Game that was: "Can't just show up and play well"
Senior writer John Oehser examines the Jaguars' 38-14 loss to the San Diego Chargers in Week 2 of the 2016 regular season Sunday – with an eye on HC Gus Bradley's reaction to the loss
JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser examines the Jaguars' 38-14 loss to the San Diego Chargers in Week 2 of the 2016 regular season Sunday – with an eye on HC Gus Bradley's reaction to the loss
"CAN'T JUST SHOW UP AND PLAY WELL"
As Head Coach Gus Bradley saw it, the Jaguars' difficulties Sunday were total.
Offense, defense, special teams – wherever you looked during a 38-14 loss to the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium Sunday there were big issues and big problems.
"In all three phases," Bradley said after the Jaguars' second consecutive loss to start the 2016 season. "We didn't have rhythm on offense. We're built to stop the run and they did a good job running the ball. Give credit to them – very well-coached, very good in execution. We could just never get in a rhythm.
"We have a lot of things to clean up, but give them credit."
The Jaguars, a week after falling 14 yards short of an upset victory over the Green Bay Packers, trailed 21-0 at halftime and 35-0 early in the fourth quarter Sunday before scoring two final-period touchdowns.
"We just didn't have a very good day," Bradley said, adding, "I think you have to put that on me. When a team comes out that they need offensively and defensively … as a head coach, I have to take a lot of responsibility … you can't just show up and play well.
"There are a lot of things that go into it and we'll learn from those things."
Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles threw for two fourth-quarter touchdowns, but committed three first-half turnovers. That included two interceptions and a sack that turned into a lost fumble.
"We're 0-2," Bortles said. "That's what it is. Now, we get an opportunity to show what kind of team we are."
INJURY UPDATE
Jaguars offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum left the field on a stretcher/cart after a long fourth-quarter delay. He was taken to a local hospital where he was evaluated for a concussion. The Jaguars announced that all tests were negative, but Beachum will be kept overnight on Sunday for observation and return to Jacksonville Monday.
NOTABLE …
Jaguars second-year defensive end Dante Fowler registered his first two career sacks Sunday after missing his rookie season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Rookie defensive end Yannick Ngakoue also registered his first career sack, forcing a first-half fumble that was recovered by safety Johnathan Cyprien for the team's first takeaway of the season. "It's progress," Fowler said. "When you get your first sack it's like a big weight off your shoulders and eventually you just find yourself around the quarterback. That's our job, to be consistent and get to the quarterback."
QUOTABLE I
"I hurt for those guys in the locker room. I hurt for us and I hurt for the fans. Embarrassed? We just didn't play well. I don't know if you're defined by one game. The big thing is let's see how we respond to this. I have a lot of faith in the character of the coaches and this team. We'll be back."
--Bradley
QUOTABLE II
"It was just one of those games. You try not to have those games, but sometimes they happen. Better early because we have a chance to learn from it. There's no doubt in my mind this team will respond this week with a much better performance."
-Wide receiver Allen Robinson
QUOTABLE III
"We have to find a way to come together and keep our heads up."
--Fowler
QUOTABLE IV
"We should have come off last week with some confidence and applied that to this game. I don't know if last week kind of made us feel like we arrived or something. I know one thing: It's too early for this team sit here and throw in the towel."
--Defensive tackle Roy Miller III
