The Jacksonville Jaguars got embarrassed on primetime TV by the Baltimore Ravens. Sure, the Jaguars are having a great season by their standards, but the Sunday Night Football game proved that the Ravens are in a different tier than the Jags.
But that doesn't mean the game wasn't winnable because it certainly was. From the get-go, the Jaguars had a chance to win and had several other opportunities all night. There were times when the offense looked good, especially early in the game, then it all just fell apart. And, it certainly didn't help that their franchise guy is now in concussion protocol.
So, what happened? I mean, we know what we saw, but what made the Jaguars get so stagnant and turn a game that was winnable and very close to one that saw the Ravens just take over? Head coach Doug Pederson got brutally honest about it all.
"We fumbled at the 20; we didn't score before the half. We missed two field goals. I think a handful of pre-snap penalties," Pederson told reporters on Monday. "To me, you put up 181 yards in the first half on a really good defense, and you do some really good things. But then we do some dumb things. To me, that's the ballgame. At least, keeping us in the game."
The Jaguars cannot get out of their own way. The biggest issue all years, especially in their losses, has been the offense. When the flags are flying before the snap, the Jaguars aren't as good as any team. However, it seems it happens to them far too often.
As for the other stuff, it definitely doesn't help when your quarterback and franchise guy fumbles the ball in the red zone. He didn't play well at all, and when the QB doesn't play well, most of the time, the entire offense doesn't. Then the Jaguars were forced to play from behind in the second half and ended up running all three-run plays in the second half.
There are a ton of things hindering this team, but it starts with exactly what Pederson said. He was brutally honest, as you could tell that he was a bit upset, and he should be. It's Week 16; these things shouldn't be happening.
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