O-LINE DESERVES CREDIT FOR OFFENSIVE TURNAROUND

The Jaguars offensive line has had a major turnaround in the last two weeks.

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The Jaguars offense has done a complete 180 in the last two weeks. After losing to the Arizona Cardinals in week 12 the Jaguars offense appeared dead in the water. Blake Bortles was struggling to complete throws down the field. Receivers were dropping easy catches. The running game was floundering. The heavily injured offensive line was struggling to pass protect and to create space in the run game.

The Jaguars were 7-4 and tied for first place in the AFC South, but the team was clearly headed in the wrong direction  . . . or so I thought.

Since then the turnaround on the offensive side of the ball has been nothing short of remarkable. In the Jaguars last two games the offense has been phenomenal, posting 30 points in week 13 against the Colts, and matching that score in week 14 against the Seahawks.

Blake Bortles has played at an MVP like level over the two game stretch, while his receivers and running backs have gotten the job done when their number has been called. The quarterback and the skill position players deserve a ton of credit.

But perhaps the most impressive group on the offensive side of the ball has been the offensive line. During the middle of the season the Jaguars offensive line was decimated by injuries. Cam Robinson suffered a sprained ankle in week seven against the Colts, and while he didn't miss a single game after suffering the injury, it was clear that he wasn't 100%. Starting left guard Patrick Omameh and starting right tackle Jermey Parnell had both been struggling through injuries and were both forced to miss some time. The offensive line's struggles came to a head in the desert when the Jaguars offense was steamrolled by the Cardinals defense. The intense pressure dialed up by the Cardinals in that one exposed the offensive line and left the rest of the offense in shambles. 

Since then the offensive line has, once again, become a bright spot for the Jaguars. Against the Colts the Jaguars offensive line allowed just one sack. It was an impressive performance, but many chalked it up as the Jaguars picking on a bottom five team in the NFL. No one, however,  can discredit what the Jaguars were able to do against the Seahawks on Sunday. The offensive line didn't allow a single sack against the vaunted Seahawks front. They also paved the way for a 156 yard rushing performance by the Jaguars backfield. 

There's no doubt about - the Jaguars offense has picked up some serious momentum over the last two games. The quarterback and skill position players have stepped up their game in a big way, but none of it would be possible without the return to a high level of play by the offensive line.

If the Jaguars O-Line can keep up the strong play the sky is the limit for this Jaguars offense. 

Stay tuned for more.

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