Houston vs. Jaguars Game 6 Oct 21st Texans_Digital | Page 79

BOUNCE BACK
TH AFC SOUTH RIVAL HOUSTON TEXANS
JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville Jaguars (3-
3) stand at a crossroads as they enter today’s
game against the Houston Texans (3-3).
At .500 along with the Texans and the Tennessee
Titans, the Jaguars are third in the standings
with an 0-1 division record following an earlier
loss to the Titans. The Titans are 2-0 in the
division while the Texans are 1-1. Obviously
overall record is the top standard for a division
championship, but the Jaguars cannot afford to
get too far behind in division record, even with
nine games remaining after today.
We have heard people this week say it is a
“must win” game for the Jaguars. I say no,
since it will not knock them out of playoff
contention today if they get a losing result.
That said, this game darn sure has that familiar
crossroads feeling.
Last season, the Jaguars were 3-3 and trying
to fi gure out which way the team would trend.
They had fl ashed some outstanding offensive
performances and knew they had the game-
wrecking defense that could carry them. That
confi dence turned into four consecutive wins
and victories in seven of the following eight
games, a run that that turned the season and
propelled them to the AFC South title and into
the playoffs for the fi rst time in 10 years.
Another similar run would be nice, but the
performances over the last two weeks have
raised some doubts about this team and how
good it is.
Two weeks ago, the Kansas City Chiefs knocked
off the Jaguars 30-14 as the Jags turned the
ball over fi ve times and converted only once
in fi ve chances in the offensive red zone. The
defense recorded two interceptions, but it was
not enough to turn the tide.
Last week the Dallas Cowboys beat the Jaguars
40-7 and dominated the game from the opening
drive. The Cowboys scored on all four fi rst-half
possessions to open a 24-0 lead, producing 17
fi rst downs in the half compared to the Jaguars’
19 total plays. In the second half the Cowboys
capitalized on short fi elds set up by turnovers
and pulled away.
Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marrone has not hit
the panic button but knows things must turn
quickly.
“Obviously, we haven’t performed well,”
Marrone said in his Monday press conference.
“When you don’t do that, especially in this
league, you get so much speculation of answers,
you want things done, sending messages… Sit
this guy or do this with this coach or whatever.
Those are the things that go on.
“We’re looking at a lot of different things. We’re
doing all of those things because obviously it’s
not good enough. If it was just as simple as ‘this’
or ‘this’ or ‘this,’ it would be easy.”
There have been injuries and there have been
losses on the fi eld, but the schedule will not
slow down.