:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4279081/127884709.jpg)
The Jacksonville Jaguars like to look at themselves in quarter chunks since the NFL season is 16 games and divisible by four. I at least assume that's the reason. Or maybe it's because there's 4 of them, like a football game. Whatever the reason, the first quarter of the season is done with and the Jaguars are sitting with a 1-3 record.
Titans 14, Jaguars 16
The first game of the season was a lot like the 2010 NFL season. The Jaguars rode Maurice Jones-Drew and gritted out a game against the Titans, their division rival. Then starting Luke McCown looked like a game manager and the Jaguars defense looked significantly improved, completely shutting down the Tennessee Titans rushing attack and making them one dimensional.
Jaguars 3, Jets 32
The meltdown game. Despite scoring 32 points, the Jaguars defense pretty much slowed down and controlled the New York Jets defense for most drives, but Luke McCown's four interceptions kept putting the Jets in scoring range. The switch to Blaine Gabbert was made and the team didn't look back.
Jaguars 10, Panthers 16
Blaine Gabbert's first start saw him hand the ball off most of the game against the Carolina Panthers and also throw his first NFL touchdown in what looked like a hurricane. I'm still surprised he was actually able to get the ball downfield to Mike Thomas. This game was one where a lot of fans seemed to snap at the coaching staff, because... well the Jaguars should have won the damn game.
Saints 23, Jaguars 10
A game that saw the Jaguars throw 42 times against the New Orleans Saints, the most since October of 2008, and just highlight how the Jaguars receiving corps is just a bunch of guys. The game also showed while the Jaguars defense may not be top 5 like their ranking heading in, but it's a very good defense. Definitively better than the atrocity that took the field last year.
So, the Jaguars sit at 1-3 after the quarter poll. It's clearly a team in transition with a rookie quarterback. The question is though, how much can they grow? They'll get a great test over the next four games.