JACKSONVILLE – The arrow is still pointing up for the Jaguars in the preseason.
Never mind the final score the first two weeks: a 17-13 loss to the New York Jets and a 27-21 loss to the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Focus instead on the expected front-line players on both sides of the ball. Their early success – with plenty
left to work on – is a great sign of what could come in the regular season.
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Over the first two preseason games, the
“starting” Jaguars offense has scored 24
points in five preseason possessions – a field
goal and touchdown against the Jets and a
pair of touchdowns against the Buccaneers
following an opening drive three-and-out.
In a point of emphasis for the Jaguars offense
in training camp, two of the three Jaguars
touchdowns have come inside the 20-yard
line with the other from the fringe of the red
zone, the 24-yard line.
“The more you do it (red zone offense),
the better you feel about it and the more
comfortable you feel with it,” quarterback
Blake Bortles said after the Buccaneers game.
“Decision making, throws and all of that just
comes with reps. Being able to stay in the
same system with (offensive coordinator)
Greg (Olsen) for the second year in a row is
awesome and him and (quarterbacks coach)
Nathanial Hackett have done a really good
job of preparing us.”
Bortles’ consistent play both in and out of the
red zone is a big reason for the early success.
Completing 14 of 18 passes for 190 yards and
two touchdowns, Bortles seemed confident in
the offensive weapons at his disposal and has
a better overall feel of offensive coordinator
Greg Olson’s offense. Wide receiver Allen
Robinson continues to flash talent that
only the upper echelon of receivers in the
NFL possess. Allen Hurns scored against the
Bucs, and continues to be a reliable presence.
Marqise Lee is healthy and contributing at a
high level so far, with another key catch to
pick up a first down against Tampa Bay.
The early establishment of a run game has
helped balance the attack, led by T.J. Yeldon
and Chris Ivory. Against the Buccaneers last
week, Yeldon started, rushed twice for 15
yards and hauled in a 14-yard touchdown pass
from Bortles on the game’s second drive. Ivory
ran six times for 25 yards, a solid 4.2-yardsper-carry average, and continued to show the
power and hard-running style that sent him to
the Pro Bowl with the Jets in 2015.
“I don’t know exactly how many rushing yards
we had, but just the physical nature and it’s
good to see both T.J. (Yeldon) and Chris Ivory
run hard today,” Bradley said after last week’s
game. “It’s coming along. I’m pleased that
we’re getting some chunk yards too.”
Ivory had a 12-yard carry against the Jets,
while Yeldon added a 10-yard run against the
Buccaneers.
Just the threat of a consistent run game
should open options in the passing game once
the full playbook is in place in the regular
season, including tight end Julius Thomas,
who has been relatively quiet through two
preseason games.
“THE MORE YOU DO IT (RED ZONE OFFENSE), THE BETTER YOU FEEL
ABOUT IT AND THE MORE COMFORTABLE YOU FEEL WITH IT,”
— Blake Bortles