The Jacksonville Jaguars continue their unfortunate streak of losses with a 24-20 defeat against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in the AFC South division matchup.
Taking a closer look at the game, Travis Holmes provides some key observations from the televised gameplay review. It’s important to note that this analysis is based on the non-all-22 film and is shared before the release of PFF grades to maintain an unbiased perspective. This approach may have some limitations, especially when evaluating the performance of the secondary. Let’s dive into the analysis.
On the defensive side of the ball:
1) The Jaguars’ secondary saw less rotation this week due to injuries.
2) It was interesting to see the team utilize Cisco more in a strong safety role in the absence of Savage, leading to some adjustments in assignments. This forced players like Antonio Johnson into roles they may not be best suited for, affecting the team’s ability to defend effectively.
3) Cornerback Ronald Darby struggled against Texans wide receiver Nico Collins, who seemed to be the focal point of Houston’s game plan. Darby had difficulties in various coverage situations, allowing Collins to make key plays when needed.
4) Despite being solid against the run for most of the game, the Jaguars continued to struggle with tackling running backs in open field situations. This has been a persistent issue for the team throughout the season.
5) Former Jaguar Dare Ogunbowale made a significant impact for the Texans, particularly with his ability to force missed tackles. Ogunbowale’s contributions, including a crucial game-winning touchdown and key first downs, proved to be decisive in Houston’s victory.
The Jaguars’ defense faced challenges in containing the Texans’ offense, especially in critical situations where missed tackles and coverage lapses were exposed. As the team looks to bounce back from this loss, addressing these defensive issues will be crucial moving forward.
