Jaguars’ ‘D’ back on track
Safety wants to end season on high note
JACKSONVILLE — It’s likely too late for the Jaguars to turn around their disappointing season with four games remaining.
Still, safety Tashaun Gipson hasn’t lost his desire to prove defensively they can play at the same level they did in last week’s 6-0 victory against the Indianapolis Colts for the remainder of the season.
Finally, they performed like an elite defense after a two-month absence.
They stopped the Colts on three fourth-down plays, sacked quarterback Andrew Luck three times and held them to 265 yards, their fewest yardage output this season.
Now, can they do it again with a quick turnaround playing on Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans on the road?
“After so many games not looking like us on the defensive side of the ball, to go out there and do what we did against one of the best offenses as of late, I think it’s a huge moment for us,” Gipson said. “We want to end the season on a high note. The best we can do is go down and be a bunch of spoilers to teams that’s in the hunt right now.”
Until Sunday’s win over the Colts, the Jaguars (4-8) couldn’t avoid beating themselves with coverage busts, numerous penalties and bad quarterback play.
Desperate for change, coach Doug Marrone fired his offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett last week and benched Blake Bortles, replacing him with backup Cody Kessler, who will earn his second consecutive start on Thursday night.
Defensive coordinator Todd Wash has been under fire, too.
He didn’t lose his job like Hackett, but remains on the hot seat.
“All we got to do is make sure we’re focus on getting the win,” linebacker Telvin Smith said. “I think we take [last week’s win] and keep running with it.”
The Jaguars have lost three straight to the Titans, which includes a 9-6 loss in Week 3. Though the Jaguars defense didn’t give up a touchdown, they allowed a 12-play, 65-yard drive that ended on Ryan Succop’s decisive 28-yard field goal with 4:06 to play.
The Jaguars also couldn’t stop quarterback Marcus Mariota from rushing for 51 yards on seven carries after he replaced former Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who was knocked out of the game with a concussion after nine plays. Mariota didn’t start because of an elbow injury.
The Titans have relied on Yulee native Derrick Henry’s physical running style. In last season’s 37-16 victory, Henry rushed for 92 yards and scored a touchdown. In September, the Jaguars limited Henry to 57 yards rushing.
“We like for it to be the goal in getting everyone on the same page with blocking guys, running the football, getting open and throwing,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said. “But we understand that’s not going to be easy against a very good defense [Jaguars]. These division games are tough, they’re close and everyone knows the personnel. I wouldn’t imagine we’re going to see a lot of different stuff from them.”
The Titans (6-6), who remain in contention for a playoff berth, had to overcome a 16-0 first-half deficit to beat the New York Jets 26-22 on Sunday with Mariota accomplishing his eighth game-winning drive since the 2017 season. He threw a 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Corey Davis with 36 seconds remaining for the winner.
“He’s [Mariota] a top-tier athletic quarterback,” Gipson said. “He’s definitely in the class up there with a rare select few guys. It’s always tough when you’ve got a quarterback capable of getting the first down on third-and-long with his legs as well as make the throw. He’s throwing the ball pretty well and not turning it over as much. I’ve been playing the guy for three seasons now and each game come down and he’s been the difference maker. I know those guys are going to be prepared for the challenge.”