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What’chu going to do when Minshewmania runs wild on you!!! What does the Jaguars Week 2 matchup hold?
The Jacksonville Jaguars will have a much bigger test this week when they face off with, division rival, the Tennessee Titans. Don’t get me wrong the Jaguars Week 2 could easily turn into a nightmare. However I don’t believe necessarily that’ll be the case.
The Jaguars were able to go out versus the Colts and execute their game plan well. Coach Jay Gruden was steady on the ground averaging four yards a carry. They were able to continually move the ball through the short passing game and exploited cornerback Xavier Rhodes. The defense did their job too. Don’t get me wrong the defense wasn’t extraordinary, but they were able to keep the Colts under 24 points. This led Phillip Rivers to return to his 2019 self and implode. I believe the Jaguars will use a similar game plan.
Offensive Game Plan
Keep Runs To The Inside
First and foremost Jacksonville needs to show a similar consistency in the run game. Their longest run of the day was only 12 yards against the Colts. Again they don’t need the big gain to keep the Titans honest. The Titans present a better match than the Colts.
Running back James Robinson is at his best when attacking the B-gaps. Jeffrey Simmons was the only defensive lineman for the Titans that had a plus grade versus the run in the opener. They’d be wise to avoid Jadeveon Clowney and Harold Landry III. Both did a solid job of setting the edge and the Jaguars won’t succeed if they try to design run plays to the outside. If Robinson can continually get to the second level safety Kenny Vaccaro was the only starter on the backend with a plus run defense grade.
Stick With Quick Reads & Throws
Gruden did a good job of protecting Minshew with short routes and quick reads. 15 of Minshew’s 20 pass attempts were thrown no further than ten yards.
This in turn protected the offensive line who only allowed ten pressures. Minshew did take four sacks, but only two of those were really on the offensive line. The Denver Broncos deployed a similar tactic against the Titans.
Drew Lock only had 12 of his 33 attempts thrown over ten yards. However they were very successful in the short passing game and only allowed ten pressures to the Titans. The short passing game will necessary to prolong drives, but the Jags can’t win with that alone.
Attack Downfield More
The one aspect of Gruden’s game plan I didn’t like was absence of downfield shots. Gardner Minshew only took one shot down field and guess what it went for a touchdown. They should set up and take more of those shots.
With Adoree` Jackson out and Amani Hooker not seeing significant snaps Minshew can take advantage. Malcolm Butler and rookie Chris Jackson didn’t look good in coverage. Jackson in particular can’t numerous breaks thanks to overthrows by Lock.
Avoid Byard/Exploit Jackson
I’m not saying Minshew should take tons of shots downfield, but I want to see the offense be more opportunistic. Minshew should steer clear of Kevin Byard though. He’s an All-Pro safety and it would be wise to scheme him away from where you want to go deep.
Keelan Cole did a fine job in the slot for Jacksonville. Gruden won’t need any pre-snap movement to avoid Kenny Moore in this matchup though. Jackson is the exact matchup they want. I’d like to see more snaps in the slot for Laviska Shenault. He only had four snaps in the slot, but Jackson did a poor job of limited yards after the catch. That’s Shenault’s bread and butter.
Defensive Game Plan
Much like I said last week this defense just needs to do enough. If they can hold the Titans under 24 points then this game is winnable.
Jacksonville is going to catch a break that A.J. Brown out. Suddenly this secondary has a fighting chance. Although the pass rush needs to come alive. I know they were against a great offensive line, nonetheless eight pressures won’t do it this week. On top of that they need some sort of run defense. You won’t stop Derrick Henry, but this defense can’t just lay down and die.
This defense just needs to do enough. Like last week this game isn’t a forgone conclusion and there is a real chance by Sunday evening the Jaguars will be in the lead of the AFC South. The Jaguars Week 2 matchup is winnable mark my words!
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