Team looking for spark after bad few weeks
Jaguars take a 3-game losing streak into Sun.
JACKSONVILLE — The Jaguars expect to get out to a fast start with Gardner Minshew taking command Sunday againstHouston.
And they are hopeful their defense will be able to set the tone by forcing a couple of three-and-outs.
Perhaps, it’s good to expect the best, even though the Jaguarshave not experienced any over the past threeweeks.
“We continue to keep pushing to put ourselves in a good situation — that’s on us as coaches — and then get those players where we can make those plays and go,” coach Doug Marrone said. “So the looking at oneself and what do you do to keep yourself motivated? You know you work your entire life to try to get to where you are.
“So if you’re going to lack motivation or the competitiveness about you at a certain point, you probably weren’t cut out to be in this business anyway.”
The Jaguars (1-3) have a bumbling defense that continues to have a multitude of problems. Their offense has potential, especially with rookie running back James Robinson. However, last week against Cincinnati, after taking a 13-10 halftime lead, the Jaguars got outscored 17-0 in the third quarter that put the game out of reach.
Now they are back with the same objective to achieve — a breakthrough win finally — when they play the Houston Texans that fired their head coach and general manager Bill O’ Brien Monday after an 0-4 start.
Defensive star J.J. Watt reportedly started a player revolt two weeks before O’Brien was fired when he got into an ugly heated exchange with his former coach.
With all that turmoil, which included O’Brien getting into arguments with his assistants, it appears the
Jaguars have found their ideal opponent.
But nothing is a given this season, not when the Jaguars have lost three straight, including back-to-back games against Miami and Cincinnati, both of which were winless before playing Jacksonville.
With no margin for error, Marrone expects yet another challenging game.
“I mean, they’ve got some crafty veteran receivers out there, they’ve got a quarterback that can do a lot of things: scramble, run,” Marrone said. “Butmake no mistake, we’ve got to get some guys obviously getting to the quarterback and getting him off rhythm.”
The Jaguars have struggled from falling behind early, lapses of poor execution, and having too many defensive breakdowns. Among their concerns for Sunday are their mounting injuries. Defensive end Josh Allen is questionable to play because of a knee injury. Marrone says Allen’s chances of playing remain at50% and they are going to see where he is on Saturday before a final determination is made.
Linebacker Myles Jack and rookie cornerback CJ Henderson are also listed as questionable.
And kicker Aldrick Rosas, who made four field goals against Cincinnati, was placed on the practice squad injured list.
Veteran Stephen Hauschka, expected to handle kicking duties Sunday, would be the Jaguars’ fourth kicker in four games since Josh Lambo was placed on injured reserve.
Despite it all, rookie receiver Laviska Shenault thinks they are knocking at the door of effectively executing all three phases for a change.
“I always talk about attention to detail because it is like the little things that just hurt us here or there, but I think we have some special things coming here in the future,” Shenault said.
The Jaguars have not beaten the Texans since the 2017 season, losing the last four games. Houston has lost each of its last four games by at least seven points.