QB Blaine Gabbert-focused strategy fails to avoid Jacksonville Jaguars’ 10-27 loss to Cincinnati Bengals
Coach Mike Mularkey saw another disappointing performance from the Jacksonville Jaguars versus rather defenceless Cincinnati Bengals, as in spite of a major shift in their strategy to exploit the opposition’s injury woes to their gains, they ended up with
yet another miserable loss 10-27 on Sunday (September 30).
Star performer running back Maurice Jones-Drew helped the Jaguars’ chances with 177 rushed yards in the last game but having seen the Bengals coming out on the field without their key defence players, Jaguars made their bet on quarterback Blaine Gabbert,
instead of Maurice.
It did not prove to be a fruitful decision. In spite of the fact that Blaine managed to throw for 186 yards, completing 23 out of 34 passes, he was no match to Bengals QB Andy Dalton’s 244 yards, including two touchdowns on 20 out of 31 passes.
Cornerback Rashean Mathis said of Dalton's performance:
"I said it from Day 1, Andy is going to be one of the best ones. Once he gets into rhythm, he's one of the best in the league. I'm just fortunate and blessed to have a quarterback like that."
Although Gabbert looked to be a better player than he was in the second game of the season, he obviously was not satisfied with the effort, not only because of ending up on the losing side but as a matter of fact that he still has a long way to go.
He said:
"It's tough. We wanted to send Fred out the right way. Fred is a phenomenal running back, a great person. We definitely would like to have had a win for him. But we didn't."
Rest of the Jaguars were again a disappointing reflection of the team’s effort. It is probably very difficult for coach Mularkey to find an answer to their continued poor run this season as with four games played the team has a single win to stay at the
bottom of the American Football Conference (AFC) South division, which is led by the undefeated Houston Texans.
He was also not happy over the outcome of the changed strategy, as leaving the charge of the affairs in Maurice’s hands might have worked for them at the end, but the official probably could not anticipate that the Bengals could come very strongly in spite
of absence of their key players.
The result nevertheless was well within the forecast from a majority of media outlets that the Bengals would go into the game holding an edge over the rivals.
With the win, the Bengals are right on top of the AFC North division with leader the Baltimore Ravens with three wins (3-1) each.
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