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Behind Enemy Lines: Jacksonville Jaguars

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:31 p.m. ET

Fansided, Josh McSwain/FanSided via Toro Times

Before this Sunday’s showdown in Houston, I go behind enemy lines with Daniel Lago of Black and Teal. You can read my answers to his questions here, but here is Daniel’s insight on the Jaguars:

1. This has been another disappointing season for the Jaguars, who looked like they were starting to turn it around last season. What has gone wrong–coaches, bad free agent signings, holdover players?

A little of everything, but really it starts and ends with the head coach. Gus Bradley has cemented himself as statistically the worst head coach in the history of the NFL at 14-47 (with him likely finishing at 14-50 at this rate). Bringing him back after he went 5-11 in 2015 was the beginning of the end for hope in 2016 in retrospect. He’s outcoached on a weekly basis and his team routinely makes dumb mistakes while looking completely unprepared. He’s in way over his head as a head coach and it’s pathetic that it took 4 seasons to figure that out and get rid of him.

2. What has happened to Blake Bortles this season? How is he going to go after a Texans defense that has given him fits?

Blake is the other reason this season has fallen apart at the seams. He’s regressed mightily, both mechanically and mentally. His delivery is comically elongated at this point and he just doesn’t have the same willingness to throw deep compared to 2015.

In terms of attacking the Texans defense, I expect Bortles to try to use his legs to some effect. After taking over midseason, new offensive coordinator Nathanial Hackett has encouraged Bortles to tuck it and run when the first few reads aren’t there, especially if there is a running lane. It’s worked to some extent in a few games, partially because it’s kept Bortles from making some bad decisions through the air. Expect some read-option plays as well.

3. Why is it that the run defense has fallen off so much from last year?

The Jaguars lost their run stuffer in Roy Miller several weeks ago and the run defense has suffered. The Jaguars also keep employing two below-average linebackers in Paul Posluszny and Dan Skuta. Poz has actually been serviceable at times this year but he’s way past his prime and a better player could probably be found easily in the draft or free agency.

That said, the run defense has actually been solid but inconsistent. They bottle opposing runners up most of the time, but then they’ll allow a massive gain (the Bills game with LeSean McCoy is a perfect example).

4. What is it going to take for the Jaguars to pull this upset?

The Jaguars have to do something to score on defense or special teams. Whether it’s a punt/kickoff return or a big mistake by Brock Osweiler, the Jaguars have to take the pressure off Blake Bortles and the offense. Over the last 8-10 weeks, the defense has given the Jaguars chances to win and the offense has failed to capitalize. The only path to victory is for the defense to score themselves, and that almost certainly won’t happen.

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5. On a scale of 1-10 how likely is Gus Bradley going to be fired? Who are some possible replacements if he is?

11. Bradley is gone. His dismissal is an afterthought, to the point where it appears owner Shad Khan is only keeping Bradley employed so that he has to sit through the rest of this awful 2016 campaign.

My top choices are the usual suspects – Josh McDaniels and Kyle Shanahan. The Jaguars need a bright, innovative offensive mind and they need a completely different attitude. Bradley has spent condoning and ingraining a losing culture into the organization, which must stop.

6. What’s your prediction for the game?

The Texans should be ashamed of themselves if they don’t win this game handily. The Jaguars are a mess at this point and they will gift the Texans several easy scoring opportunities. I expect at least one Bortles turnover and the Texans will maintain a comfortable lead throughout.

Jaguars 10 – Texans 24