Browns 31, Jaguars 27: Should the Brakes Be Pumped on Late-Season Panic?
The second week of the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5) three-week AFC North tour may not have gone as badly as Monday night hosting the Cincinnati Bengals (6-6), but the 31-27 road loss to the Cleveland Browns still sent a sting that reverberated throughout the Duval Devout.
After all, the last time the Jags had back-to-back losses was in September and the list of injuries continues to mount on the roster. However, here are some reasons why it isn’t time to panic for the Jags community.
The Houston Texans Lost
The Jags' biggest competition in the AFC South got walloped by the New York Jets (5-8) in what might be the most surprising result of the weekend, 30-6. When the media buzz leading into Sunday was how Jets’ quarterback Zach Wilson allegedly didn’t want to start, his 301 passing yards compared to the Texans’ CJ Stroud passing for only 91 before leaving the game late with a concussion was something no one had on their bingo card.
Not only is Jacksonville still a game ahead of Houston, they also hold the tiebreaker based on their division record. Even if the Jags lose Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens (10-3) and the Texans beat the Titans at home, the Jags will still be at the top of the division.
The Indianapolis Colts Lost
It was only six days ago when the Duval Devout felt cursed on Monday Night Football in an overtime loss to the Bengals. For all the injuries and collateral damage from the game, Cincinnati also managed to help the Jags this week by dominating the dark horse Indianapolis Colts (7-6), 34-14.
Like the Texans, the Jags have the tiebreaker on the Colts with the division record while also having swept the Colts earlier in the year. Indy will have to make up two games in the final four weeks to have a shot at the AFC South title.
The Jag Remaining Schedule
There’s some positivity worth noting from Sunday’s game. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence doesn’t appear to have injured himself worse in the loss to the Browns. Also, Evan Engram has come on lately hauling in three touchdowns in the past two games. But the most important point after playing the Ravens next week, the Jaguars don’t have a winning team in their remaining three contests.
The NFC South’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) and the Carolina Panthers (1-12) complete the remaining slate from that division. The final game of the regular season is a rematch against the Tennessee Titans (4-8) who they blew out previously at home, 34-14. The Jaguars are still in the driver’s seat to host a playoff game. If they win out the final three games, they’ll earn the AFC South crown.
