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Jaguars News | Jacksonville Jaguars - jaguars.com

O-Zone: Just getting open

JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Big Jags Fan from Jacksonville

It was great to be at the 'Bank to witness the annual Colts butt-whipping by the Jags. KOAF, will you explain the play call on third-and-7 with a little over three minutes to go where you have your franchise quarterback run a bootleg needlessly? A field goal gives you a three-score lead. Now, we have the leader of the offense with some type of knee injury.

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence sustained a knee injury late in a 37-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium Sunday. The Jaguars were leading 34-20 when Lawrence rolled out and was sacked on third-and-7 from the Colts 16 with 3:04 remaining. Head Coach Doug Pederson on the play: "Those are situations that we understand, too. We were trying to get a short sack, not necessarily trying to circle the defense. Part of it's on us, part of it's on Trevor. At the same time, we have to be smart there." More Pederson the play: "That call is in the game plan because it's a movement play. It allows the quarterback to get on the edge. In situations like that, you've seen it work a million times. A million and one, it didn't work. We were able to get three points out of it. From that standpoint, it was effective. Look, is there a little bit of risk there to run your quarterback? Yes. But at the same time, the reward is you get the first down, and you stay on the field and ice the game in those situations. Definitely wouldn't change the scenario or the situation. We can coach that a little bit better and ask him maybe to go down a little bit sooner."

Jason from Jacksonville

Jags dominated on a day when the offense only generated 233 yards and was four of 14 on third downs. How good is this this defense?

I have written and said multiple times in recent weeks that we're fast reaching the point that we should consider this defense good. Maybe really good. I wrote it and said it again Sunday. We have spent a lot of time discussing what the Jaguars defense isn't in recent weeks and months. We have focused on whether they will acquire a veteran pass rusher before the trade deadline. While we focused there, the Jaguars have forced 15 turnovers and held five of six opponents to 21 or fewer points. They held a strong Colts running offense to 44 yards rushing Sunday. They frustrated a powerful Buffalo Bills offense last week. They have played well enough to win in five of six games this season. The Jaguars' defense is good. Maybe really good.

Mark from Archer

Zone, I am reading and everyone is saying the offense was not great Sunday just average with the yardage they put up. In my opinion, yardage does not matter. The points are what matter. They hung 37 points on a respectable defense Sunday. Besides, you don't need to put up a lot of yards when the defense gives you great field position.

Fair.

James from Palm Coast, FL

Don't understand the coaches' decision to go for it on fourth down near midfield. Oh, wait a minute. We got a first down. That was a great call. LOL

The Jaguars indeed picked up a first down on fourth-and-1 from their 45 on their first drive Sunday. It was a seven-yard gain on a sweep by running back Travis Etienne Jr. It led to a touchdown run by Etienne that gave the Jaguars early momentum and a lead. It received significantly less criticism than fourth downs early in the season when the Jaguars went for first downs and failed. Sometimes you kill the bear, sometimes the bear kills you.

Tony from Johns Creek, GA

O, you could argue that Trevor should have been pulled, but you can't argue with the dumb call to pass with the game was in hand. At least this Doug realized it was okay to kick FG's.

One not fer rollouts and one fer field goals.

Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ

Overall, good team win but two concerns. First, the interior of the offensive line is not good, particularly Fortner. Play designs are too often use a tight end or running back to block up the middle in order to overcome that weak spot. And second, TL had got to take care of the ball. He looks like a bad rookie when he's under pressure. He's got to fix that.

While some observers and many fans have targeted center Luke Fortner as an issue, Jaguars coaches and team officials feel otherwise – though it is true that overall the interior of the offensive line has been a trouble spot through six games this season. Regarding Lawrence … yes, he must take care of the ball better. I wouldn't go so far as to say he looks like a bad rookie when under pressure, but it's an area he can improve.

Jim from Middleburg, FL

H I John , winning is fun. You were right. Thursday is a quick turnaround for a beat up offensive line. Don't get me wrong their play has been great considering all cas.ult

Pull the cord! Pull the cord!

Anita from Springfield

How much of the second half slowdown on offense was down to the Jags taking their foot off the gas, and how much was down to defensive adjustments by the Colts? Not looking for excuses, but the Colts seemed to play much better in the second half on defense.

The Jaguars scored 16 points in the second half Sunday. They didn't play nearly as well in the second half as they did in the first. I didn't sense this was as much a matter of "taking the foot off the gas" as what Pederson afterward described as a lull. The Jaguars were hot in the second quarter Sunday. They scored 21 points in about 12 minutes. It's difficult to maintain that level in the NFL. Defenses are good. And as Lawrence said after the game, there is a difficult balance with a big fourth quarter lead calling plays to drain clock while still trying to be at least a little aggressive. Also, yes: The Colts played better on defense in the second half. They have a good front. It's hard to score on every series against them.

Richard from Jacksonville

You remember back when people wanted The Stache as a franchise quarterback?

I do remember that.

Chance from Tecumseh

I am thrilled that we are 4-2, I am still worried about our O-Line. I hope Trevor is all right, but we don't want to see him scrambling for his life all the time. I feel like he's rushing given he knows the lack of time he has? Thoughts?

It felt like Lawrence was rushing a lot early in the season. From this view, it feels like he's rushing less now. That's more of a feel and a sense than anything analytical.

Tim from Fernandina Beach, FL

John, linebacker Devin Lloyd dropped two potential interceptions due to the cast on his hand. Luckily that didn't affect the outcome of the game. "With one hand tied behind his back," is he still better than Chad Muma.

I credit defenders for defending passes with extra credit for interceptions. Lloyd got himself into position to defense the aforementioned passes because that's what he does. He has knack for being around the ball, so yes … a one-handed Lloyd should still be starting.

Sascha from Cologne, Germany

Wow John, unbelievable! That's such a bad play calling, why in the world they try to pass in this situation. And now Trevor is hurt? Whoever is responsible needs to be fired. Absolutely unbelievable.

Pederson is responsible for all things involving the Jaguars on game day and said he wouldn't change the decision. Should he be fired?

Levi from Huntsville, AL

Very frustrating how our offense just disappears for long stretches.

You're right. The NFL is hard.

Steve from Jax

Should Lawrence throw more checkdown passes to running back Travis Etienne Jr.?

If the situation calls for it, sure. 

Stuart from Cottonwood, AZ

All Angelo does is recover fumbles. Duuuuvaal!

Jaguars defensive lineman Angelo Blackson indeed has two fumble recoveries this season. He had a big one Sunday after a sack/fumble by outside linebacker Josh Allen. One fer Blackson. Sure.

Tim from Jacksonville

If all he can get open on is seven-yard outs then the Jags shouldn't waste a second round pick on him.

I assume you're talking about Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who has 26 receptions for 363 yards and two touchdowns this season – and who has drawn at least five additional interference penalties. Yes, the same Ridley who caught multiple critical third-down-converting passes in a victory over the Buffalo Bills last week and who was averaging 15.1 yards per reception entering Sunday. I assume that's who you're referencing.

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