By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
JACKSONVILLE – To play or not to play?
That will be the burning question facing Trevor Lawrence before kickoff in Tennessee tomorrow.
The decision to play the Jags quarterback with a bad shoulder will be a gametime decision for head coach Doug Pederson with a playoff berth on the line. Truthfully, I believe Lawrence isn’t fully recovered from a high ankle sprain he incurred against the Bengals a few weeks ago as well as possibly dealing with the aftereffects from his recent concussion.
The franchise is a walking wounded who likely will give it a go unless there is very limited mobility. Lawrence’s tolerance for pain has obviously shown to be pretty high.
CJ Beathard is a campbell backup who did a serviceable job against Carolina last week, despite not being able to find the end zone enough. Thankfully for Jags’ fans, Brandon McManus found his mark again with four field goals, and the Jags’ defense rose to the occasion
If Beathard gets the nod again, the Jags will need a replay from their Carolina cruise last Sunday with McManus, the defense, and running back Travis Etienne – front and center.
It can be down against a Titans team that is 5-1, losers of three straight and seven of their last nine. Head coach Mike Vrable and running back Derrick Henry appeared to be headed out the back door with a total rebuilt set to begin.
The Jaguars will clash with a team that has nothing left to play in their home finale, a place where the Jags have won only twice in their last 10 visits, the latest last year in a 36-22 victory.
Yet, we shouldn’t have been at this point. However, good teams find a way.
At one point, Jacksonville was rolling with an 11-3 record, and the thought of a holiday No. 1 seed danced in their heads. Maybe the Jags started to thoroughly read and believe their press clippings, too.
They entered a Monday Night showdown with the Bengals who started rookie Jake Browning at quarterback. The town was alive and buzzing with all of the excitement and euphoria of a home playoff game. The Jags were center stage for the nation to see.
Instead of an anticipated celebration that was evident through the first half, the game began a string of four frustrating flops that brought the team to its current state.
Yes, Lawrence deserves some of the blame for his errant throws and fumbles, but this needs to be pinned on the defense for its porous play.
The Jags let the Bengals game slip away, and they were rampaged by the Ravens. They fell short in a battle in Cleveland, and were exposed by Baker Mayfield, whose shine has worn off a bit.
You can also look at their 3-5 record at Everbank Stadium this season, the most disturbing a 37-17 blowout by Houston in Week Three after a 17-9 loss to the Chiefs at the Bank.
So, here are the Jags playing for a division title Sunday instead of a meaningless game. They should have had that task already wrapped up and figuring out their postseason post instead.
Still, good teams always find a way. With or without Lawrence Sunday in Tennessee, the Jags have to find a way.
