New Week, New Challenges for the Jacksonville Jaguars

The revamped Jacksonville Jaguars defense will have to shift gears a bit as they look for revenge against the San Diego Chargers.

The Jacksonville Jaguars knew Aaron Rodgers would give them trouble in week one. They decided to take a calculated approach to limiting the number of explosive plays he produced by containing him in the pocket rather than flushing him out with excess pressure. In the words of head coach Gus Bradley, “it wasn’t enough.”

As the first half came to a close, Rodgers did exactly what the Jaguars feared he may do under pressure. He lofted a perfect pass into an impossibly tight window for a diving Davante Adams in the end zone while being pulled down from behind.

This week the same Jaguars defense is preparing for another talented quarterback in Phillip Rivers. While he can improvise and make things happen moving within the pocket, he’s not the same type of threat that Rodgers is when flushed out. Rivers tends to be a bit quicker to throw the ball away or check it down when there’s not a clean pocket and that means Jaguars defensive linemen will have their ears pinned back and rush more aggressively in Week 2.

Jan 3, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) celebrates with running back Danny Woodhead (39) after scoring a touchdown during the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The check-down option mentioned above presents another challenge for the Jags as the two most likely targets of such passes can be deadly in those situations. Therefore, you can bet that film is being carefully studied on Danny Woodhead and Antonio Gates by the Jaguars players and coaches. Jalen Ramsey (nickel DB) and Johnathan Cyprien (SS) are likely to have their hands full trying to limit the yards after catch by this duo. Defensive coordinator Todd Wash didn’t completely rule out involving rookie linebacker Myles Jack this week as they scheme to find the best match-ups for the Chargers offensive skill players. (See the 5:30 mark in linked video.)

Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash on defending Woodhead: “…it’s like…the Rocky movie where they’re trying to catch a chicken. He is slippery, he’s tough to get a hold of and he creates mismatches.”

Those who were disappointed in the pass rush versus the Packers may have something to watch this week as the Jags take the more aggressive approach fans expected to see this season. Creating that pressure on Rivers combined with the containment of Woodhead and Gates are big focal points as the team prepares to fly west to San Diego. The linebackers meeting room is certain to be checking out the tendencies of explosive young running back Melvin Gordon as well. Gordon averaged a somewhat pedestrian 4.1 yards per carry but found the end zone twice last week.

If the Jaguars can successfully adjust and execute their defensive game plan, there’s a good chance Blake Bortles and company will put enough points on the board to ensure a rare west coast victory for the team.