Big Cat Country - Jaguars vs. Chiefs: The beginning of the endStand United, Duval Til We Diehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47383/bigcatcountry_fave.png2016-11-13T07:50:27-05:00http://www.bigcatcountry.com/rss/stream/132582632016-11-13T07:50:27-05:002016-11-13T07:50:27-05:00Jaguars vs. Texans: Week 10 TV viewing map on CBS
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<p id="ZwS2nN">The Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans face off in Week 10 of the 2016 NFL season and the game is even more limited than what it has been in recent weeks. (You’re learning, CBS local affiliates.)</p>
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<p id="Hmhrkr">This game is being shown in most of Texas, parts of Northest Florida, and throughout South Georgia. And that’s it. The yellow is the Jaguars vs. Texans game, the red is Broncos vs. Saints, the green is Chiefs vs. Panthers, and blue is Dolphins vs. Chargers.</p>
<p id="KCCTyM">The announcing for the game will be handled by Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon.</p>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2016/11/13/13613400/jacksonville-jaguars-vs-houston-texans-week-10-tv-viewing-map-on-cbsRyan Day2016-11-09T13:22:45-05:002016-11-09T13:22:45-05:00Who was at fault for each sack in Week 9?
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<figcaption>Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Jaguars allowed just two sacks against a pretty good Chiefs front seven.</p> <p id="jOAqjb">The Jacksonville Jaguars played tight against the Kansas City Chiefs and the box score looked encouraging -- you go on the road in one of the toughest places to play and hold a 5-2 team to just a 19-14 win.</p>
<p id="I5OiRz">Until you see that the Chiefs were playing backup quarterback Nick Foles, third-string running back Charcanderick West, a host of backup defenders, and a backup offensive lineman or two. Oh, and Jeremy Maclin didn’t play and Travis Kelce was thrown out of the game in the third quarter.</p>
<p id="bd1wax">Yay!</p>
<p id="lZOiyw">But if we’re pointing fingers at who was responsible for the loss, it’s hard to blame the offensive line. They only allowed four pressures in addition to the two sacks on 47 passing plays called (41 drop backs and six times Bortles tucked it and ran). They also cleared the way for 205 yards on the ground and a 6.4 yards-per-carry average.</p>
<p id="ydC9jQ">So who was responsible for each of the two sacks against the Chiefs? Let’s find out.</p>
<h3 id="OYm1kk">Sack #1: 1st-and-10 at KC 34, 0:50 left in 2Q</h3>
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<p id="BcYtet">Jermey Parnell got caught looking as Dee Ford makes a great move inside and forces Blake Bortles to stop his progressions.</p>
<p id="l3riqH"><em><strong>Verdict: Jermey Parnell</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="n2Rcck">Sack #2: 2nd-and-10 at JAX 26, 11:11 left in 3Q</h3>
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<p id="uaeACI">Jesus lmao.</p>
<p id="c9XZd4">Verdict: Jermey Parnell</p>
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<h3>2016 sack totals</h3>
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<td><b>Name</b></td>
<td><b>Sacks Allowed</b></td>
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<td>Jermey Parnell</td>
<td>5.0</td>
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<td>Kelvin Beachum</td>
<td>3.5</td>
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<td>A.J. Cann</td>
<td>2.0</td>
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</tr>
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<td>Blake Bortles</td>
<td>2.0</td>
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<td>Luke Joeckel</td>
<td>2.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tyler Shatley</td>
<td>1.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Neal Sterling</td>
<td>1.0</td>
</tr>
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<td>Julius Thomas</td>
<td>1.0</td>
</tr>
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<td>Denard Robinson</td>
<td>0.5</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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<p> </p>
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<p id="1atKuT">Up next: Houston!</p>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2016/11/9/13575732/jaguars-vs-chiefs-who-was-at-fault-for-each-sack-in-week-9Ryan Day2016-11-08T09:00:05-05:002016-11-08T09:00:05-05:00Jaguars running game showed grit and juice
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<figcaption>Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon? More like Walter Payton and Barry Sanders. </p> <p id="5vbwQb">The Jacksonville Jaguars took on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, in a game that they ALMOST won, if only they hadn't been totally screwed over by the idiotic referees. The Jaguars gave a full and complete effort, one that was deserving of a win, but sometimes there are just times in life when you don’t get a W on the scoreboard. The Jaguars took home the moral victory though, as their running game completely exploded, providing the offense with a heart-pounding pulse that couldn’t be stopped. </p>
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<p id="cJhKso">Grit. Juice. Determination. Heart. Soul. These are just a few of the myriad of words that could be used to describe the Jaguars running game yesterday. The Jaguars used the ground game with such effectiveness that they ended up tallying over 200 rushing yards on the day. Man, they just couldn’t be stopped! T.J. Yeldon would slice and dice through the Chiefs defense, and then they would follow that up with a healthy serving of smash mouth Chris Ivory. The Chiefs are probably considering changing their team colors to black and blue after that beating. </p>
<p id="NacImo">In all honesty, if Gus Bradley wasn’t such an important role model and all-around amazing guy, I would be arguing for the Jaguars to promote Nathaniel Hackett to head coach right now. Maybe they could tag-team it? That would be awesome, because then everyone would win. It would also allow them to bring back Greg Olson as co-offensive coordinator, so then nobody would be without work. But anyways, I digress. Nathaniel Hackett might be the second coming of Vince Lombardi. His offensive gameplan was so effective that I wasn’t sure if I was watching the 2016 Jaguars, or the 2007 team with Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. This was probably the second-most impressive outing the Jaguars have had running the ball in the franchise’s existence, only a smidgeon behind the 375 yards they put up against the Colts.</p>
<p id="p9yU2y">I’m sure Mike Mularkey is losing sleep right now in Tennessee. He tried to call dibs on exotic smash mouth football this year, but just like Danny Ocean, Gus Bradley came along and stole it on Sunday. Let me put it this way: the Titans are damn lucky that the Jaguars were blinded by those awesome gold uniforms they had to wear on Thursday Night Football, otherwise we would’ve put them in the camel clutch right then and there. They’re probably quivering with fear thinking about having to face this Jacksonville team again later this year, as it will expose them as frauds, and show the world that nobody runs the football like the boys from DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUVAL! </p>
<p id="jqD3Jp">This is just a rumor that I am working to confirm, but I heard that the Jaguars running game tore up the field so much that the Chiefs couldn’t even bring out their horse to celebrate after the game. I guess they had fear that it would step in a Chris Ivory foot-sized hole and injure its leg. Yeah, I guess the refs TECHNICALLY handed the Chiefs the win on the scoreboard, but they couldn’t even properly celebrate. How demoralizing! Don’t feel too bad for the horse, though. Gus Bradley went up to it after the game, and after a thorough brush down and pep talk, he fed it some sugar cubes to make it feel better. </p>
<p id="o2iZlx">Here’s the best part about what the Jaguars were able to do with the running game yesterday: did you see the Jaguars players on the sidelines? There were smiles, laughs, and high-fives. And I’m pretty sure I even saw Doug Marrone shotgun a Bud Light in one of those awesome Jaguars themed cans (Khans?) and then do a cartwheel in exuberance, due to his offensive line blocking the daylights out of the Chiefs defense. This is EXACTLY what the doctor ordered when it came to Jacksonville turning their season around, which is totally going to happen. </p>
<p id="kyxMiJ">Yeah, they may be 2-6 right now, but with eight games left to play, is there really anyone other than that hater Jason La Canfora who doesn’t think they will win out? Hello, playoffs!</p>
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https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2016/11/8/13557050/while-running-for-over-200-yards-jaguars-show-grit-and-juiceMatt R Hoffman2016-11-08T08:49:45-05:002016-11-08T08:49:45-05:00Jaguars Daily: "This team did not flinch"
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<figcaption>Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Gus Bradley saw some good against the Chiefs... as he should have.</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.jaguars.com/news/article-JaguarsNews/Day-after-The-team-did-not-flinch/dc11d886-e99b-4439-83f2-41b798392bd7">Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley: "This team did not flinch" against Kansas City Chiefs - Jaguars.com</a><br>A day later, Gus Bradley found a few things to like. That didn’t mean the Jaguars’ head coach changed his overall assessment of a turnover-plagued loss to the Chiefs Sunday. He reiterated on Monday what he had said Sunday – that the Jaguars didn’t go to Kansas City to "collect positives." But Bradley said he did like the team’s effort, particularly compared to a one-sided loss to the Titans in Nashville, Tennessee, 10 days before.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2016/11/7/13540058/jaguars-vs-chiefs-nathaniel-hackett-impresses-in-first-game-as-offensive-coordinator" target="_blank">Nathaniel Hackett was impressive in his debut as offensive coordinator - BigCatCountry.com</a><br>The Jaguars offense has it’s woes, but new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett did a great job calling the plays.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.guysgirl.com/podcast/guysgirl-show/penguin-love-triangles-sullyfootball">Blythe Brumleve and @SullyFootball discuss the Jaguars vs. Chiefs game - GuysGirl.com</a><br>Happy to be joined this week by one of my favorite follows on Twitter, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/sullyfootball" target="_blank">@SullyFootball</a>. We dive into what both the Chiefs and Jaguars expectations should be for the rest of the season after the two teams faced off on Sunday. Plus what does the NFL playoff picture look like outside of the Cowboys and Patriots?</p>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2016/11/8/13561632/jacksonville-jaguars-daily-this-team-did-not-flinch-against-chiefsRyan Day2016-11-07T15:04:55-05:002016-11-07T15:04:55-05:00Chiefs treated Jaguars like a preseason opponent
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<figcaption>Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="djsHBO">The Jacksonville Jaguars lost a close game on Sunday to the Kansas City Chiefs, going down 19-14. It was a game that appeared to be on the verge of another snowball blowout, but the Jaguars righted the ship and ended up being in position to go down the field at the end of the game and win with a touchdown, but they once again fell short and moved to 2-6 on the season. One of the biggest takeaways from the game I saw from fans outside of the Chris Ivory fumble situation, was how well the defense played.</p>
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<p id="JXc4Zb">The Jaguars defense stifled the Chiefs offense most of the day, with the Chiefs scores coming off of turnovers setting them up in striking distance. The Chiefs were just 1-for-14 on third downs (7 percent) and had just 231 total yards. The Chiefs rushing attack was non-existent with just 2.8 yards per carry, but there is kind of a catch to the Jaguars stellar defensive performance.</p>
<p id="yWAik4">It was against primarily backups for the Chiefs.</p>
<p id="4sE5RZ">The Chiefs treated the Jaguars game essentially like it was a preseason game, resting players that could have played, because they didn’t think they needed them to beat Jacksonville and they were right.</p>
<p id="OH7WmH">The Chiefs offense was without their starting quarterback, their starting running back, their primary back up running back, without Jeremy Maclin for 95 percent of the game and without Travis Kelce for nearly half the game and this isn’t even bringing up the players missing on defense. The Chiefs offense was severely handicapped and they got dominated by an OK defense, which is exactly what should happen when a team is missing that many pieces of their offense.</p>
<p id="jKxYgO">I know people think I enjoy throwing wet blankets on stuff like this, but I can’t take turning losses into moral victories anymore. Shutting down an offense that is massing that many pieces isn’t something to pat yourself on the back over, it’s something that is to be expected. It’s like the whole “at least we’re not the Browns” thing people do. That is not something to brag about.</p>
<p id="7djpNQ">The Jaguars defense is much improved overall this season, as they added a lot more speed and athleticism to it, but there is still a ways to go. Sunday’s performance doesn’t really tell you much of anything about the Jaguars defense outside of they’re beyond defecating themselves. Well, maybe, because they did that against the Titans.</p>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2016/11/7/13554942/chiefs-vs-jaguars-results-rested-players-defenseAlfie Crow2016-11-07T10:33:19-05:002016-11-07T10:33:19-05:00Why replay got the Chris Ivory fumble right
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<figcaption>Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="hyS3Mr">The Jacksonville Jaguars left Missouri with another loss on Sunday, this time to the Kansas City Chiefs thanks to multiple turnovers. In all honesty, the Jaguars were lucky the Chiefs were missing more than a handful of their top players, or it might have snowballed out of their favor way more than it did on Sunday. One turnover in particular fueled most of the conversation and has already been the focus Monday morning along talk radio. The Chris Ivory fumble into the endzone that fans are convinced was a touchdown, but was ruled and upheld as a fumble with a Chiefs recovery. While I agree it was probably a touchdown, the NFL replay officials actually ruled correctly on the play.</p>
<p id="iQQHo8">Technically.</p>
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<p id="b8st1P">The ruling for the play on the field was a fumble and in real time it appeared that’s what it was. The big question was if Ivory had broken the plane of the goal line before losing control of the ball. From the full speed replays, you couldn’t really tell. The booth came back with a ruling of the call on the field stood, so instead of six points for the Jaguars, it was another takeaway for the Chiefs. That missed score ended up being huge later on, as the Jaguars ended up losing by five.</p>
<p id="USm5Fb">As I mentioned however, the replay official by rule, ruled correctly. The call on the field should have stood, which was a fumble, because there was not clear and obvious evidence that Ivory didn’t lose possession prior to crossing the goal line. Now, before you post the still image of Ivory with the ball over the goal line to proclaim that I’m an idiot and the officials are wrong, that image is irrelevant and doesn’t actually prove he had control prior to crossing the plane. If you watch the play from the angle of that screenshot frame by frame; the frame prior you can see the ball, then it appears to be in his hand, then the very next frame it’s out. You cannot see, with certainty, that the ball isn’t moving, which is ultimately why the call was upheld. They needed clear obvious evidence otherwise, and despite what the freeze frame shows, they didn’t have it.</p>
<p id="xHPKWX">The game announcers, who were awful throughout the game by the way, didn’t help matters by erroneously stating that replay officials cannot use freeze frame to reverse a call. That is 100 percent incorrect, as they can and often do for things like checking if a player was down or in-bounds. For this particular play, the freeze frame was irrelevant and it wouldn’t have been useful to change the ruling. They had to confirm that Ivory had control of the ball prior to crossing the plane and with all the video angles provided, you couldn’t. Had this play been ruled a touchdown and gone to review, it would have stayed a touchdown, because again you cannot see what happened prior to breaking the plane.</p>
<p id="vAdA54">Yes, I think it should have been a touchdown, but by rule the replay official got it correct.</p>
<p id="jtU0v5">Also, maybe don’t fumble?</p>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2016/11/7/13550892/chris-ivory-fumble-replay-overturned-jaguars-touchdownAlfie Crow2016-11-07T08:53:27-05:002016-11-07T08:53:27-05:00What do you want us to be positive about?
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<figcaption>Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>As a longtime reader of Big Cat Country, and now a writer, there has always been something that has bothered me to the core. On almost any article, Facebook comment section, or on Twitter, there is one constant: someone complaining that the writers at Big Cat Country are not positive enough covering the <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jacksonville Jaguars</a>... that we aren't "real fans" because we constantly criticize the Jaguars, especially as of late.</p>
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<p>Here's the thing, I would love to be all positive about the franchise. This franchise was my first love. Even as a kid growing up in Maryland, I was mesmerized by the days of <span>Mark Brunell</span>, <span>Fred Taylor</span>, <span>Jimmy Smith</span>, and <span>Keenan McCardell</span>.</p>
<p>I catch myself a lot of the times going back and watching the 2008 Wild Card game vs the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>. It represents the last time the Jaguars were even close to contention. The last statement game the Jaguars have had on a national stage.</p>
<p>Eight seasons later, the Jaguars haven't been able to recapture that magic. In fact, they have arguably been the worst franchise in the league since that game.</p>
<p>We as fans all want them to succeed. We want playoff games. Heck, we want meaningful games past November.</p>
<p>The thing is, the Jaguars haven't given us anything close to that. It has been the opposite in fact, as the Jaguars have had eight straight top 10 picks, and five straight top 5 picks.</p>
<p>As of right now the Jaguars sit at 2-6, and it appears to be another lost season. Another season on track for another top 5 pick. Another season of rebuilding. Another season of excuse making.</p>
<p>As of right now, you could make a case there are only three teams worse than the Jaguars right now. The <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Browns</a>, <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bears</a>, and <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">49ers</a>. After that, can anyone truly believe there are anymore teams the Jaguars have been better then to this point in the season?</p>
<p>This truth hurts. This truth blows. It sucks because this wasn't suppose to happen this year. This was suppose to be the year that they made the leap. Bortles and the offense was going to grow and become more explosive. The free agents would make huge impacts. The Jaguars would have a shot at the division in a weak AFC South.</p>
<p>Yet, the team sits at 2-6, and it feels no different that the last couple of years. Gus Bradley, the man who was suppose to change the culture and turn this team around, has the worst winning percentage ever for a coach that has coached over 50 games, sitting at 14-42 (.250). There are rumors of the new free agents and rookies not respecting his culture and authority, and that he has lost some of the locker room.</p>
<p>The teams supposed franchise quarterback has taken a major dip this year, and has not only local media, but national media questioning if he is the right guy. An "unnamed player" told Josina Anderson that he wasn't the right quarterback for this team.</p>
<p>Their best player from last year, <span>Allen Robinson</span>, has taken a step back as well. He called out the fans in a way many didn't appreciate, and has dropped numerous passes this season. Plus, his non effort on a ball thrown his way this Sunday vs the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chiefs</a> doesn't help his cause either.</p>
<p>The offensive line, in which the Jaguars have invested in (signing Kelvin Beachum and Jermey Parnell and drafting A.J. Cann, Brandon Linder, and Luke Joeckel) has yet to mesh as a unit, and struggles mightily in the run game.</p>
<p>Speaking of the run game, the Jaguars are one of the worst in the league, and until the Chiefs game, the run game had been pretty much nonexistent.</p>
<p>The Jaguars, halfway through the season, are basically out of the playoff race. They have questions about their franchise quarterback, and many people, not just writers here, think Gus Bradley is one of the worst coaches in the league. Yet, people expect us to act like it is all sunshine and roses for the franchise.</p>
<p>Hell, the Jaguars probably get off easier than most teams. I can't imagine in another market going 14-42, and people still demanding for people to be more positive. I can't imagine in another market, going 2-6 in the fourth year of a regime, and people demanding positivity.</p>
<p>Sure, there are little things to be positive about. <span>Jalen Ramsey</span> and <span>Yannick Ngakoue</span> look excellent as rookies. The defense has played much better. Heck, even Jason Meyers has had a good year. All of this can be true, yet we can still be critical of the team.</p>
<p>Being a fan doesn't mean blindly agreeing with every move the team makes. It doesn't mean anyone needs to make excuses for poor performances. It is ok to demand more. It is ok to demand a better product. It is ok to demand wins.</p>
<p>I like Gus Bradley. I thought he was a good hire at the time, and I liked the energy he brought. The first two years I was fully on board, because I thought they were trying to make chicken salad out of chicken you know what. But over the last year and half, it has become abundantly clear that Bradley isn't the right guy for the job. Is it 100 percent his fault? Probably not. Dave Caldwell has whiffed on draft picks and free agents. He has also hit on some too.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, the Jaguars are no where close enough where they need to be in the 4th year of this regime. The NFL is a bottom line business. Wins matter. It shouldn't take this long to even get close to competency. And don't give me the "It takes x amount of years to truly rebuild". The <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Titans</a>, two years removed from a 2-14 season sit at 4-5 right now this year. You may say, 4-5, who cares right? When is the last time the Jags had 4 wins 8 games into the season like the Titans did this year? Oh, and guess what. They are doing it with a coach that most here think is a joke in Mike Mularkey. Yet, Mularkey has already gotten more out of Tennessee then Bradley has gotten out of the Jags.</p>
<p>We criticize because we care. We criticize because we believe this team is better than their 2-6 record. We criticize because we want more from this team. We criticize because we see the potential. The potential the national media portrayed on the Jags all offseason.</p>
<p>Before the season, many were predicting 8-8, and 9-7 records. Three or four win jumps. Yet, when it looks like they will fall mightily short of that, we are suppose to be positive about the outcome?</p>
<p>So tell me, what are we suppose to be positive about? Are we suppose to be positive about getting demolished by the Titans on national TV? Are we supposed to be positive about almost beating the Chiefs JV squad? What is it that some of you guys expect?</p>
<p>I want the Jags to succeed. Trust me, it would be way more fun covering a team that was 5-3 right now, then a team that is 2-6, and fighting for another top 5 pick. I'm tired of looking forward to next year. I'm tired of looking at mock drafts by midseason. I can't wait to not give a damn about the draft until February.</p>
<p>The bottom line is, the Jaguars are not good right now. They have the 4th worst record in the league. If the saying that you are what your record says you are is true, then there is nothing to celebrate.</p>
<p>So the next time you think that we are just some negative Nancy's who hate everything about the Jaguars , think to yourself, what are the things to be positive about?</p>
<p>And think about the 31 other teams, and the reasons they have to be positive. Maybe you'll realize, almost every team has it better than the Jaguars right now. That is a hard pill to swallow, especially for the homers. But I'd like to see any argument why it isn't true.</p>
<p>It is simple. If the Jaguars give us a reason to be positive, we will be. As of right now, there aren't many reasons to be positive. The most important part is, it is ok to admit that.</p>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2016/11/7/13548342/what-are-we-supposed-to-be-positive-aboutJimmy Siettmann2016-11-06T17:58:33-05:002016-11-06T17:58:33-05:007 observations from the Jaguars 19-14 loss to the Chiefs
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<p>The Jaguars may have played better than the Chiefs today, but they weren't the better team, and they definitely didn't play like the more disciplined team.</p> <h4><b>1. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jaguars</a> gifted the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Chiefs</a> this game</b></h4>
<p>The Jaguars may have played better than the Chiefs today, but they weren't the better team, and they definitely didn't play like the more disciplined team. They seem to find new ways to lose every week, and this game was a prime example of that. The Jaguars shot themselves in the foot this game, the Chiefs didn't beat them.</p>
<p>The Jaguars gifted the chiefs four turnovers, all which could have been avoided. Bryant Walters, is supposed to be sure handed, fumbled a punt return. T.J. Yeldon fumbled a screen pass that could have been a first down on 3rd and 17. <span>Blake Bortles</span> threw and interception right at a Chiefs linebacker. Oh, and <span>Chris Ivory</span> fumbled at the one inch line, a score that could have helped the Jaguars win this game. 13 of the Chief' 19 points came off Jaguars turnovers, all which put them deep into Jaguars territory for easy scores.</p>
<p>The Jaguars had 25 first downs to the Chiefs' 10. They outgained them by 218 yards. They outgained them on the ground 205 to 62 yards. Heck, they only committed five penalties the entire game. Yet, this team just doesn't know how to win. They shot themselves in the foot over and over, till they could barely walk anymore.</p>
<p>And they held the Chiefs to 1-14 on third downs. The defense did everything they could to win the game for the Jaguars. The Chiefs had their back up quarterback, third string running back, and were without their best receiver for pretty much the whole game. Even decent teams win this type of game, thing is, the Jaguars aren't even close to a decent team.</p>
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<h4><b>2. The Jaguars finally got their running game going</b></h4>
<p><b></b>For the first time all season, it looked like the offensive line was getting push, and opening up holes for the running backs. Chris Ivory ran with aggression, especially on his 42-yard run in which he used the truck stick on Chiefs safety Ron Parker. Hackett mixed up the play calling a little bit, and stayed committed to the run game as it was effective most of the game. The Chiefs defense is pretty banged up though, so I don't know how telling this actually is.</p>
<p>I am more likely to lean toward the results of the first seven games of the season than just based off one, but it was a nice sign that the run game finally got going, and allowed the offense to rely less on Blake Bortles.</p>
<h4><b>3. Overall, I thought Hackett did a good job with the play-calling</b></h4>
<p>When a coordinator is fired, there seems to always be a bounce back game by either side of the ball that is effected, as it sends a jolt through the whole unit. While Bortles struggled early, I thought the play designs were good, especially in the run game. Sometimes mixing it up can be a good thing when a team is struggling, and it seemed to help for at least one week for the Jaguars. Can this continue? That us the real question. If Hackett can get this offense going, it may help save Bortles career, and also make the Jaguars a more attractive option for head coaching candidates.</p>
<h4><b>4. The defense continues to struggle to force turnovers</b></h4>
<p>With only five forced turnovers on the year, the Jaguars defense continues to struggle with forcing turnovers under Gus Bradley. They didn't help their cause today, with a botched interception that <span>Prince Amukamara</span> could have caught, but <span>Tashaun Gipson</span> ran into him, forcing him to drop it.</p>
<p>With a turnover-prone offense, it is vital the Jaguars defense is aggressive and looks to take the ball. That is why they signed Tashaun Gipson, and why they drafted <span>Jalen Ramsey</span>. Five turnovers in eight games simply is not enough, especially with some of the inept offenses they have faced this season.</p>
<h4><b>5. Jeremy Parnell got worked all game by <span>Dee Ford</span></b></h4>
<p>Once upon a time Dee Ford was someone many at this website wanted in a Jaguars uniform. Today, however, he was giving Parnell nightmares all day. Ford's quickness seemed to much for Parnell, who gave up way to many pressures, including two sacks to Dee Ford. Parnell was fine last year, but this year he has seemed to taken a step back, especially in the running game. With zero guaranteed money on his contact next offseason, I wouldn't be surprised if the Jaguars let him go. He was a decent plug in option when the Jaguars had terrible production there, but Parnell is part of the Jaguars big offensive line problems now.</p>
<h4><b>6. Is Marqise Lee the most reliable player on offense? </b></h4>
<p>Lee has strung together several good games in the last few weeks, and is showing the explosiveness that made him a 1st round talent in some peoples eyes in the 2014 draft. With Allen Robinson having drop problems, and some effort problems has well, along with Hurns getting blasted once a game it seems, Lee has bene the one constant in the Jaguars offensive success.</p>
<p>We may have given up on Lee too quickly the last two seasons, as his injuries obviously were frustrating. The talent has always been there, now we are starting to see some consistency. If he can continue this for the final 8 games, it gives the Jaguars a good problem to think about long term at the receiver position.</p>
<h4><b>7. Will Bortles get benched this season?</b></h4>
<p>Every week it seems there are three or four Bortles throws that leave you scratching your head. While his throwing motion is indeed a problem, his accuracy and decision-making have been the two main reasons he has struggled so much this season.</p>
<p>Look, I am definitely not the biggest <span>Chad Henne</span> fan, but at some point when a player is struggling that bad, you have to send a message. If it were any other position, nobody would question the decision. And benching him doesn't mean for the season, it can only be for one game. When you are a coaching staff that is hanging on to their jobs by a hair, you can be forced to make decisions that helps you win the game in front of you, because each win becomes so valuable. Bortles has another eight games to prove the Jaguars shouldn't bring any completion in to compete with him next year, and he better hope the quarterbacks coach who he flew in can work some magic on him, along with new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.</p>
https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2016/11/6/13543514/7-observations-from-the-jaguars-19-14-loss-to-the-chiefsJimmy Siettmann