Jacksonville Jaguars: Winning games Tom Coughlin style
By Larry Brake
The Jacksonville Jaguars win at Pittsburgh in the Divisional Round of the 2018 NFL Playoffs is a result of the influence of Tom Coughlin.
In Sunday’s playoff game, the Jacksonville Jaguars imposed their will early and often. The Jaguars defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 45-42. Jacksonville lead the entire game due to a magnificent game plan. Leonard Fournette scored twice in the first quarter. Myles Jack set up Fournette’s second touchdown with an interception. T.J. Yeldon added a touchdown to stretch the Jaguars lead to 21-0.
The Steelers opening score came on a Ben Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown touchdown pass. Telvin Smith scooped and scored on a Roethlisberger fumble to extend the Jaguars lead to 28-7. Roethlisberger hit Martavis Bryant for a touchdown pass on fourth down. Jaguars leading 28-14 at the half.
As fast and furious as the first half was, the second half was spectacular. The Steelers drew to 28-21 in the third quarter after Roethlisberger hit Le’Veon Bell with a touchdown pass. Jacksonville’s fourth quarter fireworks would prove to be the difference.
Jacksonville score 17 points and Pittsburgh scored 21. A failed fourth down play by Pittsburgh, gave Jacksonville the opportunity to put the game away. Josh Lambo’s 45-yard field goal was the winning margin. The back and forth scoring ended as the clock read 0:00 and Jacksonville moves on to New England.
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This marks the second time that the Jaguars have defeated Pittsburgh once in the regular season and in the playoffs. Today’s game seemed very familiar with the Tom Coughlin led teams in Jacksonville and the New York Giants.
Tony Griffo, a long time Giants fan, remarked in a text message that Coughlins fingerprints were on the Jaguars team. He pointed out similarities of both teams. There are four areas of the Jaguars that have Coughlin-esque qualities. Against Pittsburgh, they proved to be the difference.
First, the running game must be established. Jacksonville had 164 rushing yards. Fournette had 25 carries for 109 yards with three touchdowns. He had an 18-yard touchdown run after the Jack interception. Second, the offensive line must bring their lunch. They did an amazing job in the running attack.Most of all, they protected Bortles because Pittsburgh was not able to sack him. They are truly the unsung heroes.
Third, the fullback and tight end must be utilized in the passing game. Tommy Bohanon caught a Bortles pass for a fourth quarter touchdown. Ben Koyack and James O’Shaughnessy had huge receptions to keep the chains moving. Finally, the pass rush has to put pressure on the quarterback. Jacksonville sacked Roethlisberger twice. Smith’s touchdown was the result of a strip sack.
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The Jaguars will play for the AFC Championship in New England. There is hope for another Coughlin led Super Bowl appearance. As hey did all year long, just win one game at a time.