The Jacksonville Jaguars’ strength is an offense led by Trevor Lawrence. Trent Baalke and Doug Pederson have assembled an impressive array of weapons for the 275 million-dollar man to utilize in 2024. The running back tandem of Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby is a solid duo. Evan Engram is an underrated weapon at tight end, and the receiving corps of holdover Christian Kirk and new additions Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabriel Davis is a talented trio.
The Jaguars are returning home after a painful loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 1. Lawrence and his new-look unit put up an impressive 17 first-half points before collapsing in the third quarter after an Etienne fumble in the red zone. Lawrence and the offense did hold the ball for more than four plays for the rest of the game. Jacksonville fell apart and watched Tua Tagovailoa post what will hopefully not be his last outstanding comeback performance in the NFL.
Jaguars Brian Thomas Jr Impressive Debut
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The Jaguars selected Thomas in the first round of the NFL draft, and it didn’t take long to figure out why against former Jaguars All-Pro Jalen Ramsey. On first and ten from the Jaguars 41-yard line on the game’s second possession, Lawrence looked deep down the middle for his rookie receiver. Thomas drew a 40-yard pass interference penalty on Ramsey, who seemed overmatched on the play. Etienne punched the ball in on the next play, and the Jaguars scored the first points in 2024.
Lawrence and Thomas were not done. The Jaguars quarterback targeted Thomas twice, including a 14-yard touchdown pass that gave Jacksonville a 14-point lead on their fourth possession of the game. The Dolphins adjusted and helped Ramsey after the second Jacksonville touchdown. After drawing a 40-yard pass interference and catching a touchdown pass on his first three NFL targets, the Jaguars only went to him twice more for the rest of the game. It will be interesting to see if the Browns entrust Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II to cover Thomas one-on-one after his performance against Ramsey in Week 1.
Travis Etienne Jr Must Shake Off Costly Fumble
NFL running backs who fumble take up immediate residency in the head coach’s dog house. It is even worse when the fumble comes in the red zone on what would have likely been the kill shot for the Jaguars against the Dolphins. Pederson showed faith in the former first-round draft pick and allowed him to carry the ball three more times after the fumble for 16 yards, but it did not pump life back into a listless offense that did not manage another first down after the fumble.
Etienne might be part of a tandem with Bigsby, but he is a crucial part of the Jaguars offense. He must produce at a high level in the passing game. The Jaguars elected to pick up his fifth-year option heading into the 2024 season and view him as important to their success for the next two seasons. The Jaguars lost to the Browns when they played them in December last season. Jacksonville posted 27 points against the Browns vaunted defense, and Etienne scored a touchdown and posted over 70 yards of all-purpose offense. The Jaguars will need to put his fumble in Miami behind him to be effective against a unit embarrassed by the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1.
Final Thoughts
The Jaguars offense faces an arguably tougher test in Week 2 than it did against the high-flying Dolphins in Week 1. The pressure was on for what was supposed to be a track meet in Miami, which turned into a defensive struggle that was aided by sloppy play on both sides. The Cleveland defense was touted as a great unit heading into 2024, and they were utterly embarrassed by the Cowboys in Week 1.
The Browns surrendered two 70+ yard touchdown drives before stiffening to hold the Cowboys to four field goals for the remainder of the game for 26 points. Dallas also returned a punt for a touchdown. Cleveland’s defense has to perform at a high level to compensate for an anemic offense led by Deshaun Watson to win games. The Jaguars offense can make an impressive statement if they can post enough points to send the Browns deeper into the AFC North basement.
What do you think, Total Apex sports fans? Will the Jaguars offense be impressive for both halves against Cleveland in Week 2, or will they do just enough to slip by at home? Let me know what you think! Please comment below or on my X: @thebubbasq.
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