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Let’s answer some Jacksonville Jaguars questions ahead of our Week 4 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Today we’re talking about Josh Allen, Todd Wash’s defensive schemes, and expectations for Sunday.
Max from Jacksonville, FL
Q: How big of a concern is Josh Allen’s slow start to the season?
A: Not much? If other players along the defensive line were excelling but he wasn’t, I’d be concerned. But the entire unit is doing poorly. That’s not to say they aren’t doing some things well — run defense has been better than I thought it would be (but still not great!) and they’re getting pressures. But the lack of sacks is concerning. I’m fully convinced if this team had Yannick Ngakoue they’re at least 2-1 and maybe 3-0 with some of the pressure off of Josh Allen. But it is what it is.
Chip from Tampa, FL
Q: Will Todd Wash be our next head coach?
A: You need to shut your mouth, Chip.
Diz from Frisco, TX
Q: Why did Timmy Jernigan get waived?
A: Because Taven Bryan is a first round draft pick. In all honesty, I don’t know. Timmy Jernigan wasn’t very good but he wasn’t any worse than the guys around him. Maybe Dave Caldwell and the coaching staff see something we don’t in the other guys. They’ve earned some leash with the James Robinson move... but it’s not a very long leash.
DoctorT from Gainesville, FL
Q: That loss to the Miami Dolphins hurt worse than any loss of the last couple of years. What happens if we lose again on Sunday? Any hirings, firings, signings, releasing to be done? Or am I just being hopeful?
A: I doubt anything happens until the end of this year no matter how bad it gets because we’ve hit a low low with this defense but they still keep going back to the well regardless of how much it doesn’t work.
Shaun from Baton Rogue, LA
Q: Plenty of reasons for hope and excitement in Weeks 1 and 2. Do we give up on this team after Week 3 being one of the most frustrating games I’ve watched in the last decade or so?
A: We do not, Shaun. Gardner Minshew has a penchant for bounce back games and that Bengals defense is depleted this week. It’ll be a fun game. Bet the over.
Dylan from Mesa, AZ
Q: Should we draft defense and spend on offense this upcoming offseason or vice versa?
A: Vice versa. The offense is much better than the defense. We need talent right away on that side of the ball.
Chevin from Jacksonville, FL
Q: Pressure Joe Burrow early and often and run, run, run with James Robinson, right?
A: You’re right, Chevin. I think we can do the second. I’m nervous we can’t do the first.
Austin from Jacksonville, FL
Q: What are the things that make Todd Wash the absolute garbage defensive coordinator that he is? What specifically about his schemes make him so bad?
A: I don’t think it’s about the schemes. Todd Wash’s inability to adapt to the players he’s given is his problem. He’s still trotting out the same Gus Bradley garbage that the Seattle Seahawks moved away from years ago. Why did the Seahawks move away from it? Because they no longer had the players to execute it. Our defense is built on keeping things in front of them, pressuring the quarterback, and forcing turnovers. We play best when we have a lead, physical man cornerbacks at both outside positions, and a bench full of versatile defensive linemen who can play multiple positions. Do we have that in Jacksonville?
Jim from Kingsland, GA
Q: During the past two years, there has been a lot of discussion about the Jaguars’ problem at the two guard positions. This year very little. Have the guards truly improved?
A: They have. A.J. Cann and Andrew Norwell aren’t playing their best football, but they (along with the rest of the offensive line) are in the top half of the league. That’s good, but it’s not good enough.
Cole from Kennesaw, GA
Q: Will we be able to sack Joe Burrow at least once?
A: Yes.
Jean-Luc from Montreal, Quebec
Q: So, after two very hope-inducing first weeks showing a lot of potential, last week looked like a very harrowing look of how bad we can be. So, where does the team lie? Is Week 3 closer to what we are? Or are we closer to the team that played in the first two weeks?
A: We’re in the middle but a little closer to the first two weeks. I think we’ll look back on the season and be disappointed and hopeful because Week 3 was an aberration.
Andrew from Fayetteville, AR
Q: Has Todd Wash ever rushed more than five rushers on first or second down?
A: I’m sure he’s done it at least once, right? Right?
Nicholas from Rockville, FL
Q: Should we expect to beat the Cincinnati Bengals?
A: No. You should expect the sun to rise. Having expectations for Jaguars football is an exercise in futility that will only leave you emotionally drained.