The Jacksonville Jaguars failed to make a comeback this week, falling by a score of 34-27 to the Carolina Panthers. While the team ultimately fell short, the they overall had a quality performance. Here are some winners and losers from the Jaguars’ Week 5 match-up with Carolina:
Winners
WR D.J. Chark
D.J. Chark would be the Jaguars’ biggest early surprise if not for quarterback Gardner Minshew II. Chark has been on a tear in the first five games this season. Against Carolina’s No. 1 ranked pass defense, the young receiver tacked on two more touchdowns on eight catches for 164 yards. Chark now has 27 catches for 485 yards and five touchdowns on the season and looks hungry for more. He has been Minshew’s go-to receiver from the start and has been pivotal to the offense’s success. He’s been a “winner” four of the past five weeks and it certainly won’t be the last for No. 17.
QB Gardner Minshew II
Minshew has yet to disappoint the fans of Jacksonville. The quarterback had a few faults today as he lost three fumbles, but remained poised and had his best statistical game yet. Minshew finished the game 26-of-44 for 374 yards and two touchdowns, again avoiding fatal interceptions. Minshew has been able to consistently move the ball up and down the field with the offense. He kept the team in the game late (as usual), which his something the Jags haven’t had at the quarterback position in years.
DE Yannick Ngakoue
Yannick Ngakoue has been a bit of a disappointment so far this season. The star edge rusher has been dealing with injuries and had yet to get to the quarterback — until today that is. Ngakoue has been one of the Jaguars’ best players for the last three seasons; his pass-rushing expertise and ability to cause fumbles has helped him become a fan favorite in Duval County. With a slow start to the season, fans felt a bit underwhelmed by his lack of production. He got the monkey off his back Sunday, recording two sacks and even was able to force a fumble, though it was recovered by Carolina. Ngakoue is not one of the players that fans should be concerned about.
Losers
Jaguars’ run defense
The biggest loser from the game has to be Jacksonville’s run defense. At the end of the half, the defense looked solid, holding the versatile Christian McCaffrey to just 11 touches. When the second half got underway, the tides turned. McCaffrey busted off a lethal 84-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter, putting the offense in a tough situation. The back seven of the defense quickly became a concern in the run game.
McCaffrey later went down to an injury, but in stepped backup running back Reggie Bonnafon, who added to McCaffrey’s impressive day with a 59-yard rush for the second long rushing touchdown of the day. These rushes were what ultimately killed Jacksonville’s chances of victory.
The Jaguars will certainly need to clean up the run defense, especially when looking ahead to next week’s game against the Saints and their star rusher, Alvin Kamara.
