It’s hard to look at the bright side for the Jacksonville Jaguars. They put to rest any hopes of a late-season resurgence in an embarrassing loss to the Tennessee Titans. Leonard Fournette was perhaps the only true bright spot for the Jags on Sunday. The third-year back had two rushing touchdowns and was active in the passing game. Unfortunately, Fournette’s success didn’t translate to success for the team. Though the game was close early, the Titans stepped on Jacksonville’s throat in the third quarter, scoring 28 points in that period alone. Make no mistake, heads should roll in Jacksonville early this week. It’s time for a coaching change in Duval.
Leonard Fournette the Lone Bright Spot for Jacksonville Jacksonville Jaguars in Decisive Loss
The Good
Fournette is having the season he needs. After a 2018 that saw Fournette struggle with injuries and attitude issues, this year is all-important for the young back. He’s having a career year. Fournette rushed for 97 yards on 24 carries with two touchdowns Sunday. That brings his 2019 rushing total to 951 yards. With five games remaining, Fournette will easily eclipse his 2017 rushing total of 1,040 yards. He also has 391 receiving yards so far this season, which is already a career-best for the young tailback. It’s too bad that Fournette’s good season is going to waste on a Jacksonville team that can’t get out of its own way.
The Bad
Let’s be honest. Sunday’s game was mostly bad for Jacksonville. Though it was close early, Tennessee slammed the door shut with a 28-point third quarter. There were frustrating plays offensively, defensively, and on special teams. The Jacksonville coaching staff is making it increasingly obvious that they aren’t able to make adjustments in-game.
The defense allowed Ryan Tannehill to look like a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback on Sunday. Tannehill finished the game 14 of 18 for 259 yards and four total touchdowns. He had a 155.8 rating Sunday and had his way with a porous Jaguars defense. There were multiple plays where the defense got good pressure on Tannehill only for him to complete a dump-off pass that went for good yardage.
The Ugly
The Jaguars offense has been almost lifeless the past three games. Nick Foles may be a better passer than Gardner Minshew, but he’s not quieting the fans that want the rookie to stay under center. Passing plays deep downfield aren’t connecting and you can’t rely on an offense that falls back on screen passes. The team isn’t likely to go back to Minshew this season, but that won’t stop a sizable portion of the fan base from clamoring for his return.
Perhaps the ugliest product from Sunday’s loss to the Titans was Derrick Henry‘s performance. The Yulee, FL native ran for 159 yards on 19 carries for two touchdowns. He put a beating on the Jags defense reminiscent of last year’s 238-yard four-touchdown game. Henry showed his power and speed on multiple plays in which he gashed the Jaguars defense on Sunday.
This is turning into an ugly, ugly season for Jacksonville. At 4-7, it looks to be a long five weeks ahead for a Jaguars team that likely will have a new front office and coaching staff next season.
