Moeller: Houston Game is Chance for Jaguars Get Back Confidence and a First Win
By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
After Monday night’s debacle in Buffalo, the Jaguars’ season already is at a crossroads.
Their lack of urgency missing from Week One is lingering, and head coach Doug Pederson’s seat is very warm.
The overall sense of confidence that began the season sizzled in the opening-game Miami sun.
They will enter Houston Sunday with a 0-3 record with their postseason chances being an unsafe bet. Still, until Houston shows it can be a consistent winner, the AFC South is still up for grabs. The Texans may have taken a step back after the Vikings ravaged them last week.
This week, they encountered another major blow when they learned tackling machine Foyesade Oluokun will be sidelined for an indefinite period.
Heading into Texas, linebacker Devin Lloyd also is listed as questionable as well as wide receiver Gabe Davis, and safety Darnell Savage and corner Jarrian Jones in the secondary. Evan Engram was lost with a hamstring in the home opener.
Owner Shan Khan has to be getting a bit nervous and anxious with their putrid start. Khan expects this team to be in the postseason, and has referred to them as the “most talented group of players and coaches.”
The deck appears to be stacked against them.
Jacksonville entered the season with a confident –not arrogant – stride. They sensed and felt that they could take back the AFC South from the Texans.
Before the season, the deck appeared to be stacked in their favor.
Rookie wideout and top pick Brian Thomas Jr. was slated as the team’s primary new target, and former Bill Gabe Davis would erase any memories of Calvin Pryor and Zay Jones.
Defensively, the Jags let Rayshawn Jenkins, Darious Williams, Jamal Agnew, Dawuane Smoot, and Foley Fatukasi walk away.
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead was the big free agent pickup as well as corner Ronald Darby, safety Darnell Savage, and linebacker Tevis Gibson.
Return specialist Devin Duvernay would be an upgrade over Jamal Agnew.
On the surface, there seems to be plenty of talent here, but it hasn’t surfaced overall.
Thomas has shown enough flash to be on his way to stardom with a team-high 11 catches for a 17.2 average. On the other hand, Armstead has three tackles and a sack in three games.
Overall, the Jags’ offense is averaging 13.3 points per game (30th), 160 passing yards (27th), 115 rushing (16th), and a 21.9 percent conversion rate on third down (32nd).
Defensively, the Jags’ defense is allowing 361.27 yards per game (27th), 252.33 against the pass (30th), 109.33 against the run (11th), and a 39.2. percentage rate on third down (22nd). They have zero interceptions and five sacks
Trevor Lawrence hasn’t been good, averaging 186 yards per game with a 75.1 rating, and he has been sacked 11 times.
When you look at the numbers on both sides, it isn’t pretty.
However, it can get better. They have the Colts, Bears, and Patriots ahead.
Jacksonville is looking at a must-win situation Sunday in Houston, but, more importantly, to get a sense of urgency and confidence back.
If not, a sense of urgency for some could be working in a negative fashion.
