The Jaguars saw a glimpse of what the new starting quarterback, Nick Foles, can bring to the team.
After tossing a BEAUTIFUL 35-yard touchdown pass to second-year receiver D.J. Chark, Foles headed straight into the x-ray room and was declared out for the game pretty quickly.
First TD pass for Nick Foles as a member of the #Jaguars: DJ Chark comes down with an incredible 35-yard TD grab pic.twitter.com/Usjn3KgbCL
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) September 8, 2019
This seemed like it would ultimately be the downfall of the Jaguars in today’s loss, but it wasn’t.
In fact, rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew came in and actually played outstanding in his rookie debut considering had to come into the game so abruptly. Minshew finished the day 22-25, 275 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He also started the game with a perfect 13-13 in his debut.
Gardner Minshew is out here ballin out 💪 @GardnerMinshew5 pic.twitter.com/t8IUnsGrqA
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 8, 2019
The downfall was the defense and perhaps, even the coaching in today’s 40-26 loss.
The defense did not play well today. They gave up 40 points today and played very undisciplined throughout the game.
Yes, it was against Patrick Mahomes and the electric Chiefs offense. But even then, the Jaguars failed to cause any turnovers and failed to record any sacks as well.
Even with the Chiefs losing Tyreek Hill on a Jalen Ramsey hit, the Chiefs still found several ways to gash this defense. Especially Sammy Watkins, who had a field day against the Jaguars.
Watkins recorded 9 receptions, and barely missed the 200-yard mark with 198 receiving yards. He also added 3 touchdowns on the day. With one of those against Jalen Ramsey.
Sammy Watkins with the touchdown trifecta 3⃣ @sammywatkins pic.twitter.com/se9mUHiTXT
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 8, 2019
On top of all of that, the team as a whole committed 10 penalties and there is definitely a problem with discipline on this team. Newly payed starting linebacker Myles Jack was also ejected in the first quarter after a tussle with a couple chiefs players. That should NOT be happening.
The coaching staff need to get this under control this week, not next week, THIS WEEK. You can’t win games if you shoot yourself in the foot repeatedly.
The Jaguars will look to bounce back next week in the first divisional game against the Houston Texans.
Nick Foles looks like he will be missing several games with what apparently is a fractured collarbone injury.
#Jaguars QB Nick Foles suffered a fracture clavicle. He’s out indefinitely.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 8, 2019
Gardner Minshew is now the starting quarterback for the Jaguars, and it is amazing to me that that is not the biggest concern. Geez, it might even be one of the few positives currently.
The Jaguars defense needs to come out next week and prove that today was just a fluke and they are still one of the best defenses in the league.
The team as a whole, players and coaches, will need to discipline themselves and play a good game of football in order to avoid starting the season 0-2.
Jags fans, despite losing Nick Foles for several games, this team still has a shot. It’s only Week 1, do not overreact and lose hope just yet. Go Jaguars.
