JACKSONVILLE – There's comparatively little to analyze.
The Jaguars lost to the Detroit Lions, 34-16, at TIAA Bank Field Sunday afternoon – their fifth consecutive loss and the fifth consecutive game in which they have allowed 30 or more points.
That's a troubling statistic. Equally troubling is they have trailed by double digits in all five losses. They rallied to nearly beat the Tennessee Titans in a 33-30 Week 2 loss – but that loss and a Week 1 victory over the Indianapolis Colts are far in the rearview and matter little now.
The Jaguars aren't just struggling in recent weeks. They're not coming close. The reasons are many. Quarterback Gardner Minshew II continues to struggle with soft zone coverage and there continue to be legitimate questions about whether he's the Jaguars' future at quarterback. The running game continues to struggle, partly because the defense continues to struggle enough early in games that offensive coordinator Jay Gruden can't stick with rookie running back James Robinson in the second half.
That's a lot of concerns, and that's the Jaguars' reality right now.
They also continue to fight injuries, with defensive end Josh Allen missing Sunday's game with a knee injury and guard A.J. Cann leaving it with a shoulder injury. Linebacker Myles Jack (ankle), safety Jarrod Wilson (hamstring) and tight end Tyler Eifert (neck) all left with injuries during the after trying to play through them.
These are tough times. We'll discuss them all week. We'll start here.
Let's get to it …
Jon from Southampton, UK
Jon. Are we bad?
It's "J-O-H-N," and the Jaguars are 1-5 with five consecutive losses. They have trailed by double digits in all five of those losses. They have allowed 30 points in all five losses. Are they bad? They're sure not good, "J-O-N."
Michael from Jacksonville
Way, way too easy for Detroit to go down the field...
No doubt.
Sascha from Cologne
John, let's be honest, we need a new quarterback. I don't need to see 10 more games from Gardner. He is no franchise quarterback in my opinion. His stats are better than what we see in the field. Do you disagree?
It's trending that way, Sascha. It would be very good for the Jaguars if it trends the other way because he has traits you like in a quarterback. His want-to, leadership and poise under pressure are very encouraging. But the arm strength, pocket presence and field vision that have been concerns in recent weeks continued to be a concern Sunday. This will be a topic all week. That's the short version.
Dan from Somewhere in the Back
John, Our brilliant general manager (David Caldwell) asked us to give this team a chance. We did and they are barely competitive. As lovable as he is, Minshew is not the guy. So where do we go from here?
To Los Angeles (Thank you … I'll be here all week!!).
Jerell from Columbia, SC
Jags are a terrible team and franchise. 1-15 book it.
This was the much-ballyhooed, oft-discussed, typically reactionary First Email of the Game. It was from Jerell – and considering the circumstances and Jerell's well-documented affection for the extreme reaction, the gist of the email was unsurprising. I don't think the Jaguars will go 1-15 this season. I think they will win multiple games. They must play MUCH better than Sunday to make that happen.
Roger from Houston, TX
I'm afraid it's starting to look like our nightmare scenario: Minshew gets worse with every game, the defense hasn't improved, and whatever strengths we appeared to have — running game, wide receivers, e.g.--seem to be easily neutralized by three teams with a combined one win.
It has been a rough month.
Scott from Atlantic Beach, FL
Lack of arm strength on the interception. Go Jets! #20yearsNoQB
You're referencing a long pass from Minshew to wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. that safety Duron Harmon intercepted in the second quarter Sunday. It appeared Minshew got some pressure on the play, so I don't know that that particular interception was all about arm strength.
JT from Fort Worth, TX
_Our quarterback situation year in, year out has been a nightmare. I've felt indifferent about the Jags for the last two weeks now. That hasn't happened for me personally since we founded the team. At this point, John, I'm rooting for tanking for Trevor because I'm sick and tired of feeling like we lost after the first drive of each game. Enough is enough. _
Fair.
Paul from St. Johns, FL
It seems to me that our receivers are getting open more times than Minshew seems to recognize. And when he does recognize it, he is slow to deliver the ball. Is it time to give Luton a look? At least he could see more of the open receivers ...
I don't believe the Jaguars will be going to rookie quarterback Jake Luton soon. I don't necessarily disagree with your points regarding Minshew.
George from Savannah, GA
As Don Meredith used to say, "Turn out the lights, the party' over." Jaguars Owner Shad and Tony Khan have some serious decisions to make at the end of this season.
Yep.
