Hurricanes win, Gators, FSU UCF lose | College Football wrapup video
The Hurricanes dominate Syracuse, while the Gators lose to Kentucky, FSU loses to Clemson, UCF loses to Houston.
Grading the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 36-29 loss to the Houston Texans on Nov. 9, at Houston’s NRG Stadium.
The Jaguars (5-4) return home for the first time in a month on Nov. 16 when they play host to the Los Angeles Chargers at EverBank Stadium (1 p.m., CBS).
Offense: F
The offense struggled during the first half and fourth quarter, only showing a spark during the third period in which they scored on two drives to take a 29-10 lead into the fourth quarter. The offense had short fields when the Jags took a 10-0 lead in the first period, thanks to turnovers, and there was only one decent drive, an 11-play, 58-yard possession in the third quarter.
The offensive line gave up five sacks and numerous hits on Trevor Lawrence, and he had an interception for the second game in a row and two turnovers for the first time since week two. The Jags tried to force the issue with the run, but the Texans held them to less than 100 yards. And free advice to Liam Coen: that Wildcat with Travis Etienne taking direct snaps ain’t fooling anyone, no matter what wrinkles are used.
And as much criticism as the defense is going to get (and all of it deserved), the offense could have helped by holding the ball longer. After Etienne’s touchdown late in the third period, the Jags had two three-and-outs, finished off their final possession with Lawrence’s sack/fumble, and had 9 total yards on 10 plays.
Defense: F
For anyone believing this defense is vastly improved over last year, think again. Yes, turnovers have increased but the pass rush remains nonexistent and while Jarrian Jones got an interception early in the game, the Jaguars could have used a takeaway or at least a big sack in the second half. And chew on this: the defense has given up four scoring drives of 90 yards or longer, three in the fourth quarter and two to win the game.
Once again, a backup quarterback riddled them as Davis Lee threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for the game-winning score. Lee converted six third- or fourth-down plays in the fourth quarter, with three touchdowns on third down and a 20-yard pass completion on third-and-10. He’s now 3-1 as a starter against the Jaguars.
Special teams: A
What a waste of a stellar effort. The Jaguars’ special teams got a touchdown (Parker Washington’s 72-yard punt return), three field goals in three attempts for Cam Little (one from 53 yards) and a turnover that led to points (Danny Striggow‘s recovery of a fumble kickoff forced by Ventrell Miller, leading to Washington’s 7-yard TD pass from Lawrence). Bhayshul Tuten‘s 41-yard kickoff return to the Jaguars’ 45 after the Texans cut the score to 29-25 should have been a spark for the offense but Lawrence couldn’t convert a third-and-four.
Intangibles: F
Coen played some strange games with timeouts, leaving two in his pocket near the end of the first half and then watching two get spent with more than 13 minutes left in the game. Yeah, he’s got a great offensive mind, but force-feeding the Wildcat despite the stunning lack of success in the last two games smacks a bit of stubbornness.
This was a great opportunity to put the Texans down for good in the divisional race, enabling the Jaguars to focus on two games against the Colts in December. If the Jaguars come one game away from making the playoffs, this is the one that will haunt them. There’s also a lack of killer instinct that needs to start with taking backup quarterbacks, chewing them up and spitting them out, instead of making them look like All-Pros, and holding three-score leads in the fourth quarter.