JACKSONVILLE, Fla.: Only one NFL staff has an ideal street file this season: the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jaguars are 4-0 in true street video games and 6-0 away from EverBank Stadium in 2023, a spotless mark that features consecutive victories in opposition to Atlanta and Buffalo in London final month. With a 24-21 victory at Houston on Sunday, Jacksonville locked up its first profitable street file since 2007.
That might serve Jacksonville (8-3) nicely if it makes the postseason for the second time in as many seasons. Although touchdown the AFC’s prime seed is the purpose, happening the street wouldn’t be a priority for the franchise.
The Jaguars can’t level to any single cause for the staff’s street turnaround. Maybe it’s quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Maybe it’s the roster that coach Doug Pederson and common supervisor Trent Baalke have assembled. It’s absolutely not a fluke, particularly contemplating Jacksonville had three winless seasons and 5 one-win efforts on the street during the last dozen years.
“It’s a great group of guys,” Pederson mentioned. “When they’re together, they enjoy being around each other and I think that goes a long way to the success of any team.”
Lawrence mentioned enjoying higher on the street was a purpose the staff mentioned earlier than the season.
“We weren’t great on the road last year, especially early in the year for whatever reason,” Lawrence mentioned. “That was something we thought we needed to get better at, and maybe it is something.
“When you get out here a day early, you go to a hotel. It’s just you. You’ve got time to prepare and do all your stuff, no distractions. I think there is some merit to that.”
The Jaguars want to carry a few of that success again dwelling. They are 2-3 at EverBank, with losses to playoff contenders Kansas City, Houston and San Francisco.
They get an opportunity to even their home-field file at 3-3 after they face Cincinnati (5-6) on Monday evening.
“The deeper into the season we get and the better we play as a football, it’s really easier for me to kind of keep the guys focused and keep their attention to detail,” Pederson mentioned. “The minute you let up, look into the future a little bit, is when you get beat. It’s my job to make sure the guys stay locked in and present.”
WHAT’S WORKING
Jacksonville was 7 of 13 on third down in opposition to Houston, a 54% clip that’s the offense’s second-best exhibiting of the season. Three of these conversations got here with the Jags dealing with third-and-8 or longer, one in all their most important shortcomings in 2023.
The Jaguars entered the sport having moved the chains simply 3 times in 41 tries on third-and-8 or longer.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
Jacksonville dropped 4 passes in opposition to the Texans, together with one by Calvin Ridley on a wonderfully thrown ball at the back of the tip zone. It was the fourth cross Ridley dropped in two video games in opposition to Houston.
Ridley redeemed himself, although, by ending with 5 receptions for 89 yards, together with a landing and a 2-point dialog. Fellow receiver Christian Kirk and tight ends Evan Engram and Luke Farrell additionally dropped passes Sunday.
STOCK UP
Josh Allen had 2 1/2 sacks in opposition to Houston, giving him a career-high 12 on the season and elevating his inventory much more in a contract yr. Allen, the seventh general choose within the 2019 NFL draft, additionally handed Yannick Ngakoue (39) for second on the franchise’s all-time record with 39 1/2 profession sacks. Tony Brackens (1996-2003) holds the highest spot with 55.
STOCK DOWN
Montaric “Buster” Brown was overwhelmed in protection early and sometimes in opposition to Houston receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell. The duo mixed to catch 12 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns.
Brown was filling in for injured starter Tyson Campbell (hamstring), who has missed 4 of the staff’s final 5 video games. Jacksonville might use Campbell again earlier than dealing with two-time Pro Bowler Ja’Marr Chase on Monday.
INJURIES
The Jaguars positioned left deal with Cam Robinson on injured reserve with a left knee damage, which means he’ll miss at the very least the following 4 video games. Robinson performed simply 12 snaps at Houston earlier than getting his foot caught in a pile.
The setback means Robinson, a second-round select of Alabama in 2017, could have missed video games due to accidents in 5 of his seven NFL seasons.
KEY NUMBER
2011 — The final yr the Jaguars performed on Monday Night Football. Jacksonville misplaced 38-14 at San Diego, its seventh loss in its final 10 video games on MNF, and hasn’t landed the prime-time spot since.
NEXT STEPS
Jacksonville has an opportunity to showcase its staff and its plans for a brand new stadium on nationwide tv, a possibility during which the Jaguars hope to shine.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
