What Else is There to Say?

What a difference two months make. It was nine weeks ago that Shannon Sharpe was predicting a Super Bowl year for the Jaguars (and Jags fans were silently hoping he was right). Now, halfway through, the Jags sit at 3-5 after two disgusting losses to two lowly teams for Ohio. Another sub-par Midwestern team--the Lions, perennial NFL laughingstock--host the Jags this weekend in the second half opener for the Jags. As the Jags' official website acknowledged, Jax is trying to avoid becoming the first team in the history of the NFL to lose two straight games to 0-8 teams. It goes without being said that last week's cliche status--must-win time--has been upgraded to "do-or-die time." As one who's following the Jags for the first time, I'm finding it difficult to keep watching, keep caring. But if they're going to turn things around and save face, a lot is going to have to change. Almost everything, starting with:

1. They must establish the run. There's no reason why an offensive line with Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew flanking them cannot have at least an above average running game. Rather than the 17th ranked attack in the NFL (out of 32 teams).

2. They must score touchdowns. Garrard--though not having the season he had a year ago--has been adequate, but he only has six touchdown passes (one more than his five interceptions).

3. They must stop somebody on defense. Their rushing defense ranked nineteenth during the first half and their passing defense was even worse (at 20th). Sounds like a trend, really.

But I did say they needed to change "almost" everything, meaning that something must have gone well. Everyone needs a little optimism, so here it is:

1. Special teams. Kicker Josh Scobee has been accurate (14 out of 16 field goals) and Brian Witherspoon has been solid (though not explosive) returning kicks.

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There you have it. If you lose offensively and defensively but win on special teams, you will likely lose most of the time. At least five out of eight times or so.

Let's hope they can reverse their trends during the second half. Starting in Detroit against the 0-8 Lions.