Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans: Week 17 sack analysis

The Jacksonville Jaguars mercifully ended their 2018 NFL season on the road against the Houston Texans last weekend. They only gave up three sacks, but the offense couldn’t get a single thing going — either through the air or on the ground.

Who was responsible for each of the three sacks?

Let’s find out!

Sack #1: 3rd & 7 at JAX 28, 2:00 in 2Q

(Shotgun) B. Bortles sacked at JAX 20 for -8 yards (J. Watt). FUMBLES (J. Watt), recovered by JAX-T. Shatley at JAX 20. T. Shatley to JAX 20 for no gain (D. Cole).

All things considered, fourth-string right tackle Corey Robinson didn’t play as bad as I thought he would. I thought it would be Chernobyl to Blake Bortles’ right, but it was only bad — not nuclear implosion bad. That said, I know he’s up against J.J. Watt but he’s got to be quicker to slide over and push Watt out behind Bortles. Watt can get in trouble over-pursuing at times and be pushed into the backfield easily — but only if you can get over there quickly enough. Robinson... does not.

Fault: Corey Robinson.

Sack #2: 1st & 10 at JAX 35, 10:44 in 4Q

(Shotgun) B. Bortles sacked at JAX 33 for -2 yards (C. Watkins).

The pocket is collapsing around him, yes, but Blake Bortles has to get this ball out more quickly and not inch up towards the line of scrimmage so quickly. He could have given himself a little extra time had he stayed in the collapsing pocket.

Fault: Blake Bortles

Sack #3: 3rd & 12 at JAX 33, 10:09 in 4Q

(Shotgun) B. Bortles sacked at JAX 25 for -8 yards (sack split by W. Mercilus and J. Watt).

The Texans came with a very well designed blitz here, faking out tight end James O’Shaughnessy on the left and leaving backup left tackle Ereck Flowers out to dry. Corey Robinson and Carlos Hyde also don’t appear to be on the same page as both trip over one another and it leads to the Texans getting to Blake Bortles more quickly than they should have. It’s just a breakdown on multiple levels.

Fault: Team

Summary

How in the world did we win this game? Oh, that’s right, the defense allowed as many points as it scored on its own. It’s literally impossible to lose when your defense can do that.

Up next: The offseason!