Jacksonville Jaguars Week 6 Stock Report

The Jacksonville Jaguars desperately needed a bounce-back win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past Sunday. Despite finally achieving offensive success, crucial mistakes and poor errors gave the Bucs a 38-31 win.

Jacksonville is now 1-4 but should be 3-2. The awful loss to the Buccaneers and the poor 16-13 loss against the Indianapolis Colts the week prior has the Jaguars in a poor situation heading into their second AFC South battle of the year against the Houston Texans.

The Texans are also 1-4, and it will be the third straight week the Jaguars are playing a team with an equal record to their own. Against similar-quality opponents, you have to win to reach season goals, and the Jaguars haven't done that.

If the team wants to go into the important London game with some kind of positivity, a win this weekend is absolutely necessary. If the Jaguars can't get past their errors and lose, head coach Gus Bradley could lose his job or be one step closer to that outcome.

Punt Team Allows Two Major Returns, Gets a Deduction in Stock

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

The Jaguars special teams have committed two crucial errors in back-to-back games, and the second offense was on the punt team. Punter Bryan Anger didn't punt especially awful in Week 5, but he outkicked the coverage twice, and that led to a couple of major plays.

Buccaneers returner Bobby Rainey took two punts inside the Jaguars' territory, with one drive starting from the 17-yard line and the other starting from the 40-yard line of the Jaguars.

Both drives went for touchdowns, which is obviously a crucial 14 points when a team losses by seven. The defense may not have stopped them if they started in average or slightly above-average field position, but they certainly would've had a better chance.

Kicker Jason Myers' two missed field goals against the Colts and now the poor punting against the Buccaneers have been major mistakes that aren't completely to blame for the losses, however, they are impossible to ignore.

Getting the Jaguars offense, defense and special teams together has been an impossible task so far this season. You may not always win through special teams, but the Jaguars have lost two straight games partly due to poor special teams play.

Julius Thomas Makes His Debut, Gets on the Stat Sheet and Receives a Stock Bump

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Tight end Julius Thomas missed the first four games of the season but was cleared to play in Tampa and made his regular-season debut as a Jaguars. He only totaled two catches for 20 yards, but his presence and small production is a decent step forward.

Coming back from injury is always a difficult and cautious process, and one couldn't blame the Jaguars for sitting Thomas for another week and playing it safe. However, clearance was enough for the staff, and Thomas got on the field.

It was a slow opening game, but that was to be expected. The fact that he didn't re-injure himself or make any major mistakes is a solid foundation for this upcoming week.

It may take another game or two for Thomas to get in the groove, but the Jaguars must be patience with him in the meantime. He made it back by Week 5, and that means a crucial added threat in the passing game.

Offensive Line Allows Sacks and Loses Stock Value in the Process

Brian Blanco/Associated Press

The offensive line has done a great job of protecting quarterback Blake Bortles throughout this season, but it showed cracks in the armor on Sunday, allowing Tampa Bay's pass rush to bring down the sophomore QB six times.

It has struggled to do especially well in run blocking, and that issue continued this week. While an error, it's quickly becoming apparent that it may not improve well enough with the current line to get running back T.J. Yeldon numerous chances in most games.

However, the sacks on Bortles were primarily on the offensive line's shoulders. The five sacks allowed in the Week 1 loss to the Carolina Panthers was high as well, but at least two or three of those sacks were on Bortles holding onto the ball too long against a solid pass rush.

However, the sacks this weekend weren't his fault. Tampa Bay's mixed blitz and various packages were apparently too much for the offensive line, and the Buccaneers were able to get to the QB more than any other opponent the Jaguars played.

With defensive linemen J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney coming to Jacksonville next week, it's imperative the offensive line recovers after a poor performance.

Chris Clemons, Andre Branch Don't Register on the Box Score, Lose Stock

Steven Senne/Associated Press

Defensive ends Chris Clemons and Andre Branch are two players who needed big seasons in 2015. With the incoming defensive end, Dante Fowler Jr., recovering from injury for next season, the tight group of "Leo" defensive ends will grow even tighter, and they need to perform to keep a spot.

Clemons was one of the best pass-rushers on the team last year, but he's 33 and will have to prove that he still has what it takes to get a spot next year. Branch hasn't ever had the breakout season that he's gotten close to, and time is also running out for him.

Sunday saw neither player register anything on the stat sheet—no tackles, no sacks, no hurries or anything. From looking at the stats, it's almost like the two players were absent from the contest. 

Both are likely playing for their future with the Jaguars, and Sunday was a step in the wrong direction. With other options like Ryan Davis and Chris Smith, the Jaguars may not be as patient if they continue to blank on the stat sheet.

Both are decent options, but if they can't deliver, the Jaguars are simply wasting money and personnel by giving them chances. Week 6's game against the Texans will be a big opportunity to prove that they belong in the future.

Telvin Smith Works to Make Up for Paul Posluszny's Absence, Stock Rises

Stew Milne/Associated Press

There was no making up for linebacker Paul Posluszny's absence on Sunday, and it showed through the lack of composure against the run and overall stability. However, linebacker Telvin Smith did his best to make up for it and put in an excellent performance.

Smith racked up 13 solo tackles and a tackle for loss. While Smith wasn't able to do the same containing that Posluszny does from the inside linebacker position, he made a lot of crucial tackles and was all over the field.

His speed was especially on display, and there were multiple pursuits from the game that were impressive. His speed has always been a factor, but this was one of the more intelligent games from Smith in his career.

He took good angles but played with the same intensity that Jaguars fans have come to love. His performance was one of the few defensive bright spots, but and it will hopefully serve as a springboard to consistent, impressive play.

All stats provided by ESPN.com unless otherwise stated.

Evan Reier is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report covering the Jacksonville Jaguars. Follow Evan on Twitter @evanreier.