Jaguars @ Jets
JT: I don’t know where to begin
For several reasons, this Jaguars/Cowboys game was a “best.” It was the best Jaguars football game that I have ever seen. The stadium was electric. I’ve never seen so many opposing fans present at any sporting event. It didn’t even seem like 50/50, it felt as though it was more 60% Dallas and 40% Jaguars in those stands. Now, I don’t blame Jags fans for selling their tickets. Some of those ticket sales would have covered entire season ticket prices. That right there is difficult to pass up. We were surrounded by Cowboys fans and they were actually a lot of fun. They were dishing it out and we were taking it for the first two and a half quarters. They were twisting the knife but in a fun back and forth kind of way. It wasn’t mean or ugly, but with a competitive spirit and with a good knowledge of football. And when the Jags finally began to come back they acknowledged Trevor Lawrence’s good play. Bottom line is that it was just an incredible experience where everyone left the stadium smiling and congratulating one another for a great game. It reminded me of the ‘99 National Championship game in New Orleans between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Florida State Seminoles. Now, I was on the losing end of that contest as a Hokie alumni, but it was such a hard fought good game that everyone was congratulating everyone else afterward. Those with a true understanding of the sport, and competition in general, can appreciate games like these and share that appreciation with one another, win or lose. That was the scene at TIAA Bank after the Jaguar’s Rayshawn Jenkins snagged a walk-off sixer for the JAX dub.
Trevor Lawrence continues to improve. Whenever we think he plays his best game, he one-ups it. Instead of “William” his first name should be “Topper” as that’s what he has consistently done for weeks. Though, evidently T-Law dropped into the 60th percentile in completion percentage against America’s team. Man, how can we even keep him around now. Might as well make some room on the practice squad for William. Nevermind the 27 of 42 for 318 yards and four touchdowns. Did you know, you probably already knew, but in the spirit of filling the page I’m going to tell you again. According to Michael DiRocco of ESPN, on T-Law's six final drives against the Cowboy’s he was 6 for 6 for 66 yards and 2 TDs on third downs. He was 6 for 9 for 44 yards and 2 TDs when pressured. Lawrence was 6 for 6 for 77 yards and a TD when blitzed, and downfield he was 5 for 10 for 130 yards and 2 TDs. That’s somewhat decent. Since week 9 (pre-Dallas) Lawrence ranks 1st in completion percentage (71.8%), first in TDs to INTs 10-0 (14-1 after the Dallas game), second in passer rating with 111.7, and 5th in passing yardage with 272.4 per game. These rankings are among 39 NFL QBs with at least two starts. That’s your quarterback. That is Trevor Lawrence. That is one of the main reasons why the Jaguars are in the running for the AFC South title this season. Zay Jones, Evan Engram, Tyson Campbell, Rayshawn Jenkins and Dougie P. are some others. Now that the Cowboys were sent back to Texas with their tail between their legs it’s time to focus on the Jets of New Jersey.
Lots of peeps are trying to make this game out to be a Trevor Lawrence versus Zack Wilson contest. The #1 draft pick versus the #2 pick. The happily married QB versus the one who cheats on his girlfriend with his mom’s best friend. Mom might want to rethink her friendships. That comparison already happened though, and the Jets won. Win or lose, Jacksonville knows where Trevor Lawrence is heading so the Jaguars will not question that they have the QB they want for today and beyond. It’s NY that isn’t sure. Hell, if not for injury to quarterback Mike White, Zack Wilson wouldn’t even be starting this game. So if we are just speaking about QB development/survival then this game is much more important to Zack Wilson. If we are talking about the level of importance to the team and the city then both of these teams have a lot to play for this Thursday night, well beyond the petty 1v2 storyline.
The Jets offense doesn’t scare me as much as the Jets defense does. Conversely, the Jacksonville offense has turned out to be the strongest of their three phases over the last six games. So what we have this Thursday night is strength against strength. The question then becomes who wins when speaking about the Jets O versus the Jags D? It gets dicey here. I think these two teams are fairly evenly matched. Zack Wilson has incredible talent and arm strength to make the difficult plays look easy, but where he has differed from great quarterbacks is that he has trouble making the easy plays. This issue will most certainly fade with time behind center, but until then can JAX take advantage of the young starter and turn errors into takeaways? If the Dallas game proved anything it is that the Jags defense can get turnovers. This is exactly where the difference in Thursday night's game will lie. Against the Cowboys the Jags lost the turnover battle. But they kept it close (Jax 3-Dallas 2). Dallas scored 10 points off of Jacksonville turnovers but JAX had their second INT when it mattered most and Rayshawn Jenkins took it home for the walk-off win. So we will call that turnover battle a draw simply because JAX’s defense was able to hold Dallas to three and out after Trevor fumbled the ball late in the fourth. Had the Jags defense not been up to the task then that turnover would have made all of the difference in the game. JaguarsTalk believes that this game will come down to a moment like that as well. Win the turnover battle and you win the game in the Meadowlands this Thursday.
Let’s focus on the better halves of both teams for this write up. New York’s defense and Jacksonville’s offense. The prize of the Jets defense is CB Sauce Gardner. He is a true shutdown corner. But he is one of one. So the question is, who does he shut down? Without a true number one wide receiver in Jacksonville, Trevor Lawrence is able to spread the ball around to many peeps (but really three main guys). Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram have become T-Laws favorite targets of late. Marvin Jones Jr. is still big play Marv. You can count on him for a couple of catches a game but inevitably they always come when they are needed the most and they usually come with points. He will be missed next year. And what are you going to do with special teams ace, Jamal Agnew when he comes in for a play or two? As Trent from Swingers would say, Agnew is money baby. Thus, I reiterate, who will Sauce shut down? Take your pick. It doesn’t matter, because the other two will thrive.
An issue may arise with the weather in this game however and that may throw a wrench in things. Let’s just say that it is supposed to rain all game long. SOMEBODY PLEASE GET TREVOR SOME GLOVES. We can’t possibly have another Eagles debacle on our hands, can we? That can’t happen twice in one year. Plus, Travis ETN has a fumbling problem and the Jaguars have yet to hire Tiki Barber to come show my man how to fix things so he can go on to have a stellar career. Heavy rains will not help an already slippery ball in the hands of Jacksonville’s RB. Alas, Dougie P. is a pass first guy so while we here think it is important to establish the run and get ETN involved early, we don’t expect JAX to do what Philly did against them in week four and run roughshod all over the place. Another issue to watch closely is that of the Jaguars left tackle position. Cam Robinson is out for the year with a meniscus injury and thus Walker Little will be stepping in on the blind side. I do not expect there to be any drop off whatsoever as Little battled hard for the starting spot this past offseason and he is a highly capable and excellent lineman.
The Jets defense, as a whole, is very good. Tackle Quinnen Williams has proven to be a solid draft pick though he is questionable heading into this week's match-up. Listen, the bottom line is that while good, New York's D is no better and might be considered worse than the Dallas Cowboys defense. For this reason I am not worried. ETN’s fumble was a Mark Sanchez butt fumble (nothing to do with Dallas’ D) Trevor’s fumble was because he was trying to do too much and didn’t secure the ball properly (that one’s on Trevor). And it can be claimed that T-Law’s INT was on Trevor as well, as the pass was right to the Dallas defender. So if the JAX offense can clean up their sloppiness, protect the ball, and get it out of Trevor’s hands quickly, as they have been, then I don’t see this Jets defense creating too much havoc. Just keep it away from Sauce. Like, don’t ever throw to the guy. Ever!
As for the Jags defense, MC needs to confuse Wilson with blitz packages and different stunts and pressures. I want to see Travon Walker AND Josh Allen with hands in the dirt rushing Wilson. We have two top notch edge rushers and we are using a 3-4 instead of putting them in a 4-3 where they would be able to destroy quarterbacks. Get your ish straight Caldwell. Now is the time. Get Arden Key in the game much more often as he has certainly earned it. And make sure Dewey is on the field with a three safety look to really throw Zack Wilson for a loop. You are free to have fun with the defensive schemes this week, Mike. Your boys have shown you where their talents lie, you just need to take full advantage of it. I feel that the Jags will get at least 5 sacks on Wilson Thursday if both Allen and Walker are in the dirt. Couple that with an interception and a strip sack and I think the Jaguars defense has themselves a day. JaguarsTalk prediction is Jaguars 34 Jets 23. IT WAS ALWAYS THE JAGS!!!
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