3 AREAS THE JAGUARS MUST IMPROVE TO WIN ON THURSDAY NIGHT

David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire

The Jaguars have been failing in some critical aspects of the game. They'll need to flip the script to earn their first win of the season. 
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BY JORDAN DE LUGO

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The Jaguars came as close as you can get to earning a win in week two. On a desperate two-point try in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, Leonard Fournette came up just short. 

The Jags fell to 0-2 on the season, and just hours later, Jalen Ramsey's agent requested a trade. 

But the Jaguars have a game to play on Thursday night against their arch-rival, Tennessee. To avoid a devastating 0-3 start to 2019, and even more drama, Jacksonville needs to pick up their first W of the season. 

But to do that, they'll need to improve in several areas.

Offensive line play

Jax's O-Line played an excellent game in week one against the Chiefs. They surrendered just one sack and opened holes in the running game to the tune of over five yards per attempt. But in week two they regressed in a big way. The Texans decided to blitz early and often last Sunday, effectively overwhelming the Jacksonville offensive line. But the Jaguars could have help on the way. Starting left tackle Cam Robinson practiced fully on Tuesday and could be in line to return to the field on Thursday.  If Robinson returns to the starting lineup, it will allow Will Richardson to shift back to right guard and bump AJ Cann out of the starting lineup. That's fantastic news for the Jaguars — Cann has allowed a team-high ten pressures in 2019. The Titans have wrangled opposing QBs to the ground eight times already this year. But they have allowed over five yards per carry on the ground. The Jaguars will need to be able to run the ball. 

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Tackling

The Jaguars' tackling has been, well, let's just say not pretty. As a team, they've missed 17 tackles in two games. If they hope to slow down Derrick Henry and the Titans' running game, the Jaguars' defenders will need to be much more efficient tacklers. Derrick Henry ran wild over the Jaguars in 2018. To prevent Henry from doing the same in 2019, tackling will be critical.

Penalties

The Jaguars have been shooting themselves in the foot time and time again. On both sides of the ball, the Big Cats have been heavily penalized. On offense, holding calls have ended far too many drives. On defense, personal fouls and holding calls have extended many a drive for opponents. With 19 penalties called against them, the Jaguars are the fifth most penalized team in 2019. Another penalty-filled game for Jax is unlikely to lead to their first victory of the young season. 

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