(Photo by Charles Massey/Florida Sports Wire)
Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
JACKSONVILLE – This Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers at Everbank Stadium likely was the game where backup quarterback C.J. Beathard would see some playing time or possibly start.
Five weeks ago, the Jags had a seemingly commanding hold on the AFC South with an overall 8-3 record, and would likely wrap up the division in a few weeks.
The Carolina game in Week 17 seemed like a game where Beathard running backs Tank Brigsby and D’Ernest Johnson, and wide receiver Parker Washington would see some times. Heck, the Panthers only had one win at a time, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to rest some starters.
However, as Felix Unger of The Odd Couple pointed out in an episode, never A-S-S-U-M-E..you get the point..
Well, Beathard and Washington will get the start Sunday, but it will be for an entirely different reason.
Starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence was ruled out Saturday with a shoulder sprain, and wide receiver Zay Jones is questionable and will be a game-time decision. Fellow receiver Christian Kirk is done for the year.
And the Jags are now faced with a must-win over the 2-13 Panthers to keep their hold on the AFC South.
Their uncharacteristic four-game slide since their 8-3 start has left the now 8-7 Jags in a precarious situation, yet still with some wiggle room. They do have the tie-breaker over the 8-7 Colts (with two previous victories), but not the 8-7 Texans (whom they split the season series).
Indy will host the rising Raiders Sunday, and Houston will host the Titans.
But this is about the Jags winning their final two games, ending the season in Tennessee next Sunday. They control their own destiny and need to keep it.
Beathard will make his first start since Week 17 of the 2020 season when he was with the 49ers, and he has a 2-10 record as a starter.
He is a seven-year veteran, and has completed 23 of 29 passes this season for 171 yards with a touchdown. He rallied the Jags to a near comeback victory over the Bengals when he completed nine of 10 passes for 63 yards.
Beathard is capable, but he is no Lawrence. The veteran will need the help of running back Travis Etienne, who has been struggling with his inconsistencies over the past month as well as play calling that abandoned the running game too early at times.
Brandon McManus also is a major factor, as the always reliable kicker has made only one of his last five attempts.
Still, the biggest factor is the Jags’ defense. They have been manhandled and exploited the past month, and they need to regain their once lofty status, notably against the run where they were once ranked fourth.
The secondary appears to be back in shape,and they will need to clamp down on Panthers’ Bryce Young, who appears to have found his comfort zone.They can’t take anything for granted
This wasn’t the kind of finish that anyone expected in the Jaguars’ camp.
It certainly has materialized as a state of desperation from a state of high expectations. At this point, the Jags can’t take anything for granted.
Jacksonville should corral Carolina Sunday at the Bank, but the past four weeks have taught everyone never to assume anything.
