We’re starting a new weekly series here at the Jacksonville Jaguars LWOS site called “Talking Teal”. Every week, each author from our team site will give their reflection on the previous week’s game and their expectations for the current week’s matchup as well as guess the score of the upcoming game and finally make one bold prediction for the game. We’re a bit late being that it’s already week 13, but we are really excited to start this new weekly series. So, without further ado, here is our first “Talking Teal” article. Hope you enjoy!
Talking Teal: Week 13
Thoughts on Last Week’s Game
John: The Buffalo Bills did not beat the Jaguars. The officials did, plain and simple. Blown call after blown call. No defensive pass interference on Stephon Gilmore against Allen Robinson, forward progress being blown on the LeSean McCoy fumble, the clock not stopping when McCoy stepped out of bounds late in the game. Need I go on?
William: It almost seems strange to say that I’m happier with this week’s performance than most of the games that I’ve watched this season. We have been the dominant team for two weeks now, yet we can’t pick up any wins.
I hate to say it, but I’m beginning to fall in love with this Gus Bradley defense. Five sacks registered in total and finally some incredibly impressive play saw Malik Jackson and Tyson Alualu unleashed as they provided consistent pressure upfront. Oh, so close, but again so far.
Ben: We somehow always find a way to lose a game, and last week was no different. The punt return killed, and the refs definitely didn’t help us out either. At the end of the day though, we had a shot to win at the end, but not calling that timeout on fourth down was unforgivable and ultimately the nail in the coffin.
Cody: Last week may have been one of the games where I still feel optimistic. What we saw last week was the talent finally starting to show through. The offense still had its troubles, but Blake Bortles was mistake free. We ran the ball well until Denard Robinson became the featured back, and our defense looked very, very good.
Paul: I wasn’t surprised that the Jaguars lost to the Bills. It was nice to see that Nathaniel Hackett is trying to work around Bortles’ turnover problems this year by throwing less. The running game actually worked until Chris Ivory got hurt, but it’s better to have wins than silver linings.
Expectations for this Week’s Matchup
John: I expect a dog fight. The Denver Broncos defense is nasty, but so is ours. Their offense doesn’t scare me one bit, I have full faith in our defense to keep them in check. The real question mark is whether or not Bortles and company can move the ball against an elite defense.
William: It’s going to be fun testing this defense against the Super Bowl champs. I look forward to seeing the defensive line go hard again this week, as Jackson welcomes the Broncos to his new home. It will be incredibly interesting to see who Jalen Ramsey decides to pick up this week. One can only hope that Bortles and the offense doesn’t keep our defense on the field all day. As we saw against the Bills, everyone gets one big play eventually.
Ben: Defensively we must create turnovers. Bortles and the offense will struggle to move the ball against that Denver defense, so it’s up to the Jaguars’ defense to put the offense in easier situations to score. If we don’t get any turnovers, we’re going to lose this game, plain and simple as that.
Cody: I expect us to keep the game close but ultimately fall short as what has happened all season long. This coaching staff just can’t get this team over the hump. We are seeing promising signs from individuals and ultimately, the defense as a unit has been better than what most expected coming in minus the lack of turnovers. We won’t know what this team can do under the Gus Bradley regime.
Paul: Wouldn’t it be great for the Jaguars to beat the Broncos at the end of overtime by a field goal? Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but Bortles will have to be on fire for a win. An Allen Robinson breakout would be great. I expect a slow first half until our defense gets too tired, and ultimately the game will start to slip away about half way through the 3rd quarter.
Score Predictions
John: Denver 17, Jacksonville 13
William: Denver 27, Jacksonville 17
Ben: Denver 24, Jacksonville 20
Cody: Denver 21, Jacksonville 13
Paul: Denver 31, Jacksonville 24
One Bold Prediction
John: Both Prince Amukamara and Jalen Ramsey get picks off of Trevor Siemian this week.
William: I’m waiting for Dante Fowler Jr. to have a big week. If Jackson and Alualu force the Denver running backs to cut outside, then I expect Fowler to have a monster day against the run as well as providing pressure.
Ben: Telvin Smith will have a pick six.
Cody: I expect the defense to get after the quarterback again this week leading to another five sack performance. Last week, Yannick Ngakoue, Malik Jackson, and Tyson Alualu all got pretty steady rushes in on Tyrod Taylor.
Paul: Everyone is waiting for Allen Robinson to get hot again, but I think it’s Marqise Lee‘s time. I say he pulls in five receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns. It may not be enough to win, but go Albino Tiger!
Be Sure to Follow Us
Thanks for reading and be sure to check out each author’s LWOS page to read more of their previous work and if you’re on Twitter, we’d be more than thankful if you gave us a follow as well.
John: LWOS page: https://lastwordonprofootball.com/author/john-shirey/
William: LWOS page: https://lastwordonprofootball.com/author/willfrost/
Twitter: @willfrost_
Ben: LWOS page: https://lastwordonprofootball.com/author/benjaminthompson/
Twitter: @JagsBenLWOS
Cody: LWOS page: https://lastwordonprofootball.com/author/cody-wirth/
Paul: LWOS page: https://lastwordonprofootball.com/author/paulmartin/
Twitter: @ p_mar93
