Jaguars vs Raiders Recap: 5 Things

The Jaguars suck. But not all of them suck. Mostly just the head coach and the QB. Here's 5 things to remember from the Jaguars loss to the Raiders. 

By Jordan de Lugo

PRESENTED BY

1. Blake Bortles has regressed

Based on the number Bortles is only a little bit worse than he was in 2015 in most categories, but his TDs are way down. The name of the game for young QBs in the NFL is get better or your getting worse. So by being about the same QB he was in his sophomore campaign, he's actually gotten much worse. Bortles can't consistently deliver short to intermediate throws on time and he isn't being given the opportunity to make a ton of throws down field. On top of that his decision making has been absolutely atrocious which has led to him being pick offed 9 times in only 6 games. It seems like a lot of QBs numbers are down in 2016, but that doesn't matter for the Jaguars and Blake Bortles, what matter is the fact that it's beginning to look like Bortles might have been a terrible draft pick with players like Teddy Bridgewater and Derek Carr on the board. Yikes

2. So has Allen Robinson

A-Rob is a shell of his former self. The wide receiver that recorded 1,400 yards and 14 TDs in 2015 has seemingly vanished. Replacing him is a big receiver that can't separate from defensive backs and routinely drops open passes. I'm not saying Robinson can't or won't turn it around at some point this year. But with a QB who can't deliver the ball consistently and an offensive coordinator that is being out schemed by every defensive coordinator he faces, it's hard to imagine things turning around quickly. 

3. But not Marqise Lee

Lee has become the most consistent offensive weapon for the Jaguars in 2016, by a long shot. Against the Raiders Lee was perhaps the lone bright spot on the offensive side of the ball as racked up 107 yards on 7 catches. It was his first 100 yard game as a pro and while the rest of the offense seems to be a sinking ship, Lee looks like the only player good enough to survive. It's now wholly clear why the Jaguars were so fond of Lee when they drafted him with the 39th overall pick in the 2014 draft. For the first time in his career Lee is leading the team in yards and receptions. 

4. And how bout Jalen Ramsey?

Jalen Ramsey shadowed Amari Cooper the whole game. And gave up nothing. Derek Carr wouldn't even look Cooper's way in this one. It's so apparent now that teams don't want to throw Ramsey's way. It's incredible how quickly he has become an elite defender in this league. It's hard for me to remember a player ever being so good, so quickly on the defensive side of the ball for the Jaguars, but Ramsey is clearly a man amongst boys. Let's hope that he doesn't fall into the complacency trap that so many of his young teammates find themselves in at this point.

5. What has happened to this once promising young group?

I think a lot of it has to do with bad coaching. I think a lot of it has to do with complacency by this team's young stars. I think it also has to do with the fact that these young offensive players just aren't as good as they looked in 2015. They're also not as bad as they've looked in 2016. If I was Shad Khan and Dave Caldwell, Gus would have been gone before this season ever started, and he would sure as hell be gone by now. But the Jaguars seem content to allow the terrible play to continue. The bright side? There is still a TON of young talent on the Jaguars roster and they're not anywhere near eliminated from the AFC South division race. And they play their division rival the Titans on Thursday night this week. And Gus Bradley has never lost on Thursday Night. 

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