(Game photo by Nancy DeLander Beecher)
By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
JACKSONVILLE – You can forget about the plane with the banner “Shad, Fire Baalke For Duval” that flew over EverBank Stadium Sunday during the Jaguars-Titans game.
Owner Shad Khan appears likely to decide the fate of general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Doug Pederson on the league’s traditional “Black Monday” or maybe sooner or later. Khan will have a new $1.4 billion stadium in place for 2028 and expects to put a winner in it.
For the time being, though, there is joy in Jacksonville again.
The Jaguars won. And it was pretty impressive.
If you braved the elements Sunday at EverBank Stadium or watched it on TV, you had a sense of relief.
Regardless of their season, the Jags needed a win and to finish with one at home meant even more. It can provide some needed instant gratification, but also a grim reminder that it was only their fourth win (4-12) of the season.
Enjoy the moment.
It may have been enough to save Baalke and Pederson from their anticipated fates, and a win in Indianapolis this Sunday could further solidify their state in Jacksonville next season.
With Trevor Lawrence gone from the scene since Dec. 1, rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has stolen the show. He owns every franchise rookie receiving record and has become the most recognized player in Jacksonville.
Thomas caught seven passes for 91 yards with a nifty touchdown grab and burst free on an 18-yard end around. He now has 80 receptions for 1,109 yards, and has become the talk of the league.
Overall, the Jags were effective in all three stages of the game against Tennessee.
Quarterback Mac Jones arguably had his best outing since replacing Lawrence, as he went 15 for 22 for 174 yards with a pair of touchdowns. He also ran for 22 yards. Jones orchestrated a textbook, 16-pla7, 74-yard drive that chewed up more than nine minutes and sealed the game for the Jags on a touchdown toss to Thomas.
The Jags’ defense registered three sacks and managed five hits on Titans’ quarterback Mason Rudolph, keeping him off balance most of the afternoon.
Cam Little booted two field goals, and Logan Cooke had three punts for a 43.3 average.
However, this was a Titans team (3-13) that is one of the worst in the league. They have lost five in a row and seven of their last eight.
Yet, a win is a win. Winning in the NFL is more difficult than people think. If you have ever stood on a sideline of an NFL game, you know what I mean.
The Jags can savor this moment, and they can have a winning record in the division (4-2) if they win in Indianapolis Sunday. They currently hold the fifth overall pick in April’s NFL draft and will have an estimated $50 million in cap space next season.
Jacksonville picked up its first victory of the season against Indianapolis in a tight. 37-24 victory on Lawrence’s birthday Oct. 6 at the Bank to snap their 0-5 start.
It can be another victory ahead for them to savor.
As for the plane and its message, Khan gets it and it will be a matter if he decides to clean house.