JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It was only a matter of time. The Jaguars offense has done absolutely nothing in the first half of their last three games. Literally, nothing. Jacksonville trailed Houston 13-0 at halftime, before eventually losing 20-7.
It’s the first time in Jaguars history that they’ve been shut out in three straight first half’s. Over that span they were outscored 57-0.
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On Jacksonville’s second offensive drive of the first half, quarterback Blake Bortles fumbled the ball away for the second time in the game. Doug Marrone decided he’d seen enough. Bortles was benched and backup quarterback Cody Kessler got his chance to breathe some life into this anemic offense.
All of Jacksonville’s offensive issues can’t be blamed on Bortles. The offensive line had issues protecting him. Their running backs averaged 2.3 yards per carry. Plus early in the game Keelan Cole had a couple of key drops on would-be third down conversions.
Blake Bortles has lost a pair of fumbles today. He has 26 games since the start of 2014 committing multiple turnovers, the most such games by any player in the NFL in that time. pic.twitter.com/FeBUZuCesL
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 21, 2018
Kessler provided an early spark for the Jaguars. He led the team on a 10-play, 47-yard drive that resulted in Jacksonville's only points in the game.
Kessler immediately provides a spark https://t.co/D92mTBOpb3
— Brian Jackson (@BrianJacksonTV) October 21, 2018
Outside of that touchdown it was a mixed bag of results for Kessler. He was sacked four times and threw an interception that bounced off the hands of running back T.J. Yeldon. Kessler finished the game completing 21-of-30 passes for 156 yards.
Of course the biggest question now is what's next? Neither Bortles or Kessler have been told they'll start during next week's game in London against the Philadelphia Eagles. Doug Marrone said right now it's an open competition, not only at quarterback but for every position on the entire roster.