CHARLOTTE, N.C. – This was a weird one. Really weird.
The Jaguars lost to the Carolina Panthers Sunday, 34-27, at Bank of America Stadium. The run defense was miserable, allowing 285 yards – and the Jaguars lost the giveaway-takeaway battle 3-0. All this happened on the road against a good defense.
Those things would usually be enough for a blowout loss, but the Jaguars were in this game until the end – in part because of rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew II and in part because the players wouldn't allow themselves to believe they were out of the game.
As a result, there was an oddly good feeling afterward.
I'm not sure where that good feeling will take this team, but I don't sense this a team that's quitting. I don't sense this is a discouraged team. I sense this is a team that still believes in itself.
We'll see where that takes things.
Let's get to it …
Otto from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
John, I have one big question: Not about three GMII fumbles or about the D forgetting how to tackle a running back. However, why is Andrew Norwell starting, on the game day roster, on the team at all? I tried to watch him pretty closely today. A cardboard cutout would do a better job blocking than Andrew (ole') Norwell. How about giving Will Richardson a start at LG. Go Jags!!
Jaguars guard Andrew Norwell had a miserable play Sunday that helped cost the Jaguars the game. I can't focus on one player throughout the game, so I don't know if that play was consistent with how he played the rest of the game. I know Norwell has been noticed far too much at a position where it's best to go unnoticed and it has hurt the Jaguars on some big occasions. I don't get the sense the Jaguars are close to replacing Norwell. We'll see.
Mark from Crescent Beach, FL
Myles Jack is the worst linebacker in the league ... so overrated ... dirty player … did the exact same face-mask crap on first drive in Denver game. Typical front office move paying a player that is not worthy of being paid.
This was the much-anticipated, oft-ballyhooed, sometimes-forgettable First Email of the Game. Jack had a poor game Sunday. He's not the worst linebacker in the league.
Stephen from Jacksonvlle
DJ Chark doo doo. Doo doo doo doo. DJ Chark doo doo. Doo doo doo doo. DJ Chark doo doo. Doo doo doo doo. DJ Chark?
Doo doo doo.
Gary from St. Augustine, FL
How good is Gardner Minshew? Is he for real?
Yes. Minshew has shown in four games that he can be a good quarterback in this league. He has passed every test. He has checked every box. He has things he must clean up. He must protect the ball better. There were a few passes and plays Sunday on which he looked like a rookie, but you know what? He is a rookie. The kid has shown enough to tell you he can be good. I don't know how good, but it will be fascinating to watch and it looks like it will have a good ending for the Jaguars.
Stan from Jacksonville
Is Christian McCaffrey REALLY that much better than Fournette, or is our O-line that much worse?
Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey is the best offensive player in the NFL who doesn't play quarterback, and he played like it Sunday.
Tim from Jacksonville
Does this team have linebackers?
Yes.
Tom from Charleston, SC
It is become totally obvious that the players have no respect for this organization. Two years of no discipline is all the proof that is necessary to prove that the players have no desire to hold themselves or their teammates accountable. Carolina's first touchdown was a gift delivered by an uninspiring defense that is surely overrated. This defense is nowhere near "special or elite". They are not even middle of the pack. Two years of being continuously near the top of the league as the most penalized team is unacceptable. You can try to spin it if you want. But until they prove otherwise, this locker room is out of control. It is easy to see why Ramsey and others want out. Time for changes from top to bottom.
That was your takeaway from Sunday? Really? Not the comeback? Not the quarterback? Not Chark? Not rallying on the road? Changes from top to bottom? Really?
Jacob from New York
It's never coaching. So what's wrong with our defense?
Who said it's never coaching?
Logan from Wichita, KS
Norwell needs to be cut YESTERDAY!!!!! He is an even worse guard signing than Zane Beatles, pathetic waste of money.
Norwell won't be cut this season, but you can't compare Norwell and Beadles. Beadles was signed with the idea of getting the Jaguars through a couple of years during a rebuild; Norwell was brought in with the idea that he would be one of the better players on the team and solidify a strong offensive line. That the latter hasn't happened is far more disappointing than anything do with Beadles.
