JACKSONVILLE – This was impressive. Really impressive.
The Jaguars dominated the New York Jets at TIAA Bank Field Sunday pretty much as thoroughly as you can dominate a team in the NFL – enough so that the 31-12 final score didn't really reflect the nature of the game.
The Jaguars outgained the Jets 503-178, and had 23 first downs to the Jets' 10. The Jaguars led 16-0 at halftime, and won by 19 points despite losing the turnover battle 3-0 – and despite giving the Jets nine points on short fields off turnovers.
The statistics were mind-blowingly in favor of the Jaguars. The feel of the game was mind-blowingly the same way. This was an impressive victory in the sense that there were plenty of places where the Jaguars didn't play that well, yet you never really felt like they were in danger of losing.
That's the mark of a good team.
Yes, there are plenty of areas to improve off Sunday's game. Head Coach Doug Marrone rightfully bemoaned mistakes and penalties. But big picture: this team is really good – and has played like it three of four weeks.
Let's get to it …
JT from Fort Worth, TX
Proud of this team, John. To know we are 3-1 in the first quarter of the season feels good. I appreciate the hell out of every win. I remember what the losses felt like. They SUCKED! Proud of this Jaguars team.
You should be proud – and optimistic. The Jaguars have put themselves in good position entering the second quarter of the season. They could be 4-0 if one or two plays had gone their way against Tennessee, but they're 3-1 and their calling card – a dominant defense – is playing exactly as many expected. They haven't been perfect, but you don't need to be perfect in the first quarter. You don't actually even need to be peaking in the first quarter. You need to survive in the first quarter – and preferably win more than you lose – and get to the second quarter, when you can start putting things together and work toward peaking late in the season. So far, so good.
Clayton from Gambier, OH
This is going to be an injury-filled season, isn't it?
Yes, it's the NFL. All teams have injuries in all seasons. Remember, even though the Jaguars were remarkably healthy defensively last season, nearly every offensive starter dealt with injuries. They're a part of life in the NFL. If you're lucky, they don't destroy your season. If you're not lucky, they often do.
Dane from Jacksonville
Seriously, can we coach up our o-line to keep their hands on the d-line? Blake has way too many passes tipped by lineman who aren't being engaged by anyone.
Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles' lone interception came on a pass tipped by linebacker Avery Williamson, but yes – tipped passes are sometimes the result of defensive linemen being able to get their hands up. Sunday's tip/interception looked like a good play by Williamson rather than anyone's fault, but this does happen to the Jaguars too much.
Emiel from Texas
Bortles is gonna have another big game.
This was the much-anticipated, much-ballyhooed, oft-overhyped First Email of the Game. Good eye, Emiel.
Shane from Washington, DC
Ok. I'm glad I didn't return my Blake Bortles jersey. Go BB5!
Fans gonna fan. God love 'em.
Scott from New York
How did our game end up on FOX? For that matter, how did the Raiders versus Browns end up on FOX? I thought FOX had the NFC games and CBS had the AFC with games between the conferences being shown on the road team's network.
AFC games used to be exclusively on CBS and NFC games used to be exclusively on Fox with interconference games at AFC sites on Fox and interconference games at NFC sites on CBS. That's still the general rule, but the league now puts the occasional NFC game on CBS and the occasional AFC game on Fox. The idea is to balance the schedule on certain weeks.
John from Southampton, England
So, John: Which running back should we take with the 32ndoverall pick next year?
I wouldn't take a running back that early unless he's an elite, difference-maker. And I don't know that the Jaguars are yet at the point of looking to replace running back Leonard Fournette. He's struggling with this hamstring issue. It feels like the issue is going to linger. But Fournette is four games into this season and 20 games into his NFL career. If the Jaguars had given up on Fred Taylor at a similar stage of his career when he was going through a similar hamstring issue, they would have missed out on the career of a great player. Give this one time. The Jaguars certainly will.
Jerell from Columbia, SC
How is it Blake is 6-feet-5 and throws like he is 5-feet-6? Never seen so many tips.
Ladies and gentleman, Jerell – who is nothing if not consistent!
