By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
JACKSONVILLE – For the Jaguars, the difference to get to the postseason can be between 2.5 percent of chance to 32 percent.
That will be the difference between the team winning or losing at 2-0 Buffalo Monday night.
If they win, the Jags’ 1-2 record would give them a 32 percent chance of making the playoffs, If they lose, their 0-3 record would give them a 2.5 percent chance for a ticket to the postseason.
To say that this is a huge game is an understatement. Winning against Buffalo could be as challenging as driving through the city in a blinding snowstorm.
It will be about sheer and unbound determination, motivation, and some luck.
With this Jaguars team, it has been about a sense of urgency. They don’t appear to be playing with that in mind. Last week’s overall lackluster effort was recognized by the Browns, who took full advantage of it.
Cleveland’s offense was adequate at best, but the Browns took full advantage of the Jags’ sluggish effort. The Jaguars’ offense needed to play with more purpose, and the defense bent and didn’t break.
Trevor Lawrence is coming off a pedestrian 14 of 30, 220-yard, one touchdown performance against Cleveland, and he has a total of 382 yards with just one touchdown in two games. It’s an offense that has generated
That’s far from the start head coach Doug Pederson and offensive coordinator Press Taylor envisioned for Lawrence. They saw Lawrence elevating his passing game, especially with the addition of top pick receiver Bryan Thomas and free -agent receiver Gabe Davis.
Along with Lawrence struggling, running back Travis Etienne has 96 total yards. Fortunately, Thomas has continued to raise his game, and Davis has proved to be a valuable pickup.
In two games, they have scored a combined 30 points, accumulated 550 total yards, and allowed seven sacks.
The defense had allowed 19 points per game and 451 total yards. That should be good enough for the offense.
So far, it hasn’t been good enough.
Lawrence stated this week that the team is in harmony and there isn’t any dissent among the troops.His claims are likely true, as there hasn’t been any reports about any locker room issues.
Instead, it’s all about intensity and focus.The level and focus will need to be heightened and sharpened.
If it isn’t Monday night, the odds for an anticipated postseason bid will be lost in the cold, Buffalo night.
What are the odds of a 0-3 NFL team going to the playoffs? Dating back to 1990, just four of 158 teams to start 0-3 make the postseason (2.5%). Just two of those 158 won their division (1.3%) and none won the Super Bow
