As far as a week 16 of a up til now 2 win season goes, this has been a good week for Jaguars fans. The team fired Bradley on Monday, and we get sweet revenge on the loathsome tacks, playing the Grinch and spoiling their Christmas playoff plans. HO! HO! HO!
My thoughts...
1. When the team first hired Doug Marrone and periodically thereafter, I made repeated references to a game against Kansas City when he was the Bills coach. In that game, he had the Chiefs' defense off balance the entire game with a 3rd string QB. Only the Jeff Tuel's physical limitations kept the Bills from winning that game, as his weak arm threw some disastrous INTs, including a 100 yard pick 6. However, that game stuck in my mind for how off balance he had the Chiefs' defense the entire game. Today's game was reminiscent of that game. I think Bortles' play was attributable to his play calling. They attacked deep early, reintroducing us to Allen Robinson and mixed in some nice screen passes, and even a WR pass for a TD in the 4th quarter!!!!! That was certainly the most fun I've had watching the Jaguars this year, and one of the reasons for my advocacy for Marrone. I don't know if this two week audition will be enough to persuade Khan and Caldwell to retain him, but I hope it gives them more to consider.
2. Back to Bortles, this was easily the best game he had all year. At one point, I think he was 15/16! He had no INTs either. There were still some throws you wish he didn't make or made better, but I have few complaints about his game today.
3. Damn it was great to blow out the tacks and possibly end their playoff run!
4. I have to give kudos to the defense. It has played fairly well for most of the year, but today, they put everything together. They shut down the vaunted tack running game, shut down Mariota, and even covered the TE for most of the game! I don't think they score that first TD but for that penalty on Day. Dante Fowler had a sack and a half and was flat out dominant. This was the kind of performance I was waiting to see from him.
5. In my years watching football, it's rare to see a power back with a fumbling issue, but that certainly applies to Ivory. What in the heck is going on with him? His fumbles have KILLED us this year. He had one that led to a tack FG that almost got them back in the game and nearly had another on the screen pass.
6. It wouldn't be a Jaguars game without special teams gaffes. Myers did well with extra points for most of the year, but he missed two today. Thankfully he had plenty of opportunities to miss them today, and he had a great day kicking FGs. The penalty on Thompson was iffy-not definitively bad or good.
7. Rookie watch:
I. Jalen Ramsey-has been absolutely on fire the past two weeks. Last week he had a great game against Hopkins, netting his first INT. This week, he had several PBU and his first ever pick 6. His play this season overall and the last two weeks in particular should erase any doubt about his viability as an NFL CB. Once the pass rush improves and we start playing with more leads, he will be known among the elite CBs in the league.
II. Myles Jack-I saw that he started and I saw him in on some running plays. He did not stand out in coverage, but then I realize that Walker was quiet most of the game.
III. Yannick Ngakoue-Had a sack on a stunt, had other pressures, and drew a holding penalty against Lewan. His performance and Fowler's performance make me feel good about our ability to match up against their tackles in the years to come.
IV. Sheldon Day-Had a penalty that extended a tack drive, but followed that up later with the sack of Mariota that knocked him out of the game. Overall, I'd say he had a good game.
V. Allen-DNP
VI. Ellis-had a catch, but I'm not yet a big fan.
8. Did I mention how great it was to smack around the tacks?
9. It was great to see Allen Robinson involved in the offense in a substantive way. It was nice to see Lee's contributions, too, and it was too bad he had that one catch negated by Parnell's hands to the face penalty, but his TD pass to Bortles was sweet. If Hurns were healthy, I can only imagine this offense's potential with Marrone and Hackett and those guys healthy.
10. Bottom line: As a general rule, I prefer superior draft position over otherwise meaningless games. But considering our division rivals were not in any danger of getting a franchise QB as a result of late season losses to us, I almost want the Colts to win and Texans to lose so we can be spoiler to them next week, too. Damn it was great to smack the tacks!
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!
