Jaguars vs Chargers Recap: 5 Things

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The Jaguars got whipped by the Chargers on Sunday. Here's what we saw.
By Jordan de Lugo - @jordandelugo

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1. The Jaguars were out coached 

It was plain to see that the Jaguars weren't prepared to take on Phillip Rivers and the Chargers. Despite playing without their best offensive weapon Keenan Allen, who is out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, the Chargers offense was ready to light the Jaguars defense up. They started the game out on offense with great tempo and the Jaguars simply weren't prepared to keep up with the fast pace offense. The Chargers head coach Mike McCoy and quarterback Phillip Rivers knew where they could take advantage  of the Jaguars defense and exacted their plan to perfection. On several occasions the Chargers got a wide receiver lined up with Paul Posluszny, who can't keep up with anyone in coverage. From a schematic stand point the two coaching jobs weren't even close. Gus Bradley got embarrassed by Mike McCoy. 

2. Penalties, Penalties, Penalties

The Jaguars had 14 penalties. 14 penalties. It's been a common theme for the Jaguars early on this season and in the preseason. They can't seem to get out of their own way. At some point coaching has to be good enough to get the penalties under control. It's not and it doesn't appear that there is any sign that the penalty situation will get better. I guess this could have gone under the Jaguars being out coached, but at this point it needed a category of it's own. The penalty situation must improve in order for the Jaguars to have a chance to win games. 

3. Blake Bortles must be better

For two straight weeks Blake Bortles has been picked off in the first quarter on the Jaguars side of the field when throwing to Marqise Lee. On both throws Bortles was just a bit behind Lee and on both throws the ball was tipped around in the air before being secured by the Jaguars opponent.  These poor throws both lead to a short field for the opponent which in turn lead to touchdowns which in turn lead to the Jaguars getting down early. For a team that harped on the whole fast start to games idea all offseason, they have done just the opposite. Later on in the first half Bortles lazily clutched the football when under duress in the pocket and got stripped, and of course the ball landed right in the arms of Chargers defensive tackle Corey Liuget. Late in the second quarter Bortles had the offense moving the ball and then, of course, he made a horrendous throw that actually looked like it was thrown to the defender instead of the intended target Allen Hurns. The bottom line in this one is Bortles made a lot of mistakes. Even without the two interceptions, he still missed on a lot of throws and had 19 incompletions in the game. He'll need to get better, and quick, as the Jaguars play host to a talented Ravens defense this Sunday. 

4. Ngakoue and Fowler took big steps 

Late in the first half the Chargers had the ball in the red zone and were looking to extend their lead to 28-0. Jaguars rookie pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue had other plans. He was able to record his first ever strip sack which lead to a turnover and allowed the Jaguars stay in the game, at least for the moment. On the play Yannick used an outside rush but then at the last moment he athletically moved inside of the Chargers right tackle on a swim move and swiped the ball from the hands of Phillip Rivers. Later in the first half Fowler got in on the action too. He got big pressure on Phillip Rivers that lead to an incompletion. On the play Fowler hesitated to start and then exploded past the right tackle into the pocket. In the second half Fowler got the first 2 sacks of his career. Both players are showing flashes, which is a HUGE positive for the Jaguars young defense. 

5. Myles Jack needs to play

The Jaguars coaching staff clearly doesn't feel that Myles is ready to step in and play middle linebacker yet. The issue is Paul Posluszny can't cover anyone. He was routinely beat in coverage in this one and will continue to get beat as long as the Jaguars have him covering wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs. Myles Jack excels in coverage and has proven that he can lay the wood when he arrives at the ball carrier. Jack needs to be playing for the Jaguars. He's likely the second or third most talented player on the defensive side of the ball. A side that has given up 27 and 38 points in the first two games. Will he make some mistakes? Sure, any rookie is going to have mistakes, but is he going to routinely get burned in coverage? The answer to that question is no. Get the kid in the game and see what he can do, because you already know what Posluszny can do -- get beat. 

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