Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars: 5 Positives in Loss to Packers

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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2016 starts with a loss for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but there are still plenty of positives to take away from the defeat

The Jacksonville Jaguars should have beaten the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. However, a questionable play call on fourth-and-1 gave the Jaguars their 5th straight loss on kickoff weekend. Despite the loss, the team looked competent for once against a Super Bowl favorite.

Jaguars and Packers fans were treated with one of the better Week 1 games on kickoff weekend. The game went back and forth, but ultimately, Aaron Rodgers and company managed to squeak it out against the Jaguars thanks to a blunder by Jaguars offensive coordinator Greg Olson.

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With the Jaguars driving, and inside the 20, and after the team converted numerous 4th downs, the team thew a bubble screen on fourth-and-1 to Allen Hurns. The Packers sniffed it out and Hurns had no chance. Why not a slant all day? Or why not a fade to Allen Robinson in the end zone?

What could have been.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, this young Jaguar team stayed competitive against an MVP candidate and Super Bowl favorite. Jaguars teams of the past would have been done at halftime. The Jaguars still have a long way to go in order to win their first divisional title since 1999. However, the pieces are there and they are headed in the right direction.

Here are five positives from the loss on Sunday.

Oct 18, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA;Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Julius Thomas (80) lines up during the second half of a football game against the Houston Texans at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5 Julius Thomas

In 2015, Julius Thomas signed a five-year, $46 million dollar contract with the Jaguars after recording double digit touchdowns in each of the previous two seasons with Peyton Manning and the Broncos. However, Thomas had under 500 yards and only five touchdowns last season.

In his first season with the Jags, Thomas looked slow, overweigh,t and had some crucial drops. Most of that is due to Thomas missing most of the preseason and first four games of the 2015 season with a fractured finger.

On Sunday, Thomas looked like the tight end the Jaguars signed him to be. He caught five passes for 64 yards and a score. With Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns getting all the attention along the outside, there should be plenty of more looks coming Thomas’s way this season. Maybe even another double digit season.

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Prince Amukamara (21) tackles Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) in the third quarter at EverBank Field. Green Bay Packers won 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

4. Prince Amukamara

He’s healthy and looks to be the guy the New York Giants drafted him to be in the first round of the 2011 draft. The knock on Prince Amukamara has been his health, as the former Nebraska Cornhusker has only played in all 16 games once in the five years in the Big Apple.

The Jaguars signed Prince to a one year, “Prove it” deal this offseason. And after Week 1, he is proving it. Amukamara was a pleasant surprise and shadowed and mirrored the Green Bay receivers all game. Not bad against a team that has some talent at the wide receiver position with Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams.

The Jaguars pass rush is still a concern, but at least the secondary has improved dramatically. If Amukamara can stay healthy while young players like Jalen Ramsey continue developing, this could be a unit causing problems for every opponent throughout 2016.

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) defends Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jared Abbrederis (84) in the first quarter at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jalen Ramsey

Jalen Ramsey dared the best quarterback in the league to throw at him. Rodgers did twice, but Ramsey didn’t give up a completion. Of course Ramsey did have quite a bit to say after the game.

While this may not seem necessary, I like it! The Jaguars have never had a player who brings the kind of swagger to the defense like Ramsey. Plus, it’s hard to argue with a rookie who played and behaved like a confident veteran on a team that needs such a presence.

Ramsey will only get better, and will be the best defensive back in the league in a few seasons. Book it.

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Jason Myers (2) kicks a field goal as Jacksonville Jaguars punter Brad Nortman (3) holds the ball during the first half against the Green Bay Packers at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

2. Brad Nortman and Special Teams

The special teams unit for Jacksonville was dreadful last year. Jason Myers missed seven extra points and Bryan Anger was not the punter the team drafted him to be in the third round in 2012. Anger is gone to Tampa Bay and the Jaguars brought in Brad Nortman from the defending NFC Champion Carolina Panthers.

Nortman has already done more than Anger did in his Jaguar career. Nortman arguably kept the Jaguars in the game by pinning Rodgers and company inside the five yard line twice. Jason Myers made both of his extra points and made all three field goals, with one being a 50 yarder.

It doesn’t look like special teams will cost the Jaguars anymore games this season. For a younger team that’s still trying to grow and assert itself, that could be huge. If there’s one thing a team in that situation can’t afford, it’s simple, yet costly mistakes. That’s where special teams gaffes would come in, so not having to worry about them now could be a major factor and aid in the Jaguars’ 2016 success.

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) has the ball deflected by Green Bay Packers cornerback Damarious Randall (23) during the second half of a football game at EverBank Field.The Green Bay Packers won 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

1. The Jaguars Overall

As I have said before, the 2013, 2014, and 2015 version of these Jaguars would have been done at halftime against this Packers team. One could argue that the Jaguars were the better team on Sunday. The team put itself in a position to win. Something they haven’t done often in Gus Bradley’s tenure.

Blake Bortles looks much improved. The offensive line gave him time to throw. T.J. Yeldon looked nimble and added some toughness despite not having plenty of running room. Yeldon also had to carry the load himself with the team missing short yardage runner and free agency acquisition, Chris Ivory.

The defense was solid and held an MVP candidate to under 200 yards passing.

The only downside was the pass rush. It was still nonexistent. That should improve as the season goes on with the maturity of Dante Fowler, who is essentially a rookie after missing all of 2015. Third round pick Yannick Ngakoue will also improve as the season wears on.

The Jaguars are no longer the team from 2011-2015. This team is competitive and will be in contention for the division crown come years end.

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