The Morning After: Jacksonville Jaguars news and coffee

The Jacksonville Jaguars went into Cincinnati needing a victory over the winless Bengals. One could argue this was a must-win game as the 2-4 Jaguars were looking up at the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans in the fight for the AFC South. With the Colts defeating the Texans, and the Tennessee Titans somehow holding the Chargers with an assisted late goal line stand, Jacksonville held up their end of the bargain with a 27-17 win.

The score belies Jacksonville’s dominance, not only in part to a late Andy Dalton quarterback sneak to cut the lead to 10 points, but thanks to the Gardner Minshew led offense failing to convert red zone opportunities into touchdowns. The Jaguars dominated time of possession and total yards, but also penalties. To the latter, I think we need to seriously consider evaluating what’s being called against this team. Two roughing the quarterback calls, and at least one pass interference, had no business making the stat sheet.

In the end, more good than bad moments. Four turnovers ends a long defensive drought. Rookie Josh “The Good” Allen keeps justifying his draft pick, Yannick Ngakoue is answering questions in the affirmative about whether he deserves a new contract, Taven Bryan is giving the team, and fans, a reason to believe he can at least be a serviceable element at defensive tackle, and Leonard Fournette is proving to be an off and on field leader.

There was also a “good Myles Jack” sighting.

Enjoy your coffee and breakfast links while you read what is being said around the internet.

Jaguars beat writer John Oehser answers fans questions.

JT from Fort Worth, TX

Definitely think the team goes back to Foles once he’s healthy. Minshew is holding down the fort for now, though.

Definitely think you’re correct that the Jaguars will go back to quarterback Nick Foles as the starter when he’s healthy. That can happen November 17 against Indianapolis, and Foles is expected to begin practicing Wednesday after being out since Week 1 with a broken clavicle. But rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew II has done more than “hold down the fort.”

Local journalist Hays Carlyon reviews the Jaguars first victory post-Ramsey.

The defense seemed motivated to prove it doesn’t need Ramsey to be successful. The Jaguars traded the All-Pro cornerback to the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday for three draft picks (two first-rounders), finally ending a month-long controversy that started after Ramsey publicly asked to be traded after the second game.

“It’s one of the best fronts I’ve seen in a long time,” Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor said. “With or without the guy they just traded, it’s a good defensive backs group. Those guys clamp you down.”

ESPN Jaguars beat writer Michael DiRocco thinks the Jaguars did a bit better in the red zone.

It took a while, but the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense finally get into the end zone on Sunday. In fact, it took three weeks.

The Jaguars hadn’t scored a touchdown since the third quarter of a Week 5 loss to Carolina. That was also the last time the Jaguars scored one in the red zone. Until Gardner Minshew connected with Keelan Cole on a 2-yard pass with 12:41 to play in the Jaguars’ 27-17 victory over Cincinnati, the Jaguars had failed to score a TD on six consecutive trips in the red zone.

Demetrius Harvey has five observations from Sunday’s win.

2. Leonard Fournette is proving to be the team’s most valuable player

Fournette has become one of the Jaguars’ leaders this season, even without a captain badge to show for it.

After the game, the Jaguars’ running back praised the team’s efforts over the past several weeks and indicated that when he Jaguars are working together as a team, there is plenty of fight, and definitely no quit.

John Shipley opines on what we can glean from yesterday’s victory.

5) Ronnie Harrison and Taven Bryan deserve more praise

Ronnie Harrison has been a part of three of the Jaguars’ five turnovers this season and has legitimately become a true playmaker in the Jacksonville secondary. Along with the turnovers, he has also provided an ability to stop running backs and receivers in their tracks in the middle of the field. He still has the occasional penalty mishap, but he is truly becoming a cornerstone of Jacksonville’s defense.

Jaguars dot com compiled highlights of the best plays from the 27-17 defeat of the Bengals.

Turnover. Turnover. Turnover for touchdown. Turnover. And other stuff to make you smile. HE’S GONE! SMILE!

Doug Marrone disagrees with Mr. DiRocco, and expresses concern with the team’s red zone offense.

“I thought we did a good job of moving the football. I thought we did a terrible job of scoring, you know, in the red zone.” - Doug Marrone

Our sister site, Cincy Jungle, tracked the progress of the game via Twitter. Read how Bengals fans reacted.

PAY THE YAN!!!!

You can always find me on Twitter: Brian_BCC