The Jaguars went into this game with a chance to make the playoffs. After the game, the Jaguars still have a chance, but those chances became a lot slimmer, because not only did the Jaguars lose, but just about every team the Jaguars needed to lose wound up winning. It was as if fate is telling the Jaguars and fans not to get hopes up.
My thoughts...
1. The Hurns injury was scary. You never want to see anyone sprawled out on the turf like that, especially when they get a stretcher. But the underdog made good Hurns was particuarly hard to see down there. I am thrilled the team was taking extra precautions with him and he texted he was okay. Get well, AH.
2. The story of this game is the team's inability to score TDs in the redzone. While there are many contributing factors involved with this, to me, the main cause is this team's refusal to run the ball in that area. The team has stated it wants to run the ball, so I am not sure it is unwilling to do so. In the past, the team has been unable to run the ball inside the 5, but against the Bolts, the RBs had a nice YPC, against a team that hasn't done well stopping the run. Whatever the rationale for abandoning the run, play action has effectively disappeared from the offense, especially in the red zone. Whatever the rationale for abandoning the run, the net result is a red zone offense that is one dimensional and much easier to defend.
3. Bortles deserves some blame for this. Granted, I think the team's imbalance put too much on his shoulders, but again, I think he tried doing too much, as evidenced by the two illegal forward passes inside the ten. The INT right before halftime I don't think was a matter of him trying to do too much, but it was disastrous nevertheless. It was another painful growing pain for a QB racing to maturity.
On a good note, Bortles eclipsed 20 TD passes for the year, only the 3rd Jaguars QB to do so.
4. I think Julius Thomas' critics are much quieter today. Thomas has a big day, eclipsing 100 yards for the first time this year and caught a TD. It is the kind of performance that is going to cause defenses to devote more attention to him for the rest of the year, and give Bortles more confidence in him.
5. In another post, I typed the sentiment that Jaguars fans have a justifiable respect of Phillip Rivers bordering on phobia. Yesterday, we saw why that is. Once again, without a semblance of a pass rush to slow him down, Rivers picked us apart for four (4) TDs. Gates was controlled last year, but he caught two of those TDs this year. While I don't think the coverage was as bad as it was last year when McCoy told his coordinator to call whatever he wanted because we couldn't cover them, without the ability to pressure, the end results were not much different. This is yet another game I am left to wonder how a healthy Fowler would have affected.
6. For the second week in a row, special teams actually had a pretty decent game. Greene had a decent punt return. Myers hit all of his FGs, though he missed another extra point. The kick coverage didn't give up any huge returns, and they actually blocked a late Chargers punt to keep us in the game until the last minute or so. While I am thankful for the improvement in this area of the team, I wish we had this level of play much earlier.
7. I thought Poz had a great game in run defense.
8. Nice to get a glimpse of the albino tiger. Depending upon what happens with Hurns, Lee will have a prominent role against the tacks. He nneds to show up and show out.
9. Please take any Tyson Alualu related plays out of the offense. If you want him to perform as a fullback, draft or sign a fullback.
10. Bottom line: This week was a kick in the gut for our team's playoff chances. But they aren't extinguished yet. There is still a chance for this team, but time is running out. The Texans and Colts seem to be stabilizing themselves just at the right time. We have to brush this loss off and return to winning. Beating the loathsome and detestable tacks again is the only way to start.
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!
