Jaguars Offense Determined To Start With A Lead For Early Groove In Week 9

Oct 31, 2024 at 05:06 PM

John Oehser

Jaguars Senior Writer

JACKSONVILLE – It remains a focus because it remains a concern.

Press Taylor on Thursday morning spoke to the media, with the Jaguars' third-year offensive coordinator addressing an area that has been an issue through eight games this season.

The Jaguars start too slow offensively, and that been the case for a while.

"It's certainly something we're looking into," Press Taylor said.

Taylor, speaking ahead of Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., discussed multiple topics – including the offense's struggles to start games.

The Jaguars have failed to score a touchdown on their first drive of the last 13 games. Their last first-drive touchdown came in a Week 13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last season. They are 3-11 in their last 14 games including that loss.

"Getting an early lead is critical," Taylor said. "It changes the way you play the entire game if you're playing with a lead versus playing from behind. That's something we're looking at. We have to be efficient early on.

"There are some areas where we're not as efficient early and we find our strides. We have to figure out what that is."

Taylor on Thursday also lauded quarterback Trevor Lawrence for his performance late in loss to the Green Bay Packers this past Sunday, with the Jaguars rallying from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit after losing wide receivers Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas Jr. to injuries.

Lawrence drove the Jaguars to a field goal and a touchdown on the possessions, with his 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Evan Engram with 1:48 remaining tying it 27-27.

"I thought he rose to that challenge and put us in a position to win the game," Taylor said. "In those situations, those circumstances, your character gets revealed. I've never seen Trevor flinch. Honestly, in all the things that have happened – him playing hurt, guys getting hurt around him –he never flinches.

"He continues to be an unflappable, steady force for our team."

Week 9 Updates

QUOTABLE

Taylor on Walker Little, who is expected to start at left tackle Sunday after the Jaguars traded longtime left tackle Cam Robinson to the Minnesota Vikings this week: "I'm excited for Walk. He has continued to do what's asked of him, be selfless and put the team first. We'll definitely miss Cam. Cam's a guy who has been a staple for us. When you think of the Jaguars, he's one of the guys you think of. It's tough to see somebody that gave so much of himself to the team, so that's tough. You don't want to lose anybody. We've become a tight-knit group in the unit room we're in. But we're excited for Walker's opportunity. He'll step in and do a good job."

QUOTABLE

Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen on how to defend the Eagles’ “Tush Push," a short-yardage play in which running backs get behind quarterback Jalen Hurts and push for a first down on a sneak: "Tush push back. They do a great job. Their conversion rate is an all-time high. They have been stopped. It's a strain play. You have to out-strain them. That's really what it comes down to. You have to play lower than them. You have to push harder than them. They execute at a high level. We're going to have to do a really good job executing and pushing. The other thing is let's not get into that situation. That's easier said than done, but let's keep them out of third- and fourth-and-ones."

NOTABLE

The Jaguars on Thursday moved safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. to the exempt/commissioner permission list from the reserve/suspended list. Gipson, who signed with the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, has been suspended for the first eight games of the season. He can remain on the exempt list through Monday and may practice while on that list. "It's great to have him back," Nielsen said. "We're excited. We'll get him out there, get him moving around. We have to knock the rust off. We'll get him in the rotation, get him some plays and see where he's at. We'll go through the week and figure it out from there."

NOTABLE

Brian Thomas Jr. practiced limited a second consecutive day Thursday with a chest injury sustained against Green Bay. Other Jaguars players practicing limited Thursday: Running back Tank Bigsby (ankle), Davis (shoulder), running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring), defensive tackle Maason Smith (ankle) and safety Andrew Wingard (knee). Right guard Brandon Scherff (knee), left guard Ezra Cleveland (ankle) and Kirk (collarbone) missed practice with Kirk having been ruled out for the season. Cornerback Ronald Darby (hip) and running back Keilan Robinson (toe) practiced full, with Robinson and Wingard having had their 21-day windows open to return from injured reserve.

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Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Mitch Morse (65) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.