weak the 49ers secondary was, how we were going to “ feast “ on Beadles at right tackle, how Ngakoue was fuming over his snub of Pro Bowl selection , how Jimmy G. Hasn’t faced a defense like ours, etc., etc., etc.
Well, as it turned out, the 49ers secondary picked Bortles off 3 Times, including a pick six, Beadles was not a factor, Ngakoue ended up hurting us with a dumb personal foul, and Jimmy G. Carved up our “ world class “ secondary. Last time I put any credence in what Jeff Lageman or Tony Boselli predict.
The loss was tough as a fan but it told us some things about the team. For one, our secondary isn't as bulletproof as we thought. Had we been able to cover their receivers for an extra second, it would have given us the time to get to Garappolo. He was carving us up with quick accurate passes and receivers who were, at times, wiiide open. Secondly, even though he has improved, Blake Bortles is not the guy going forward. I wish we would have signed the QB we played against last night. Thirdly, Marrone needs to squelch that thug attitude on the field. We gave them over 30 yards of penalties in ONE DRIVE! Malik Jackson should be fined the amount of his next game day paycheck. Like Vic says. the best behavior modifier is to make them play for free. Finally, we realized that, for whatever reason, this team still cannot travel west. I don't know if it's conditioning or mental. The team was really chippy on the sidelines for some reason, but they certainly didn't look mentally and emotionally balanced. This needs some study.
Didn't think we would win the division this year. Honestly I had written off Bortles and it is on the front office/coaches to figure that out after the season. This is a step in the right direction but yeah it sure does feel like the 97 and 98 campaign with this team. One and done is a really possibility.
I really hope the locker room rallies and hunkers down and takes it out on the world without the inclusion of stupid penalties. Still a fan.
(12-25-2017, 09:40 AM)rfc17 Wrote: [ -> ]As someone who went to Vanderbilt and has followed this team since the beginning I'm used to bad football. And like to think I've developed a sort of spider sense for a bad game vs confidence crushing defeat that ruins a season. Because Ive seen a lot the latter over the decades. And I'm not feeling that. The amount of points we gave up kinda scares me. But this game reeked of a stinker from the get go. Celebrating last week like we won the super bowl, long road trip, perhaps too much confidence, a hot QB that the NFL hasn't quite figured out yet, etc... Also we seem to need a chip on our shoulder. We beat the good teams but lose to the bad ones(and don't forget lousy win over the browns). Most importantly going forward we seem to be a match up team. I'd rather us play QBs that hold the ball and look to throw down field. Quick accurate passing is something we struggle against. And Garop is obviously good at that and was a bad matchup. Our coaches need to figure out a game plan for this because we don't have a great answer.
I am a little worried about titans game cuz we have nothing to play for other than not playing Tennessee again. But I've still got hope when playoff time comes, we will be super fired up no matter who we play. And that seems to be a big deal for us.
You can make QBs hold onto the ball a little bit longer by playing aggressive on Defense in coverage. Quick accurate passes eat up zone coverage every single time.
We have the talent on Defense to be physical and play man coverage. Let these guys put their hands on receivers and jam them off their routes. That'll help take away the timing of the Offense and the QB will hold the ball an extra second longer.
Instead we just love playing a soft zone coverage and letting the receivers just plant themselves in the open area of the zone for easy completions.
We have arguably the #1 and #2 CB in the league and LBs who can run with anybody. Let them do it.
(12-25-2017, 12:24 PM)JagFanatic24 Wrote: [ -> ]Myrick and Colvin, not Mickens and Colvin.
@Bullseye
D'oh!
Thank you JF24.
(12-25-2017, 08:19 AM)Bullseye Wrote: [ -> ]2. ... Even if Bortles can, did Marrone and Hackett lose confidence in Bortles to the point they revert to early season game plans? I believe in conservative football, but if it gets to the point where other teams are saying the team has no faith in Bortles based upon the game plan, then that's a problem. I think the receiving corps without Robinson has shown enough improvement where a repeat of the early season game plans where the team did not attack deep should not happen
The Jags haven't lost this year when their first offensive play from scrimmage was a pass. In all five losses the first play was a run by Fournette.
Every great team lays eggs once in a while. It's the NFL. As bad as things seemed we still fought back and had a 2nd half lead and then almost came back with a near miracle. We all want that dominant game but that is rare to pull off week in and week out. It won't bother me what we do next week. We can use it to try new things or as a live scrimmage or just rest people or both.
(12-26-2017, 12:24 AM)MalabarJag Wrote: [ -> ] (12-25-2017, 08:19 AM)Bullseye Wrote: [ -> ]2. ... Even if Bortles can, did Marrone and Hackett lose confidence in Bortles to the point they revert to early season game plans? I believe in conservative football, but if it gets to the point where other teams are saying the team has no faith in Bortles based upon the game plan, then that's a problem. I think the receiving corps without Robinson has shown enough improvement where a repeat of the early season game plans where the team did not attack deep should not happen
The Jags haven't lost this year when their first offensive play from scrimmage was a pass. In all five losses the first play was a run by Fournette.
Taking this at face value, while fascinating, I don't think a run or pass on the first play of the game, standing alone, determines the winner or loser of a game.
(12-26-2017, 07:28 AM)Bullseye Wrote: [ -> ] (12-26-2017, 12:24 AM)MalabarJag Wrote: [ -> ]The Jags haven't lost this year when their first offensive play from scrimmage was a pass. In all five losses the first play was a run by Fournette.
Taking this at face value, while fascinating, I don't think a run or pass on the first play of the game, standing alone, determines the winner or loser of a game.
It's much more telling that Bortles has had better games when Fournette isn't in the lineup. The coaching staff clearly has a game plan for when Fournette is available and when he's not. Unfortunately the one they use when he's available is outdated as he's not the player he was for the first few games.
Building a game plan around hoping a plodding, injured running back can get four yards against a stacked box on first down is a bad plan.
(12-26-2017, 07:41 AM)SeldomRite Wrote: [ -> ] (12-26-2017, 07:28 AM)Bullseye Wrote: [ -> ]Taking this at face value, while fascinating, I don't think a run or pass on the first play of the game, standing alone, determines the winner or loser of a game.
It's much more telling that Bortles has had better games when Fournette isn't in the lineup. The coaching staff clearly has a game plan for when Fournette is available and when he's not. Unfortunately the one they use when he's available is outdated as he's not the player he was for the first few games.
Building a game plan around hoping a plodding, injured running back can get four yards against a stacked box on first down is a bad plan.
1. Is it the game plan when Fournette is available or when he is available and healthy? I remember we beat the Steelers Texans and Ravens when Fournette was healthy.
2. If you allege we can't get 4 yards a carry against a stacked box, I could agree with this sentiment. But if Fournette were still capable of getting 4 ypc consistently against a stacked box, I'm not sure if that's a bad plan. However, it is important to have balance offensively.
I want to emphasize, though, I do not refer to mere numerical balance between run and pass. While important, there has to also be appropriate balance between short, intermediate and long passes. If we have the same number of runs and passes, but all of the passes are short, we become as much of a negative offensive caricature as we would if we ran the ball non stop. At the end of the day, we'd end up running into a stacked box, and the effectiveness of the run is diminished, as well as the rest of the passing game. We have to be able to threaten downfield and give the secondary reason to respect the deep pass. That would open things up in the running game and passing game.
(12-26-2017, 07:52 AM)Bullseye Wrote: [ -> ] (12-26-2017, 07:41 AM)SeldomRite Wrote: [ -> ]It's much more telling that Bortles has had better games when Fournette isn't in the lineup. The coaching staff clearly has a game plan for when Fournette is available and when he's not. Unfortunately the one they use when he's available is outdated as he's not the player he was for the first few games.
Building a game plan around hoping a plodding, injured running back can get four yards against a stacked box on first down is a bad plan.
1. Is it the game plan when Fournette is available or when he is available and healthy? I remember we beat the Steelers Texans and Ravens when Fournette was healthy.
2. If you allege we can't get 4 yards a carry against a stacked box, I could agree with this sentiment. But if Fournette were still capable of getting 4 ypc consistently against a stacked box, I'm not sure if that's a bad plan. However, it is important to have balance offensively.
I thought my post was very clear about Fournette's condition and how that's affected the ability to execute the "Fournette is playing" version of the game plan.
Personally I think the Jaguars should run a lot more early first down play action as well as a lot more read option early in games. Essentially do to teams facing us what the 49ers did to the Jaguars early in the game, keep them off balance by not just plodding with what they think we want to do.
(12-26-2017, 07:28 AM)Bullseye Wrote: [ -> ] (12-26-2017, 12:24 AM)MalabarJag Wrote: [ -> ]The Jags haven't lost this year when their first offensive play from scrimmage was a pass. In all five losses the first play was a run by Fournette.
Taking this at face value, while fascinating, I don't think a run or pass on the first play of the game, standing alone, determines the winner or loser of a game.
Of course not, and one of those was a 75 yard TD run against the Rams. But it does hint at the confidence level the coaching staff has in the QB when you know that the opposition is going to prioritize shutting down the run on first down.
In any case, don't jinx the team by running on the first play.
(12-25-2017, 08:19 AM)Bullseye Wrote: [ -> ]First off, Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all of you. Please be safe. This divisional championship-our first since 1999 and the first ever in the AFC South-felt a lot like 1998. If you recall, the Jaguars won the division title-the team's first-due to other teams losing that week. Minus Brunell, who was injured the week before in a home game to Detroit, the team went up to Minnesota and lost 50-3 or something like that. It was great to have won the division, but to get beat like that was not good.
Here are my thoughts on the game.
1. I am unsure whether it was the news that the Titans lost, the team really has a problem playing on the West Coast, the team simply ran into a buzz saw in the 49ers or what, but to me this was clearly the worst performance by the team, top to bottom this year. Generally, it's not what you want going into the playoffs. We had a slim chance of possibly getting a bye, but I can not see Pittsburgh losing these last two regular season games, barring a slew of devastating injuries these last two weeks. Of this team's five losses, three were to teams with losing records (Jets, 49ers, and Cardinals) and at least one was to a tack team that is hovering just above .500. Hopefully, this team learns not to take any team lightly.
2. The obvious takeaway from the game is that Bortles regressed, throwing three picks and could have thrown another. I believe the pick 6 on the crossing route wasn't completely his fault, as Coles got a case of alligator arms/heard footsteps. Still, it was Bortles' responsibility to not lead Coles into that hit and throw it to mitigate the damage Coles would have taken. I am not sure if it was Blake's fault on the deep pass down the sideline where it looked as if he was trying a back shoulder fade and the receiver ran a go or what. What I do know is those three picks killed this team against the 49ers. The question now is does it kill this team going forward in the remainder of the season? First, can Bortles overcome these bad plays this bad game, or will this linger? Even if Bortles can, did Marrone and Hackett lose confidence in Bortles to the point they revert to early season game plans? I believe in conservative football, but if it gets to the point where other teams are saying the team has no faith in Bortles based upon the game plan, then that's a problem. I think the receiving corps without Robinson has shown enough improvement where a repeat of the early season game plans where the team did not attack deep should not happen
3. This was also an ugly game for the defense. Giving up all of those points to the 49ers was not good. The sideline squabble between Malik Jackson and Aaron Colvin was not good. The stupid personal foul penalties-including two in one drive-gave the 49ers offense forty five (45) additional yards on a day they certainly did not need it. While there was incentive for the Jaguars to win to keep pace with Pittsburgh and New England, from a playoff seeding standpoint, realistically, nothing was at stake. Pittsburgh and or New England losing these last two weeks was not likely. If the team will lose poise during this game where comparatively little was at stake, what will happen in the playoffs when things are do or die? I sure hope this game was a lesson in poise.
4. Somehow I knew Jeff Triplette would screw us someway. But that quick whistle on the forward progress fumble left me shaking my head in disbelief (aside from the loud string of profanities I spewed). That call hurt us, but it didn't cost the team the game. Nevertheless, does anybody have any faith that the Jaguars-not being one of the league's glamor franchises-can possibly avoid rectum wrecking calls like that if we go up against Pittsburgh or New England?
5. Special teams generally played well. Mickens and Colvin teamed up nicely on the blocked extra point and 2 point conversion to give us some momentum in the first half. Mickens came close on a couple of other attempts. Lambo's on sides kick was brilliant, especially when you remember Scobee's horrible attempt against the ravens a few years back. But Lambo's missed extra point likely doomed any comeback attempt.
6. I like Poz, but the game showed why so many are ready to replace him. How in the world does a FB get that far behind you on a wheel route to end up with a Forty four (44) yard gain? A half back or 3rd down back? I get it. I even get a TE doing that to him. But a FB?
7. Rookie Watch:
- Leonard Fournette-had minimal impact, though he had a great blitz pickup. The Seattle game aside, his production has fallen off a cliff. We will need much more from him if we are to advance in the postseason.
- Cam Robinson-had some sort of Ab injury that took him out of the game. He was dressed in his game uniform when they showed him on the sidelines a few series later. It didn't hurt us too bad during the game because the 49ers did not have a particularly good pass rusher. But the tacks are good enough rushing the passer that Robinson's absence would be felt. I hope he is okay. Ian Rapoport is saying it likely won't keep him out of the playoffs. The phrase he used is "more of an annoyance..."
- Dawaune Smoot-did not notice him at all.
- Dede Westbrook-had some nice catches, and I thought he scored on that deep pass down the left sideline.
- Blair Brown-left the game with what was thought to be a concussion, but I did not see him get hit on that play.
- Jalen Myrick-blocked that extra point, but I did not notice him much beyond that.
- Keelan Cole-statistically had a nice game, but his short arming that crossing route led to the pick 6.
- Jaydon Mickens-had mostly a quiet game
8. I sure wish we can get some healthy WRs. Jaelen Strong looked decent in his first action with us, but then he got hurt.
9. Bottom line:This game epitomizes "Pyrrhic Victory." Yes, we won the division, and considering where we've been the past few years, that is reason to cheer. But we all want more for this team, and none of us want to see this team limp to a one and done finish in the playoffs. None of us want the tacks to sweep us, much less beat us three times in a season again.
My biggest concern is that I think the team was/is losing focus. The Pats grind every week in a business like mentality. They do everything required to win each week. The Jags had kind of done that for most of the season but then they took the 49ers lightly (I think the Cardinals too with Gabbert at QB). I just hope they learn from their mistake. They were not mentally prepared for the Niners and I don't think they put in the work last week to be ready (making assumptions here of course).
Not knocking Coughlin, but it seemed his Jags teams seem to "play down" to competition. We would be so much better than another team on paper and end up losing to someone we had no business losing too. But almost always stepped up against big opponents. I hope Marrone can get these guys focused and properly prepared.
NFL officiating (especially what constitutes a catch) is the biggest joke in all of sports. "Completing the process" and "surviving the ground" are flat out stupid. I hope the NFL does away with these phrases and changes the definition of a catch to what we all know it looks like across America. If the ball is in your hand for a moment, boom, it's a catch.
Triplette also sounded like a pissy little school girl all game. Talk about no professionalism at all! If I was Goodell, that dude would have been fired mid-game.
(12-26-2017, 11:18 AM)Jest101 Wrote: [ -> ] (12-25-2017, 08:19 AM)Bullseye Wrote: [ -> ]First off, Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all of you. Please be safe. This divisional championship-our first since 1999 and the first ever in the AFC South-felt a lot like 1998. If you recall, the Jaguars won the division title-the team's first-due to other teams losing that week. Minus Brunell, who was injured the week before in a home game to Detroit, the team went up to Minnesota and lost 50-3 or something like that. It was great to have won the division, but to get beat like that was not good.
Here are my thoughts on the game.
1. I am unsure whether it was the news that the Titans lost, the team really has a problem playing on the West Coast, the team simply ran into a buzz saw in the 49ers or what, but to me this was clearly the worst performance by the team, top to bottom this year. Generally, it's not what you want going into the playoffs. We had a slim chance of possibly getting a bye, but I can not see Pittsburgh losing these last two regular season games, barring a slew of devastating injuries these last two weeks. Of this team's five losses, three were to teams with losing records (Jets, 49ers, and Cardinals) and at least one was to a tack team that is hovering just above .500. Hopefully, this team learns not to take any team lightly.
2. The obvious takeaway from the game is that Bortles regressed, throwing three picks and could have thrown another. I believe the pick 6 on the crossing route wasn't completely his fault, as Coles got a case of alligator arms/heard footsteps. Still, it was Bortles' responsibility to not lead Coles into that hit and throw it to mitigate the damage Coles would have taken. I am not sure if it was Blake's fault on the deep pass down the sideline where it looked as if he was trying a back shoulder fade and the receiver ran a go or what. What I do know is those three picks killed this team against the 49ers. The question now is does it kill this team going forward in the remainder of the season? First, can Bortles overcome these bad plays this bad game, or will this linger? Even if Bortles can, did Marrone and Hackett lose confidence in Bortles to the point they revert to early season game plans? I believe in conservative football, but if it gets to the point where other teams are saying the team has no faith in Bortles based upon the game plan, then that's a problem. I think the receiving corps without Robinson has shown enough improvement where a repeat of the early season game plans where the team did not attack deep should not happen
3. This was also an ugly game for the defense. Giving up all of those points to the 49ers was not good. The sideline squabble between Malik Jackson and Aaron Colvin was not good. The stupid personal foul penalties-including two in one drive-gave the 49ers offense forty five (45) additional yards on a day they certainly did not need it. While there was incentive for the Jaguars to win to keep pace with Pittsburgh and New England, from a playoff seeding standpoint, realistically, nothing was at stake. Pittsburgh and or New England losing these last two weeks was not likely. If the team will lose poise during this game where comparatively little was at stake, what will happen in the playoffs when things are do or die? I sure hope this game was a lesson in poise.
4. Somehow I knew Jeff Triplette would screw us someway. But that quick whistle on the forward progress fumble left me shaking my head in disbelief (aside from the loud string of profanities I spewed). That call hurt us, but it didn't cost the team the game. Nevertheless, does anybody have any faith that the Jaguars-not being one of the league's glamor franchises-can possibly avoid rectum wrecking calls like that if we go up against Pittsburgh or New England?
5. Special teams generally played well. Mickens and Colvin teamed up nicely on the blocked extra point and 2 point conversion to give us some momentum in the first half. Mickens came close on a couple of other attempts. Lambo's on sides kick was brilliant, especially when you remember Scobee's horrible attempt against the ravens a few years back. But Lambo's missed extra point likely doomed any comeback attempt.
6. I like Poz, but the game showed why so many are ready to replace him. How in the world does a FB get that far behind you on a wheel route to end up with a Forty four (44) yard gain? A half back or 3rd down back? I get it. I even get a TE doing that to him. But a FB?
7. Rookie Watch:
- Leonard Fournette-had minimal impact, though he had a great blitz pickup. The Seattle game aside, his production has fallen off a cliff. We will need much more from him if we are to advance in the postseason.
- Cam Robinson-had some sort of Ab injury that took him out of the game. He was dressed in his game uniform when they showed him on the sidelines a few series later. It didn't hurt us too bad during the game because the 49ers did not have a particularly good pass rusher. But the tacks are good enough rushing the passer that Robinson's absence would be felt. I hope he is okay. Ian Rapoport is saying it likely won't keep him out of the playoffs. The phrase he used is "more of an annoyance..."
- Dawaune Smoot-did not notice him at all.
- Dede Westbrook-had some nice catches, and I thought he scored on that deep pass down the left sideline.
- Blair Brown-left the game with what was thought to be a concussion, but I did not see him get hit on that play.
- Jalen Myrick-blocked that extra point, but I did not notice him much beyond that.
- Keelan Cole-statistically had a nice game, but his short arming that crossing route led to the pick 6.
- Jaydon Mickens-had mostly a quiet game
8. I sure wish we can get some healthy WRs. Jaelen Strong looked decent in his first action with us, but then he got hurt.
9. Bottom line:This game epitomizes "Pyrrhic Victory." Yes, we won the division, and considering where we've been the past few years, that is reason to cheer. But we all want more for this team, and none of us want to see this team limp to a one and done finish in the playoffs. None of us want the tacks to sweep us, much less beat us three times in a season again.
My biggest concern is that I think the team was/is losing focus. The Pats grind every week in a business like mentality. They do everything required to win each week. The Jags had kind of done that for most of the season but then they took the 49ers lightly (I think the Cardinals too with Gabbert at QB). I just hope they learn from their mistake. They were not mentally prepared for the Niners and I don't think they put in the work last week to be ready (making assumptions here of course).
Not knocking Coughlin, but it seemed his Jags teams seem to "play down" to competition. We would be so much better than another team on paper and end up losing to someone we had no business losing too. But almost always stepped up against big opponents. I hope Marrone can get these guys focused and properly prepared.
NFL officiating (especially what constitutes a catch) is the biggest joke in all of sports. "Completing the process" and "surviving the ground" are flat out stupid. I hope the NFL does away with these phrases and changes the definition of a catch to what we all know it looks like across America. If the ball is in your hand for a moment, boom, it's a catch.
Triplette also sounded like a pissy little school girl all game. Talk about no professionalism at all! If I was Goodell, that dude would have been fired mid-game.
I feel like you’re not watching the game. Play down to the competition? Destroyed Texans twice. Destroyed Colts twice. Beat Bengals.
Yea Jags lost to the 49ers and Cards but plays down to competition? Not true. West coast games are always tricky.
They’re not losing focus. They got beat by a hot QB and a hot team. They battled back from 16 down to lead 19-16. They battled back to 33-37. We had some bone head mistakes which will certainly be cleaned up.
Some people on here take one game as gospel but forget the other 15. If the Jags come out and smoke the Titans then what? They’re focused and good again?
They were definitely out of sorts early in the game. The infighting was upsetting, as was the defense's inability to stop the 9ers.
It's encouraging how they fought back, but they were definitely not the same yesterday.
(12-26-2017, 11:18 AM)Jest101 Wrote: [ -> ] (12-25-2017, 08:19 AM)Bullseye Wrote: [ -> ]First off, Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all of you. Please be safe. This divisional championship-our first since 1999 and the first ever in the AFC South-felt a lot like 1998. If you recall, the Jaguars won the division title-the team's first-due to other teams losing that week. Minus Brunell, who was injured the week before in a home game to Detroit, the team went up to Minnesota and lost 50-3 or something like that. It was great to have won the division, but to get beat like that was not good.
Here are my thoughts on the game.
1. I am unsure whether it was the news that the Titans lost, the team really has a problem playing on the West Coast, the team simply ran into a buzz saw in the 49ers or what, but to me this was clearly the worst performance by the team, top to bottom this year. Generally, it's not what you want going into the playoffs. We had a slim chance of possibly getting a bye, but I can not see Pittsburgh losing these last two regular season games, barring a slew of devastating injuries these last two weeks. Of this team's five losses, three were to teams with losing records (Jets, 49ers, and Cardinals) and at least one was to a tack team that is hovering just above .500. Hopefully, this team learns not to take any team lightly.
2. The obvious takeaway from the game is that Bortles regressed, throwing three picks and could have thrown another. I believe the pick 6 on the crossing route wasn't completely his fault, as Coles got a case of alligator arms/heard footsteps. Still, it was Bortles' responsibility to not lead Coles into that hit and throw it to mitigate the damage Coles would have taken. I am not sure if it was Blake's fault on the deep pass down the sideline where it looked as if he was trying a back shoulder fade and the receiver ran a go or what. What I do know is those three picks killed this team against the 49ers. The question now is does it kill this team going forward in the remainder of the season? First, can Bortles overcome these bad plays this bad game, or will this linger? Even if Bortles can, did Marrone and Hackett lose confidence in Bortles to the point they revert to early season game plans? I believe in conservative football, but if it gets to the point where other teams are saying the team has no faith in Bortles based upon the game plan, then that's a problem. I think the receiving corps without Robinson has shown enough improvement where a repeat of the early season game plans where the team did not attack deep should not happen
3. This was also an ugly game for the defense. Giving up all of those points to the 49ers was not good. The sideline squabble between Malik Jackson and Aaron Colvin was not good. The stupid personal foul penalties-including two in one drive-gave the 49ers offense forty five (45) additional yards on a day they certainly did not need it. While there was incentive for the Jaguars to win to keep pace with Pittsburgh and New England, from a playoff seeding standpoint, realistically, nothing was at stake. Pittsburgh and or New England losing these last two weeks was not likely. If the team will lose poise during this game where comparatively little was at stake, what will happen in the playoffs when things are do or die? I sure hope this game was a lesson in poise.
4. Somehow I knew Jeff Triplette would screw us someway. But that quick whistle on the forward progress fumble left me shaking my head in disbelief (aside from the loud string of profanities I spewed). That call hurt us, but it didn't cost the team the game. Nevertheless, does anybody have any faith that the Jaguars-not being one of the league's glamor franchises-can possibly avoid rectum wrecking calls like that if we go up against Pittsburgh or New England?
5. Special teams generally played well. Mickens and Colvin teamed up nicely on the blocked extra point and 2 point conversion to give us some momentum in the first half. Mickens came close on a couple of other attempts. Lambo's on sides kick was brilliant, especially when you remember Scobee's horrible attempt against the ravens a few years back. But Lambo's missed extra point likely doomed any comeback attempt.
6. I like Poz, but the game showed why so many are ready to replace him. How in the world does a FB get that far behind you on a wheel route to end up with a Forty four (44) yard gain? A half back or 3rd down back? I get it. I even get a TE doing that to him. But a FB?
7. Rookie Watch:
- Leonard Fournette-had minimal impact, though he had a great blitz pickup. The Seattle game aside, his production has fallen off a cliff. We will need much more from him if we are to advance in the postseason.
- Cam Robinson-had some sort of Ab injury that took him out of the game. He was dressed in his game uniform when they showed him on the sidelines a few series later. It didn't hurt us too bad during the game because the 49ers did not have a particularly good pass rusher. But the tacks are good enough rushing the passer that Robinson's absence would be felt. I hope he is okay. Ian Rapoport is saying it likely won't keep him out of the playoffs. The phrase he used is "more of an annoyance..."
- Dawaune Smoot-did not notice him at all.
- Dede Westbrook-had some nice catches, and I thought he scored on that deep pass down the left sideline.
- Blair Brown-left the game with what was thought to be a concussion, but I did not see him get hit on that play.
- Jalen Myrick-blocked that extra point, but I did not notice him much beyond that.
- Keelan Cole-statistically had a nice game, but his short arming that crossing route led to the pick 6.
- Jaydon Mickens-had mostly a quiet game
8. I sure wish we can get some healthy WRs. Jaelen Strong looked decent in his first action with us, but then he got hurt.
9. Bottom line:This game epitomizes "Pyrrhic Victory." Yes, we won the division, and considering where we've been the past few years, that is reason to cheer. But we all want more for this team, and none of us want to see this team limp to a one and done finish in the playoffs. None of us want the tacks to sweep us, much less beat us three times in a season again.
NFL officiating (especially what constitutes a catch) is the biggest joke in all of sports. "Completing the process" and "surviving the ground" are flat out stupid. I hope the NFL does away with these phrases and changes the definition of a catch to what we all know it looks like across America. If the ball is in your hand for a moment, boom, it's a catch.
Triplette also sounded like a pissy little school girl all game. Talk about no professionalism at all! If I was Goodell, that dude would have been fired mid-game.
To me, to whatever extent practicable, the rules should be consistent with each other.
If a runner with the football has to merely cross the plane of the goal line with control of the ball in order for it to be ruled a TD, then why should a receiver not be afforded the same luxury when he had possession of the ball with two feet down and made a football move to put the ball across the goal line and loses absolute possession of the ball when his upper body hits the ground?
It seems silly to a large degree to have one play ruled a TD because it was a running play, while the other play have it ruled a non TD because it was a pass.