Nothing would be greater on Sunday afternoon than a Jaguars win over their division rival Indianapolis Colts.
The last time these AFC South opponents took the field, Jacksonville played its best game of the 2019 season, winning 38-20. This season it’s different as the home team from Duuuval face their nemesis Phillip Rivers, who now leads the team. It’s a strange sight indeed as Rivers can make a case for the Hall of Fames based on his career against the Jaguars.
Here’s hoping a change of scenery means Rivers will develop amnesia, forcing him to have a poor game.
Because of changes to the roster, the oddity of the offseason program and this organization needing to win now, the first game means more this weekend. If this 53-man roster is as special as head coach Doug Marrone thinks it can be, then fans will be more than excited if the Jaguars come away with a win on Sunday.
I’m still on the fence as to how this game will play out. I also want to remain optimistic.
We have talked about how this team isn’t supposed to do much this season, which is all the more reason to pull for the Jaguars to silence critics. The passing game could be explosive. The run defense might be improved. We won’t know anything until kickoff – which now seems like a snap of a finger but still so far away.
If the Jaguars are to win this weekend, these three things must happen.
Stop the Run
My biggest hope for this weekend is the Jaguars defense proves it is better than last season and does not make Jonathan Taylor or Marlon Mack look like the second coming of Edgerrin James.
So much has been made this offseason about the Jaguars coaching staff putting together a scheme that will stop the run, which was scarce last season. Even with the lack of time on the field for preparation, the middle of the defensive line should be better.
Still, I am holding my breath.
The Jaguars, according to John Oesher of Jaguars.com, took steps to make that happen this offseason with the signing of Joe Schobert to play middle linebacker and moving Myles Jack back outside. Drafting DaVon Hamilton out of Ohio State should also impact how improved the defense should be in 2020.
“I think we have some good players,” Jaguars defensive coordinator Wash said when he met with the media on Thursday. “We’ve got them where were think they fit for us to be able to stop the run. We’ve gotten a lot bigger up front and I think that was a big part of some of our issues.”
Look for better play from both Taven Bryan and Abry Jones this week – two players who must play better in 2020.
Better Play Calling
This has a lot to do with how offensive coordinator Jay Gruden handles the passing game this week. It also has plenty to do with how quarterback Gardner Minshew works in another new offensive system.
The release of Leonard Fournette has as much to do with how Gruden will use the passing game as it does the commitment the Jaguars front office and coaching staff have in making this a pass-happy offensive experience.
In case you didn’t know, the Jaguars are now a pass-first team and will rely on the running game when needed.
And when the call is a running play, James Robinson will be the one toting the rock from the backfield.
“He’s picked up everything extremely well,” Gruden said via Jaguars.com. “He’s a great blocker and has great hands. James really has taken it to a level for a rookie free agent. He’s made us all feel very comfortable about him with his ability to do the right thing and when he does have the ball, he makes something happen.”
I don’t expect the running game to produce gaudy numbers, but there should be some balance to keep the Colts defense off guard. Also, the Jaguars must stay on the field this season and punch the ball in at the goal line and in the red zone.
Youngsters Must Step Up
There were a few surprises when the first official depth chart was released this past week. James O’Shaughnessy was listed as the starting tight end over Tyler Eifert. Robinson was given the starting job at running back. Josh Jones had an outstanding camp, making Ronnie Harrison expendable.
This roster is comprised of 12 rookies and four free agents. Youth has been served. Jacksonville has one of the youngest rosters in the NFL. There is no margin for error this season. Wins matter more than at any other time during the Dave Caldwell/Doug Marrone era.
If Marrone does not win, he won’t be back next season.
Robinson is key to a win, as is how Gruden uses wide receiver Laviska Shenault. C.J. Henderson will start at cornerback. Hamilton will get plenty of reps in the middle of the defense. Having such a young group of players is more difficult this season, especially with the lack of time in practice and on the field.
I’m also interested in seeing how pass rusher K’Lavon Chaisson is used on passing downs and if he will see some time at outside linebacker.
This is the kind of season where production from the coaching staff is just as important to the success of the Jaguars as it is from the players. Everyone has their head on a swivel. If a mandate to win is truly meant to be served this season, then both Gruden and Wash are on heat seats before this season starts.
