It’s not often you hear a team, at 5-10, sitting players in their week 17 game. However, in the case of head coach Gus Bradley and the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team would be wise to sit their young, core players in Sunday’s matchup against the Houston Texans.
On Tuesday, owner Shad Khan reassured everyone that Bradley will be back for the 2016 season.”It’s evident to see how far we’ve come in many aspects of our game, and Gus deserves a lot of credit for that progress,” Khan said in a statement (via Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com). “It’s also evident the considerable work that remains to be done to be where we expect to be at this time next season, which is well above where we stand today. And Gus understands that.”
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Now that Bradley knows he will be back for the 2016 season, he should know better than to play his team’s star players. This isn’t a post suggesting Bradley and the Jaguars tank. It is merely to ensure the team’s high profile players are healthy heading into the offseason, and hopefully 2016.
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Last season, the Jaguars ended their 2014 campaign also in Houston losing 23-17 and finishing 3-13. However, the biggest loss of that game was their best player, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks. Marks tore his ACL in the season finale, but not before he finished his season with 8.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hurries. Marks 2016 season was uncertain though.
Marks wouldn’t make his 2015 debut until October 18th against the Texans, and by that time, the Jaguars were already 1-4. Even with his return, Marks wasn’t quite the player he was in 2014.
As a result of their record in 2014, the Jacksonville Jaguars had the third overall pick in the 2015 draft where they took pass rusher Dante Fowler out of Florida. However, before Fowler could even play a snap for the Jaguars, the rookie tore his ACL in the team’s first practice during mini-camp.
Though we don’t know the impact Fowler would have had on the field in 2015, both Fowler’s and Marks’ absence were still felt. The Jaguars defense ranks 31st in the NFL in points a game and 25th and 29th respectively in yards and pass yards given up. Most of these ranks are due to a lackluster pass rush. The Jaguars have 34 sacks on the season, but are without consistent pressure.
Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Tim Hightower (34) breaks a tackle by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Roy Miller (97) during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Jaguars 38-27. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
As a result, most quarterbacks enjoy successful days against the Jaguars defense, and if you play fantasy, it would be smart to start whoever was playing the Jaguars defense. Even Drew Brees, who was playing on one foot last Sunday due to a torn plantar fascia tendon, completed 25 of 36 passes for 412 yards and three touchdowns. Imagine what he would have done had he been 100% healthy?
It was the worst defensive performance by the Jaguars in the Gus Bradley era, surrendering 500+ yards. Tim Hightower, running back of the Saints, who hadn’t been on an NFL roster since 2011, shredded the Jaguars defense for over 122 yards and two touchdowns.
The Houston Texans have practically clinched the AFC South, though the Indianapolis Colts still stand an outside chance by way of miracle. The Jaguars can’t play spoiler on Sunday, and I am sure the team, and fan base, would prefer the Texans take the crown this year.
It’s clear playoffs will be the expectation for Gus Bradley and company next year. The team can’t afford any knee, or serious injuries to their young, core players of the future on Sunday. Players such as Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Telvin Smith, Julius Thomas should sit. Those players will be counted on next year and general manager will spend most of free agency, and the draft, helping the defense. Caldwell doesn’t want to worry about having to sign another wide receiver, tight end, or quarterback due to injury.
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Sure, it’s highly unlikely the team will sit these players on Sunday, and, as previously said, I am not advocating the Jaguars blow this game to get a higher draft pick. As Herman Edwards said, “YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!” What happens though if Bortles tears an ACL on Sunday? Chad Henne might be your starting quarterback for next season.