Jaguars @ Texans - Halftime Speech
JT: As if JaguarsTalk was invited into the locker room to give the halftime speech
The Jaguars were off to a very good start. The defense was staunch, stingy, solid and a slew of additional alliterative adjectives (this could be one of my favorite sentences ever). Trevor Lawrence had his obligatory overthrew to Christian Kirk and ETN had his weekly routine fumble (thankfully he recovered). Once those two things occurred the Jags got their s#@t together.
To the Offense: Umm…Yeah. How about throwing it to Evan Engram some before removing the starters since he is on my fantasy team. Other than that, let me nitpick a bit. There were a couple of T-Law passes that could have been intercepted and looked a little shaky. Oh yeah and there was that ACTUAL interception that Lawrence threw, giving the Texans their first play on the Jags side of the field. It seems as though the offense was getting complacent being up 21-0. I’d appreciate it if we ironed that crap out please. It might have been 21-0 but, at that point, 70% of the game was left to play. Fortunately the often ridiculed Josh Allen pass defended an end zone pass to Rex Burkhead, thus continuing the shut out. I like how Pederson is using Marvin Jones more this game. Maybe, sort of an end of the year good bye present. Great usage of JaMycal Hasty for a TD up the middle. Is anybody still missing James Robinson? ETN broke 1000 yards rushing with his first big run play (and longest touchdown play of the Jaguars season thus far. 60+ yards). Did you see the great blocking by the Jags wide receivers to open the hole for ETN? Great job pass catchers. Travis is well over the century mark already (140+). Also, Christian Kirk broke 1000 yards on his first reception of the game. He caught one more and then went silent. After scoring two offensive touchdowns I feel the entire JAX offense went to sleep. Maybe the play calling became less aggressive, but whatever the reason. I don’t like it. Get back on the gas pedal and pile on the points to continue momentum into next week against the Titans. No more three and outs. To bring this full circle, back to the most important point, throw it to Engram please.
To the Defense: Master class. I realize it is the Texans but Josh Allen had himself a half. Tyson Campbell had his first NFL touchdown with a nice fumble scoop and score. And Cisco had an interception go right through his hands (not great, but he was in the right place to not catch the ball so I guess that’s a positive take away). In reality the defense has played really well. Posting a shut out in the first half is impressive. 21-0 at the half.
To the Special Teams: As much as it pains me to say this, because JAX shouldn't need to ever punt the ball against the Texans, Logan Cooke has continued his pleasantly perfect punting plays by pinning players down deep in their own territory. Claybrooks with a great play to keep Cooke’s punt out of the end zone by downing it on the one yard line. Riley is making extra points and Dewey is making tackles, so the special teams are living up to their name.
I know Jacksonville is winning 21-0 but it seems like they are playing in slow motion. It doesn’t feel as if the offense is clicking as it should. Not such a well oiled machine. At least not as well oiled as it needs to be to beat the Titans next week at The Bank. I fear when the Jags come back out for the third, the starters will be riding pine, relegating my fantasy team to the bench as well.
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