The players, coaches, front office staff, and of course the fans all breathed a sigh of relief. Jacksonville Jaguars When we beat the Indianapolis Colts last week.
Not only was this group’s first win of the 2024 season, but it was also their first win in nine starts. Trevor LawrenceThe Jaguars enjoyed a victory this offseason after signing the quarterback to a $55 million per season contract extension.
For Jaguars legendary running back Maurice Jones-Drew, that first win was monumental as the team was under pressure heading into the 2024 campaign.
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NFL Network commentator Maurice Jones-Drew during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. (Kirby Lee-USA Today Sports)
“Your owner comes out and says, ‘This is the year we need to win. ‘We have so much talent,’ he says. Jones-Drew spoke to Fox News Digital after meeting and training with U.S. soldiers at Royal Air Force Lakenheath Military Base in London ahead of the game against the Chicago Bears.
“But I think it puts more pressure on those guys to go out and play. The hardest one to get is the first one. Once you get the first one, it feels like a lot of that pressure goes away. Okay, we can take the first one and now we can settle in and do our thing.’”
Jones-Drew pointed out how, despite the team’s 1-4 record to start the year, Jacksonville has been close, save for a blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills. all NFL playersEveryone, current and former, knows that winning a one-point game is possible in just a few plays.
The Jaguars defeated the Colts to earn their first win of the 2024 season.
The Jaguars haven’t made it, and as Jones-Drew put it, that could lead to “squeeze.”
“For them, it’s like, ‘Hey, what’s going on? It was like, ‘We’re putting pressure on you.’ And I felt like they were putting too much pressure on me. So, hopefully not derailing this win, they can now make a bit of a run and use London as a springboard to get back into the season like they did last year.”
The NFL’s annual London game is something players look forward to every year. Especially if you’ve never been to London before. However, with the Jaguars consistently traveling overseas each year and building a strong fan base, what is expected to be a neutral game for both teams turns out to be not the case.
“I think the Jags decided to make this a home-field advantage,” Jones-Drew said. “I thought it was amazing and smart,” he said. “A lot of teams said, ‘Oh, you have to go overseas.’ The Jags accepted, and I think knowing that we’re going to go there and play games for two weeks every year is half the battle. The Jags have a great fan base here, and again, half the battle is: It’s about accepting what’s going to happen.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence throws the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Jacksonville, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
“This is becoming a second home for them.”
bearLed by No. 1 overall pick quarterback Caleb Williams, they have now won back-to-back games, and another would put them in good stead at 4-2 on the year.
So what exactly do the Jaguars need to do to go on a winning streak?
“I think we need to get the football going,” Jones-Drew said. They need to play the football at a clip. And when I say clips, I mean about two or three times every series,” Jones-Drew explained. “You have to run the football. Being able to run the football takes the pressure off Trevor because it’s just a play where he has to pass the ball without having to think. Second, it allows the offensive line. Third, set the tone for the game by playing football. And finally, setting up a play-action pass will see the Jags keep making plays. “I want to play soccer.”
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (No. 7) scores a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter at Everbank Stadium. (Image by Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn)
Jones-Drew also noted that having Williams in the pocket was a big aspect of this game defensively and that Josh Hines-Allen has a potential breakout game as he is suspected to be the Bears’ starting offensive tackle. Year.
These Jaguars are still under pressure to dig themselves out of a hole so quickly and start the year again. But as Jones-Drew analogizes, the quicksand that came before seems to disappear after victory.
Perhaps now Lawrence and company can head out to a very familiar location overseas and enjoy the game.
Spend time with our service members
Before Jones-Drew enjoyed watching his former team, he made a new military friend with Bears legend Charles “Peanut” Tillman at Royal Air Force Lakenheath. There, they ran USAA’s NFL Salute to Service Boot Camp, allowing men and women to try out football. technology.
While testing the 40-yard dash, shuttle, broad jump and more, Jones-Drew described the impact the event had on him as someone who already had the utmost respect for those who sacrificed their lives to protect us at home.
Maurice Jones-Drew and Charles Tillman meet soldiers at RAF Lakenheath military base. (USA)
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“These are people who are willing to pay the ultimate price for our freedom,” he said. “So ask questions to get to know them. I saw some Raiders fans there and it was really nice. I saw a Jags fan and there were a few Jags fans there too. It was really big. Just talking about the game, again, they’re called on to do their daily duties, which can give them a little break and solace by cheering on their team or talking about the Jags or any other team we’ve talked about. Why they had a bad start and why. It was a good start – it was the least I could do to show my appreciation and appreciation for what they have done and what they are doing.”
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