By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
JACKSONVILLE – It’s National Night Out II for the Jaguars.
As you know, the first one against Cincinnati didn’t work out well. This one needs to be better.
With a loss in Cleveland last week, the Jaguars (8-5) are faced with a near must win situation against Baltimore (10-3) Sunday night at Everbank Stadium.
However, don’t blame Trevor Lawrence for the loss in Cleveland last Sunday.
Lawrence obviously wasn’t at full strength in his valiant effort. He often threw into traffic, and his three interceptions were badly thrown. Many times, Lawrence couldn’t throw off his back foot and simply relied on arm strength.
For him, simply being in the lineup was enough. Lawrence was an inspiration throughout most of the game.
However, don’t pin this latest loss on Lawrence.
This one can be on the Jaguars’ defense.With their recent showings, the Jaguars’ pass defense has slipped to 31st, allowing 265 yards passing per game and the second-worst passing touchdown passing total (22 tied with Cardinals). The Jaguars’ rush defense is still a hallmark, ranked fourth allowing 92.2 yards per game.
For the past two weeks, the Jags’ defense hasn’t been able to stop Jake Browning and Joe Flacco.
Think about that. Browning made his second career start, and Flacco is on the other side of 38.
Browning lit up the Jags’ defense for 354 yards on a near pinpoint 32-of-37 performance. The Jags’ got to him twice. Flacco completed 31 of 45 attempts for 311 yards with three touchdowns. He was sacked once.
The Cincinnati game is the one that may haunt the Jags’ They had the excitement and euphoria of the city behind them in their first Monday Night appearance since 2011.
I’m sure the downtown area will be buzzing again before the Baltimore game, but this time it is with mixed feelings instead of an anticipatory victory in the air. Instead, there will be a blend of anxiety and confidence.
Lamar Jackson and the top-seeded Ravens will be the Bank Sunday night. They are coming off an emotional overtime victory over the Rams. Baltimore has won seven of their last eight.
Jackson has 644 yards rushing to lead the league’s top unit. This will be a showdown with the Jags’ stingy rushing defense.
Along with his rushing totals, Jackson has thrown for 2.934 yards with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. Gus Edwards has added 605 yards on the ground.
Odell Beckham has revived his career with the Ravens, catching 31 balls behind Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews to form an effective trifecta.
Defensively, the Ravens are ranked fourth against the pass and 12th against the rush.
On the other hand, the Jaguars have dropped two straight, even though the defeats have been by a combined total of seven points.
Should the Jags lose, they still would have a hold on the AFC South with Indianapolis struggling and Houston without quarterback C.J. Stroud. However, a loss doesn’t give them much breathing room.
It’s National Night Out iI Sunday, and the Jags need a better ending.
(SportsDay Columnist Jeff Moeller writes about the NFL for the Florida Sports Wire)
