JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars lost 23-20 to the Jets in overtime Sunday in the Meadowlands. Jacksonville missed their chance to start the season the season 3-1, something they had not done since 2007, their last season making the playoffs. Now at 2-2, here are how the Jaguars answered the four biggest questions I posed before the game:
1. Is this really a different team than past years?
This week, several Jaguars players talked about how different the feeling is around the team, saying that in past years, the team would not have performed after a loss. Instead of starting a losing streak, the Jaguars thumped the Ravens in London, 44-7.
Among those making the case was wide receiver Marqise Lee, who dropped a pass that would have set up a potential game-winning field goal in overtime. After the game he tweeted:
2. Can Blake Bortles put together back-to-back productive games?
He did not. Last week's four touchdown performance was followed up by a game that saw the Jaguars offense complete only one touchdown drive (the other touchdown was scored by the defense when Myles Jack scooped up a fumble and returned it 81 yards for the touchdown). Bortles finished 15-of-35 for 140 yards, with one touchdown on a screen to Leonard Fournette and one interception. He had a handful of balls batted down at the line of scrimmage, including his interception. Bortles isn't alone in taking blame for the loss. The offensive line took a step back this week. Three Jaguars running backs, Fournette, Chris Ivory and Corey Grant, averaged a combined 3.9 yards per carry. Not terrible, but not good enough.
3. What happens in a close game?
Give credit to the defense, when the game was close in the fourth quarter, the Jaguars needed to make some plays. Down by 10, the Jack fumble return for a score, then the A.J. Bouye interception gave the Jaguars a chance. But the offense couldn't find the end zone. After a game in London that saw offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett appear to hit on every play call, the loss to New York didn't measure up. Too many times, Leonard Fournette was left out of the game in key situations, like a third-and-one in the fourth quarter. Too many deep-drop passing plays with the offensive line struggling didn't give Bortles a chance to succeed on third down. And the most surprising thing of all was an unsportsmanlike conduct call on the usually impeccable Paul Posluszny.
4. Is this the week that Leonard Fournette breaks a long run?
Fournette's longest run of the year coming into the game was 12 yards. His longest run on Sunday was 11. He did break a long gain on a short pass, going 28 yards. Fournette was the Jaguars leading receiver on the day with four catches for 59 yards and the lone touchdown. With the Jaguars offensive line struggling, Fournette could have been a more effective weapon out of the back field in the passing game.
Next for the Jaguars, it's a road game at the Steelers--never and easy task--followed by a return to Jacksonville to face the suddenly formidable Los Angeles Rams, who are now 3-1 on the season.