Jacksonville Jaguars: Ending decade of despair on high note

The Jacksonville Jaguars are planning to end the decade of losing with a victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17.

Jacksonville Jaguars fans have had many highs and lows in the team’s 25 years of existence as an NFL franchise. However, there have been many more lows than highs. This decade, of the 2010s, will be forever remembered as a decade of despair.

Eight of the 10 seasons are marred by double-digit losses. Only 2010 and 2017 were high points by finishing 8-8 and 10-6, respectively. Jacksonville remains one of the few teams that have not made a Super Bowl appearance in NFL history.

Currently, the Jaguars have an all-time record at 175 wins and 224 losses. They are 50-109 in this decade. Interestingly, they were 125-115, a winning record, from 1995-2009. Oh well, there is one game left to play for this season and decade.

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The Jaguars have a huge challenge facing them on Sunday. It was the Indianapolis Colts that had two running backs to rush for over 100 yards each in week 11. Will they be able to redeem themselves and stop the Colts rushing attack?

The Colts have the fourth-best rushing offenses in the NFL. Marlon Mack leads the way with 1014 yards. Jacksonville is the 28th best running defense. Can you guess what Indianapolis will do all game long?

First of all, the Jaguars will have to juggle their defensive scheme. Since this is the last game, they should give more of a 3-4 look instead of their base 4-3 defense. Perhaps playing Yannick Ngakoue and Josh Allen, as outside linebackers, will help in the run defense. Put the best players out there to make plays.

Next, the Jaguars have to improve their tackling. Everybody loves to see the big hit but, most opponents have not gone down with those big hits. They will have to wrap up and tackle to the ground.

Finally, Jacksonville must win the battle in the trenches. Although it seems repetitive, games are won and lost by those intensely fierce battles. You know how the past few games have played out.

Winning cures everything. This decade could be put to rest by a big Jaguars victory. Let’s cheer for a Jaguars victory and look towards a winning 2020 season.