JAGS JOURNAL: Another Week, Another Loss (WEEK 11)

The Jaguars still can’t seem to put it together, and it’s looking like it’s too late to do so this season.

The team fell to 2-8 after their loss on Sunday to the Detroit Lions. They remain as the worst team in their division, and the division-leading Houston Texans could mathematically eliminate the Jags by winning just three more games.

The effort was mostly there against the Lions, but the team still came up frustratingly short. For yet another week, the blame mostly falls upon the offense.

The Jags’ defense played an impressive game, forcing nine punts from the Lions in the first half alone. They held the Lions to just 14 rushing yards for the entire game. And, while they gave up 278 yards to Lions QB Matthew Stafford, they also sacked him three times and did not allow any passing touchdowns.

The Lions’ sole offensive touchdown came on a 1-yard run by Eric Ebron.

The offense, unfortunately, did not match the defense’s effort.

Struggling QB Blake Bortles got roughed up early on in the game, coming down hard on his shoulder and elbow. He still turned in a performance on par with his season averages – 202 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs.

He also threw a pick-six for the second game in a row – the tenth of his career. That’s four more than the king of the pick-six, Blaine Gabbert.

While the running game was stagnant, Chris Ivory was productive as a receiver. He pulled in 6 receptions for 75 yards. He also lost another fumble – he’s tied for second-most fumbles in the league this year with 4, and the past two have been lost fumbles.

Special teams struggled as well, allowing a 55-yard punt return touchdown. Kicker Jason Myers missed an extra-point kick.

Despite all the shortcomings, the Jaguars had a great chance to win this game in the fourth quarter. The team got the ball down only 4 points with just under 10 minutes remaining in the game.

That possession lasted under two minutes, and featured a run for negative yards by Ivory and a 4-yard completion from Bortles to Allen Robinson.

The Lions took advantage of the tired Jags’ D, holding onto the ball for 7 minutes and getting a field goal out of it. When the Jags got the ball back, it was with 20 seconds remaining. Bortles threw a game-ending interception with 9 seconds to go.

Even when the defense plays an almost-perfect game, the Jaguars can’t seem to put together a win. At this point, Jalen Ramsey’s face at the end of the game speaks for all of us.

Stray Observations

• Jalen Ramsey has never known anything other than winning, having been spoiled by a championship-winning Florida State team. When he and his defensive teammates are playing their best, their impact is still negated by stagnant offense. It’s easy to see why he’s frustrated.
• Sen’Derrick Marks lobbied for more playing time after last Sunday’s game. He got plenty of time this week, until he was benched for committing a turnover on 4th and 2 with 2:34 remaining in the game and a chance at a comeback on the line. That’s gotta be embarrassing, Sen’Derrick.
• Gus Bradley used his challenge flag twice in the first half. It didn’t work the first time, but did the second time.
• The Jags got beat up pretty badly. Among the injuries: Aaron Colvin (concussion), T.J. Yeldon (ankle), Patrick Omameh (foot), Jared Odrick (ankle), and Blake Bortles (elbow/shoulder).

Next week: the Jaguars head to Buffalo to take on the Bills (5-5).