JACKSONVILLE – Doug Marrone's belief in the Jaguars' approach remains strong.
"I'm confident; I can only speak for myself, though," he said.
The Jaguars' head coach during his weekly media availability Wednesday was discussing whether the Jaguars' run-centric, defensive-oriented philosophy can work in what many observers believe is an NFL that increasingly favors the pass.
The trend toward high-powered offenses has been a league-wide topic this week in the wake of the Los Angeles Rams' 54-51 victory Monday over the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football.
Marrone said he didn't watch Monday's game, but was aware of the result.
He also was very much confident in how the Jaguars play.
"I think what you are seeing now is a big push of what everyone likes," Marrone said as the Jaguars (3-7) prepared to play the Buffalo Bills (3-7) at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York, Sunday at 1 p.m.
"Everyone likes going out there and scoring and doing a bunch of things. At the end of the day, you have to do the best you can to win. Trying to win has always been my philosophy. It serves a good purpose.
"It is something I believe in. It is kind of hard to switch."
The Jaguars this season rank 21stin the NFL in total yards and 29thin points this season, with injuries to starters at tackle, tight end, running back and wide receiver contributing to a drop from a season-high ranking of ninth in total yards following a Week 5 loss at Kansas City.
They ranked sixth in the NFL in yards and fifth in points last season, a season in which the defense ranked No. 2 in the NFL in yards allowed and No. 1 in passing yards allowed.
The Jaguars led the NFL in rushing last season, parlaying the strong running game and one of the best defenses in franchise history into their first AFC South title and first appearance in the AFC Championship Game in 18 seasons.
"That doesn't mean because you have that philosophy that you cannot score points," Marrone said of the approach. "That is the one thing we are not doing now and now the philosophy looks not good if you aren't scoring points.
"If you are running the football and you play-action pass, you have explosive plays, you play good defense, you are holding the ball more, you are not creating penalties and you are playing sound football. It is pretty good. I think it is more consistent."
Marrone on Wednesday also was asked about the team's injuries, with players such as left tackles Cam Robinson and Josh Wells, wide receivers Marqise Lee and Jaydon Mickens, center Brandon Linder, tight ends Austin-Seferian-Jenkins and Niles Paul and running back Corey Grant all on injured reserve. Running back Leonard Fournette also missed six of the first eight games with a hamstring injury.
"It is always tough," Marrone said. "I am the head coach, so I am not going to go there. My job is to win games. Injuries are part of it, as drastic as it may be.
"I am not going to be that guy. I have to do a better job, like I have said before. I am going to take responsibility for what I have to do and at the end of the day I can live with that."
Also on Wednesday:
*Starting guard A.J. Cann returned to practice Wednesday after missing Tuesday with a hamstring injury, with right tackle Jermey Parnell (knee) also practicing limited. Cann left a loss to the Steelers with the injury Sunday and did not finish the game. Jaguars players missing practice with injuries Wednesday were rookie wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (quadriceps), rookie cornerback Quenton Meeks (knee), linebacker Lerentee McCray (hamstring) and left tackle Josh Walker (foot/hamstring). Defensive tackle Marcell Dareus also returned to practice after missing Tuesday with a back injury and nose tackle Eli Ankou practiced limited with a calf injury.
