Headlines
- Season review, and outlook for next year
- Jaguars eliminated from playoffs
- Jaguars roll Colts, finish season 9-7
- Jaguars defeat Titans 22-9
- Hope remains alive In Jacksonville
- Jaguars upset Falcons, improve to 7-7
- Opportunistic defense provides spark for sluggish offense
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Players to Watch
- Maurice Jones-Drew
MJD is the bread and butter for the Jacksonville offense. MJD finsihed the season with 328 carries for a career best 1,794 yards and 16 touch downs. Allowing Jacksonville to have the 7th best rushing attack in the league. Teams know Jacksonville is going to lean heavy on the ground game and yet they continue to put up impressive numbers week in and week out. Imagine how dangerous MJD could be if Jacksonville could improve its 30th ranked passing game next season. - Blaine Gabbert
Gabbert was thrown into the starting role earlier then he expected when the previous head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars released long-time starter David Garrard in week 3 of the season. Gabbert and the team struggled dropping their next 6. One of their largest problems was offensive production in the passing game. With a new head coach and offensive scheme the Jacksonville passing game got better each and every week as Gabbert progressed finsihing the season with 2,230 yards with 16 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. If Gabbert continues his progression and the Jaguars are able to find some more receiving threats, the Jags could have a potent offense next season. - Paul Posluszny
Posluszny came over to Jacksonville as a free agent from Buffalo because he wanted to play in a 4-3 defense, and boy did it turn out well. Posluszny is second on the team in tackles with 43 and finished the season as the leader on the team and league(for linebackers) with interceptions(9). Posluszny has been one of the largest contributors behind the revival of Jacksonville's vaulted defense with his ability to not only stuff the run but also shut down short and intermediate passes. Posluszny will continue to be one of the larger pieces in Jacksonville's 4-3 defense for years to come. - The Defensive Tackles
Tyson Alualu and Terrance Knighton form one of the leagues youngest and brightest DT tandems. The two heavy hitters have combined for 10 sacks and two safeties. They are also the driving force behind Jacksonville's 1st ranked rush defense(68.6 YPG).
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Season Review, and Outlook for Next Year
The jags went 4-4 at Everbank Field in 2011, a stat they would like to improve upon next year.
Jacksonville, Florida- It was the tale of two season in Jacksonville this year as the Jaguars race to a 9-7 finish and barely miss playoffs for the 4th year in a row.
When the 2011 campaign opened up under the tutelage of first year head coach XXXXX the outlook on the season was great. The Jaguars opened at home with a victory of their division nemesis Tennessee Titans (8-8)and then went on the road to knock off the eventual NFC East Champion New York Jets(9-7). From there, everything began to unravel for the jags. XXXXX fired long-time starter quarter back David Garrard and went with rookie Blaine Gabbert. The offense sputtered and the Jaguars dropped their next 5 games falling to 2-5 on the season. The Jaguars owner, Wayne Wever had seen enough and fired XXXX replacing him with AZheat.
Things under AZheat's tenure did not get off to the best start as the Jaguars lost to the Houston Texans 13-24. Following the loss, Jacksonville had its bye where it became clear things were going to change. The team became more disciplined on defense finishing the season as the 4th best defense in the league(298.4 YPG). Lead by their two young nose tackles Tyson Alualu and Terrance Knighton the Jaguars were the best team in the NFL at shutting down the run(68.6 YPG). On offense AZheat focused on all-pro running back Maurice Jones-Drew who hadn't been utilize to his maximum capacity under the previous head coach. Maurice Jones-Drew finished the season with nearly 1800 yards, had 16 touchdowns, and carried the ball nearly 350 times as the Jaguars finished the season as the 8th best rushing attacking in the NFL(136 YPG).
His starategy worked. The Jaguars went 7-1 following the bye. In the process the Jaguars upset the Houston Texans(12-4) and the Atlanta Falcons(11-5).Their only loss coming in overtime against the San Diego Chargers. A game that could of been won had a Josh Scobee 52 yard field goal attempt not been blocked as time expired.
With such a strong finish to the 2011 campaign what can we expect out of the 2012 Jacksonville Jaguars? The good news is that the Jaguars get to play their own division again, which they did fairly well in this year(5-1). They also get to play the NFC East which was the weakest division in the entire AFC this year(25-39). In the NFC the Jaguars get to play the NFC North (28-36). Their other two opponents are the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Diego Chargers, both of whom the Jaguars lost to in 2011.
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Jaguars Eliminated From Playoffs
The city of Jacksonville misses playoffs for 4th consecutive year.
Jacksonville, Florida- Despite winning this week in Indianapolis the Jacksonville Jaguars were still eliminated from playoff contention when San Diego Chargers(10-6)won their games this week.
The Jaguars originally had a chance at the AFC South Championship after the Houston Texans dropped three in a row and looked like they were on a downward spiral as well as the Jaguars win over the Tennessee Titans in week 16. However things did not work out well for the Jags as they eliminated from winning the division two weeks ago when the Houston Texans(12-4) beat the Carolina Panthers to secure the division championship.
Despite being eliminated from their division championship, the Jaguars still had a chance at the final wildcard spot in the AFC due to losses by both the Chargers and Chiefs in week 16. The Jaguars did their part in week 17 as they defeated the Indianapolis Colts(8-8) at Lucas Oil Stadium. However the Chargers were able to bounce back and beat Oakland in a game that meant nothing to the Raiders allowing them to secure the sixth seed in the AFC and effectively eliminating the Jaguars from the playoffs.
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Jags Roll Colts, Finish Season 9-7
Maurice Jones-Drew runs through the Colts in route of a 47-28 win.
Indianapolis, Indiana- The Jaguars finish their season on a strong note after sweeping the colts this season after winning 47-28 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The team rushed for 229 yards with the combination of Maurice Jones-Drew and Rashad Jennings. Jennings saw his first significant action of the season and proved to be a nice compliment to MJD as he rushed for 66 yards on 11 carries and also had a reception for 48 yards and a touchdown. Blaine Gabbert continued his progress going 15 of 20 for 235 yards and 3 touchdowns with only one interceptions.
On the other side of the ball, the defense was aggressive. Second year pro Terrance Knighton forced a safety early in the third quarter as he sacked Peyton Manning in the end zone. Corner backs Drew Coleman and Rashean Mathis picked off three passes. The linebackers were involved as well as Clint Sessions also recorded an interceptions.
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Jaguars Defeat Titans 22-9
Blaine Gabbert completes a pass
Nashville, Tennessee- In a game that meant everything to both teams the Jacksonville Jaguars emerge victorious after a 22-9 win against division foe Tennessee Titans.
It was a game Jacksonville dominated defensively only allowing 55 yards on the ground and 107 in the air. The unit continues to prove why it is one of the best in the league as it limited Chris Johnson to only 48 yards on 15 carries.
On offense, things were not as pretty for Jacksonville as Blaine Gabbert threw 2 interceptions in route of going 11/19 for only 133 yards along with a touchdown. Maurice Jones Drew was held to 126 yards and had no touchdowns.
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Hope Remains Alive In Jacksonville
Jaguar faithfuls remain optimistic after team evens record.
Jacksonville, Florida- After beginning the season 2-0 things looked pretty good in Jacksonville. They were atop the AFC South and were solid on both sides of the ball. The good feelings didn't last very long however as disaster stuck. The coach fired starting QB David Garrard and things unraveled from there. The Jaguars lost their next 5 falling to 2-5 before the coach was fired by Wayne Weaver. The following week AZheat was brought in as the replacement and lost his first game against the Houston Texans before the bye.
All hope looked lost for the season as the Jags entered their bye. They were 2-6, fielded the worst offense in the league, and had a defense that gave up far too many big plays and points. However, that bye proved to be crucial. As AZheat corrected some of the critical mistakes the team had been making. Now under the leadership of AZheat, the jags have focused on a stifling defense and a ground and pound style of offense that has allowed them go 5-1 since the bye and improve to 7-7.
Not only have the Jaguars upset two of the leagues top teams in the Texans and Falcons they have also evened their record and remain in the hunt for the AFC South Championship no matter how bleak their chances may be.
While the Texans(9-4) are unraveling and have lost their last 3. They would still only need to win one game in order to successfully knock Jacksonville completely out of the hunt. Thankfully for the Jaguars the Texans have one of the roughest schedules ahead of them (Carolina, Indianapolis, Tennessee).
The Titans(8-5) also stand in Jacksonville's way with a new coach who has done nothing but win since taking over. The Titans face the Colts this week in a game they must lose in order for Jacksonville to remain alive.Week 16 sees the Titans and Jags meet up for their rematch in Nashville that could help determine who wins the South. The Jags just have to hope that game actually means something to them. If not they will just be playing to keep the Titans out of the playoffs.
Regardless of what happens this season, the fans of Jacksonville have something to be hopeful and excited for. The teams is more disciplined, focused,and confident than it has been in years.That should not only translate but magnify next season as the Jaguars continue to improve under their new head coach.
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Jacksonville Upsets Atlanta, Improves to 7-7
Atlanta, Georgia- The Jacksonville Jaguars land their second upset of the season as they defeat the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome 41-27. With the win the Jaguars improve to 7-7 on the season and 4-3 on the road.
Maurice Jones-Drew punched it in for four touchdowns and ran for 232 yards on 29 carries. The Jags rode his production to their 2nd win in a row. Blaine Gabbert performed nicely going 15 of 19 for 251 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions.
The usually stout defense gave up a ton of yards, 552 to be exact, but forced two costly Atlanta turnovers and also had two sacks.
While the win may of been ugly, it was a win the Jaguars needed as they try to remain alive in the race for the AFC South Championship.
Next week, Jacksonville remains on the road as the team travels to Nashville to take on the division foe Titans(8-5) in a game that will have playoff implications for at least one of the teams.
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Opportunistic Defense Sparks Sluggish Offense
Jaguars celebrating after one of the teams 31 interceptions
Jacksonville, Florida- With a rookie quarter back, a make shift wide receiver core, and a young offensive line the Jaguars were in for a slow season offensively. Throughout most of the season that was the case, the Jaguars were 31st in total yards per game, had one of the lowest scoring offenses in the entire league and had a passing game that was only averaging 130 yards per game(31st in the league).
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball you had one of the best defenses in the league under new head coach AZheat that was able to allow Jacksonville to win games despite their lack of production on offense. While the group had been stout at forcing 3 and outs they were not exactly good at forcing turnovers.
However this has all changed the last two weeks as the defense has forced 9 turnovers over that span. Allowing the Jacksonville offense to ignite and burn opponents for 487 and 538 yards. Scoring over 90 points in the last two weeks alone. The highest two week total in Jaguars history.
In the two game span the jags all-pro running back Maurice Jones-Drew rushed for nearly 400 yards and scored 7 touch downs. Their rookie quarter back has also been productive and smart throwing for nearly 500 yards and 4 touchdowns with only 1 interception. His best stretch of the season to date.
If the Jacksonville defense continues to force turnovers and give the offense short fields and a boost of confidence continue to look for improvement on the offensive side of the ball.
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Last edited by azheat on Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:53 pm; edited 15 times in total
