Inconsistent Jaguars now focused on fixing 3rd-down issues

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) celebrates his…

“We got off to a hot start, that’s for sure, and we have struggled really the last two months and haven’t played the way that we’re capable of”, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said. The Falcons consistently had one of the NFL’s best success rates on opening drives since drafting Matt Ryan in 2008, but the first 13 games this year netted only zero touchdowns, four field goals, seven punts and two turnovers to start the game. Otherwise, Ryan played a strong game despite having limited receiving options on Sunday. But officials reviewed the play and put 2 seconds back on the clock, allowing Shayne Graham to end the half with a 34-yard field goal that put Atlanta up 17-3. “They’re going to come out and play as hard as they can and give us everything that they got”. He then raced 84 yards to the 16-yard line before Bortles was able to trip him up. Bortles is sitting on 30 touchdowns through 13 games and is showing no signs of slowing down. Devonta Freeman ran 25 times for 56 yards and scored for the first time since Week 6. Wide receiver Allen Hurns, though, should be fine to go despite the myriad injuries that have dogged him all year. He caught six passes for 79 yards Sunday and he’s a force on third downs. Jones broke Roddy White‘s season receptions record in this game with his nine catches for 118 yards and a touchdown, his seventh of the season. But Bortles overthrew Allen Hurns down the middle of the field on third down and then misfired to Robinson on fourth.

“Every receiver is different, every receiver’s style is different so I think that’s the big thing”, Bradley explained.

“They were another team that lost some games, but was a talented team”, Bortles said of the Chargers.

“I’m excited to get this opportunity; I have to make the most of it”, Robinson said.

The Jaguars fell to 5-9 and all but took themselves out of playoff consideration in the AFC South Division.

The Falcons had been close a number of times during their losing streak, dropping games by one, three (twice) and four points. They have not been told by the National Football League they were eliminated, so the Falcons think they are mathematically alive. The team would need to beat the New Orleans Saints next week and also beat the Houston Texans in Week 17. “Yeldon has a knee sprain and Toby Gerhart was recently placed on injured reserve, meaning not only would Robinson be the likely starter if Yeldon misses time, he shouldn’t have as much competition for carries. We really need to take a look at that and try to get some extra reps in those situations, because both sides of the ball need it”.

It’s encouraging for Jaguars fans to see the investment they made in Bortles, who is still just 23, paying off in a big way this season at least statistically. This came as a bit of a shock to me, but as a guy who enjoys a good sit-down session with the Red Zone channel, I guess it shouldn’t have. Up by just three points late in the fourth quarter, this improvement made an enormous difference and, in the end, helped bring Atlanta back to.