JACKSONVILLE – The search continues.
Still, while the Jaguars continue to deal with many of the same issues that have hurt them much of the season, Head Coach Gus Bradley said Monday that process can't stop.
Yes, the questions remain the same, but the search for answers must continue in the final three games.
"I really want our attention on, 'Let's find a remedy,'" Bradley said Monday, a day after the Jaguars' 27-13 loss to the Houston Texans at EverBank Field. "That's what leadership is. Sometimes pride can get in the way, so I think it's more important that we keep humility so we find answers.
"We play good ball at times. We do some really good things. We're just not doing it consistently. It sounds like a broken record because it's been like that at times through the year. We just have to really pay attention to those things.
"I'd love to see us the next three opportunities start playing even more consistently."
The Jaguars are 2-11 with games remaining at Baltimore, at home against Tennessee December 18 and at Houston in the December 28 regular-season finale.
Also around the Jaguars Monday:
*Bradley praised the offensive line, saying it played "pretty well." The Jaguars allowed four sacks Sunday, with Pro Bowl defensive end J.J. Watt registering three. Bradley said one of Watt's sacks came on a bootleg, with another on a sprint pass when quarterback Blake Bortles slipped and another when he beat right tackle Sam Young. The Jaguars also rushed for 74 yards on 22 carries. "When you look at it across the board, they did a pretty good job," Bradley said. "I was pleased with the offensive line – that aspect, protection-wise." Bradley said Bortles did a better job this week getting rid of the ball to avoid sacks than last week against the New York Giants. …
*Asked specifically about rookie right guard Brandon Linder, Bradley said, "He played pretty well yesterday. He's just really strong in there, really stout. He has probably made the greatest stride in the offensive line." Bradley also said veteran left guard Zane Beadles played "much better" Sunday. "The consistency is showing," Bradley said of Beadles. …
*Bradley said overall he was pleased with Bortles Sunday. Bradley said the Jaguars had five drops Sunday and the Texans also had eight passes defensed. Bortles completed 20 of 39 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown with an interception. "I thought he had that freedom that was back into his game, and did some good things there,'' Bradley said.
*Bradley also addressed wide receiver Cecil Shorts III, who was targeted 10 times with two receptions for three yards and two drops Sunday. "He's sick about the drops," Bradley said. "He made some plays. He turned some short-yardage plays into bigger ones, but we have to get him going. He's obviously a strength of that receiver room as a player and as a leader. It helps our whole team when we get him going. We have to look to find ways to do that, then he has to take advantage of it when it comes his way." …
*Bradley said a first-half unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on linebacker Telvin Smith for hitting Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson Sunday was "a good call." Bradley said while there was little Smith could have done differently, the helmet-to-helmet nature of the hit made it the correct call. "We all know that world and I'm in favor of the call," Bradley said. …
*The team announced it will update the status of wide receiver Tommy Streeter (oblique), linebacker Khairi Fortt (hamstring) and defensive end Andre Branch (groin) later in the week. All three missed Sunday's game. …
*Defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks sustained a neck strain Sunday, but is expected to practice Wednesday. …
