Thread by @SharpFootball

I have an embarrassing & outrageous thread for Jaguars fans. It's about predictable play calling with a lead, something that cost the Jaguars a trip to the Super Bowl last year and is clearly something that hasn't been fixed.

The Jaguars took a 16-0 lead over the Steelers and after Pittsburgh scored on the following drive, Jacksonville had the ball leading 16-6 with 1:17 left in the 3rd quarter.

Between that point an the end of the game, Jacksonville had 4 drives where had the ball with a lead. Every single drive was a 3-and-out. And every single drive was tragically similar,

Huge point of context is the Jaguars were playing their first game without starting C Brandon Linder. In his place was backup C Tyler Shatley (#69). He was not nice. The fact the Jaguars called the plays they did, considering they were without their starting center, was a joke.

Drive 1 with the late lead. First down: heavy personnel, 1 WR, under center, handoff to Leonard Fournette, directly up the middle. #69 gets stood up, play goes no where.

Drive 2 with the late lead. First down: heavy personnel, 1 WR, under center, handoff to Leonard Fournette, directly up the middle. #69 gets stood up, slight drive late, play gains 2 yards, setting up 2nd & long.

Drive 3 with the late lead. First down: heavy personnel, 1 WR, under center, handoff to Leonard Fournette, directly up the middle. #69 gets stood up, driven into the backfield, play goes no where.

Drive 4 with the late lead. First down: heavy personnel, 1 WR, under center, handoff to Leonard Fournette, directly up the middle. #69 gets stood up, Fournette squeezes out 4 yards.

Every. Single. First. Down. Was:
• A run
• Using heavy personnel (1 WR)
• From under center
• Going directly behind the backup center
• Primarily into loaded boxes
• Averaged 1.25 YPC

I won't make you watch but on the following 2nd downs on these drives, 3 of 4 were:
• Runs
• From under center
• Going directly behind the backup center
• Primarily into loaded boxes
• Averaged 0.0 YPC
In Steelers territory on drive #2, they tried to pass but were sacked.

Heading into the game, the Jaguars attempted 17 runs behind center in the 2nd half when leading. These runs averaged 1.7 YPC. In what world did they think that suddenly in week 11, without their starting center for the first game, they would have more success?

I wish this were a joke. I really do. But pictures say a thousand words. This the Jaguars rushing with a second half lead vs the Steelers last week. Because of this predictable play calling behind a backup center, they blew a 16-0 lead in the 4th quarter. I have no words.

In these 4 drives, on early downs, the Jags ran the ball:
• 7 of 8 plays
• always from under center
• always right up the center
• always set up 3rd & long
Then, except for the final play of the final drive, on 3rd down: 100% pass from 11 personnel in shotgun. 0 first downs.

On the season, this is the creativity the Jaguars offense has shown when rushing with a lead in the 2nd half. It's obviously terrible. But it's even worse to think you'll be able to do the same thing, but this time have success against the Steelers with a backup center.

The problem becomes, with Sean McVay and Andy Reid putting up 50 spots and offenses becoming more creative, dynamic & unstoppable than ever before, this stands out. Badly.

This was the thread I wrote after the Jaguars blew a 10 point lead in New England & missed out on a trip to the Super Bowl. Nathaniel Hackett hasn't learned anything. And Blake Bortles still cannot be trusted late in the game. This combo cannot continue.

https://twitter.com/SharpFootball/status/955454941073731584

You draft a RB high because you think, if there EVER was a way he'd return the investment, it's when we're up big in the 4th. But no. And then there's Blake. That said, imagine Sean McVay, Andy Reid or Kyle Shanahan calling these predictable runs time & time again. So gross.