I was at a loss on Sunday afternoon as I watched the Jaguars fall once again to the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. This was an emotional loss, one that could have been avoided. The Titans own the Jaguars on their home turf. But after thinking thins through, I took to social media to ask Jaguars fans a simple question.
Is there such a thing as a good loss?
I don’t believe in moral victories. I worry abut wins and losses. I watch trends to see if the Jaguars and other NFL teams are playing better football. And I root and cheer on the home team just like everyone else. I’m invested in what Jacksonville’s front office and coaching staff has done this offseason. I make no apologies for liking this football team.
I’ve been a fan since the city was awarded the team in 1993.
So circling around to the question, was this a good loss for Jacksonville as they try to make believers out of the national media. It’s possible the answer is, “YES”.
The Jaguars stopped Derrick Henry from running over them. Ryan Tannehill and his arm proved to be the difference. That and some miscues on special teams and two interceptions that could have been avoided. Jacksonville showed grit and promise.
And with the game heading toward a flashy finish, It looked like the comeback kids would do it again.
At 1-1 this early in the season and the Miami Dolphins on the slate for Thursday night, the confidence level of this fan base gets stronger and stronger each day. And the turnaround from Sunday to Thursday will once again test this young team’s spirit.
“Thursdays place a lot of anxiety into people as far as trying to get ready, trying to go,” head coach Doug Marrone said while meeting with the local media on Monday via Jaguars.com.
“Schematically, you still want to do the things you need to do to win the game, but a lot of times early in the year you haven’t really settled into a lot of things,” he said. “That’s where we are right now.”
This is a team that should win their next game, which would also set them up nicely with Cincinnati, Houston and Detroit to follow. A 4-2 start or even 5-1 is not out of the question. And as I write this, all I can think of is the hysteria that might come with that kind of start heading into the Bye Week.
This roster is young. The players play hard. They know no better. The cohesion is different than the past two seasons. Obviously, GM Dave Caldwell and Marrone have put a lot of belief in the players who have replaced popular veterans.
This game could be the most pivotal of the team’s season. A must win? No. A win they should win? Yes. It’s the difference in momentum and the continuation of disbelief by national writers.
“You always get a little bit of an advantage if you’re the home team,” Marrone said. “I just think it’s a little bit less anxiety for a team to be home on a Thursday.”
