Jacksonville Jaguars: Week 17 dilemma, play or rest?
By Larry Brake
The Jacksonville Jaguars have secured the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs. Should Jacksonville rest some starters or go full throttle?
Since Jan. 12, 2008, the Jacksonville Jaguars have not made the NFL Playoffs. The playoff drought ended this season in Week 15. Last Sunday, the Jaguars were crowned AFC South champions for the first time.
However, there is one regular season game left to play. The Jaguars play on the road against the Tennessee Titans. There is nothing to gain or lose for the Jaguars, but Tennessee is playing for a playoff spot.
Once again, Jacksonville laid a huge egg out on the west coast. Should the Jaguars put that debacle aside or they and finish week 17 with a big victory? Would Jacksonville lose any momentum if they rest some players. Who would rest and who would play?
This week’s game is the rematch of Week 2. Tennessee blew out the Jaguars, 37-16, at EverBank. Is there a revenge factor? Most of all, do you want to be swept by a divisional rival?
Seems like tight ends have a big game against the Jaguars defense. Delanie Walker had another big day due to running open uncovered. He caught four passes for 61 yards on four targets and ran for a goal line touchdown.
The Titans ran for 124 yards on the, then, porous run defense. Jacksonville has added Marcell Dareus since the first meeting. Currently, the Jaguars run defense is allowing an average of 116.3 yards per game. Dareus has made a difference on the defensive line.
All of this, however, leads to one question: Should the Jags rest some of their key starters in the final week of the regular season?
Chad Henne should start the game at quarterback. This will knock off some rust due to an inactive season. Should Blake Bortles get hurt in Week 17 or in the playoff game, Henne would be better prepared to run the offense.
Jalen Ramsey has appeared on the injury list each week. Ramsey has earned the rest because of such a high degree of performance each week. This would be the perfect time to give some play reps to Jalen Myrick and Tyler Patmon. Aaron Colvin should start over A.J. Bouye, who has also earned a rest.
Leonard Fournette needs to rest. He has missed several games due to injury. Maybe the Jaguars will embrace the running back-by-committee approach. The other running backs need the workload.
Next: 2017 NFL Picks, score predictions for Week 17
There is a big decision to be made concerning the season finale. Jacksonville should use this as an audition of younger players and see which one sets up. Remember, the AFC South champions have nothing to lose or game in the playoff scenario.