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Biggest Takeaways from Jacksonville Jaguars' Week 9 Loss

Evan ReierNov 9, 2015

It's losses like Sunday's that can make it hard to be a fan of football. A team fights to come back from a 14-3 deficit, does a lot of positive things and then ends the game in such horrific fashion you wonder if it actually happened.

The Jacksonville Jaguars and their fanbase has felt this a lot this season, but Sunday may have hurt the most because of the quality of the opponent. The now-5-3 New York Jets were one of the toughest games remaining after the bye week, and the Jaguars almost beat them.

Costly turnovers and untimely mistakes sunk the Jaguars again on Sunday, but it was undoubtedly the most explosive performance the offense has had all season and easily the best defense the Jaguars have showed in a while.

Going into another winnable game on the road against the Baltimore Ravens, the Jaguars have a lot to learn from the 28-23 loss. They hung with a legitimately good team, and they'll now have a chance to pick up an important win against a struggling Ravens squad.

Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns Are the Real Deal

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This may seem obvious, especially to people who have watched the Jaguars week-to-week this season, but Sunday's performances from wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns solidified their ability and importance to this season.

The duo combined for 243 yards and a touchdown on Sunday and did so against a Jets secondary that features corners Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. While their secondary was a little banged up, going up against one of the NFL's best performing defenses and having a day like that was incredible.

The two have done well all season, but there hasn't been such an equal performance from them. Quarterback Blake Bortles typically looks to them first, but their ability to get separation consistently made them the primary weapons of the offense.

This week, the Jaguars and the "A-Team" are going up against a 29th ranked Ravens pass defense, and what we saw Sunday could be repeated and then some against a leaky secondary in Baltimore.

The two have soared past expectations this season, and the comparisons to legendary Jaguars duo Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith have already begun. It's still early in their careers, but it's hard to not be excited by the play of Hurns and Robinson.

Davon House Does Well, Aaron Colvin Struggles

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Cornerback Davon House was restored to his starting role against the Jets, and sure enough, he did exceptionally well against No. 1 Jets wideout Brandon Marshall. He kept Marshall to 44 yards on the day, and it probably should've been less.

There was some shoving and possible pass interference on Marshall's part en route to his game-deciding touchdown. If that's the only way House is going to give up a big play, it's impossible to fault him for his play.

On the other hand, nickel CB Aaron Colvin had a tough day. He was consistently put on Jets WR Eric Decker who was simply too big for Colvin to defend effectively, and that led to the Jets' first TD and a good chunk of Decker's yards.

It wasn't a great game for Colvin, but it seemed like the Jaguars asked more of him than normal. He's obviously got the talent and mindset to play in this league, but his size does limit him. He's an important tool, but the Jaguars have to make sure to put him in situations to succeed as well.

Blake Bortles Leads Offense, but Stumbles Late

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When a quarterback throws for 381 yards, completes 60 percent of his passes and throws for two touchdowns, he's typically labeled a hero. Bortles put up those numbers with incredible poise and magnificent decision-making, but whatever was clicking for the majority of the game was canceled out by three turnovers.

Bortles drove the offense for the majority of the game, and he had to. The Jets did exceptionally well stopping running back T.J. Yeldon all game, save for a 45-yard burst that set up the Jaguars in the red zone. 

Sadly, that huge run from Yeldon was followed by a holding call on tackle Jermey Parnell and a fumble from Bortles. Despite another passing touchdown, a muffed punt from kick returner Nick Marshall and a game-sealing interception determined the Jaguars' fate on Sunday.

Both the fumble and the interception were due to Bortles' tendency to force plays, which we've seen a decent bit over the past couple of years. While this is something Bortles has to overcome, his improved stats this year despite that tendency show how much he's improved.

Bortles has quickly become an explosive playmaker, but his decision-making and inability to just accept a bad look and throw the ball away or play it safe has hindered his overall performance. It's difficult to be disappointed with hope and hard effort, but it also shows Bortles still has a lot of maturing to do.

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Johnathan Cyprien May Have Had His Best Performance as a Jaguar

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Safety Johnathan Cyprien has had some bright moments, but his overall impact hasn't lived up to his 2013 NFL draft second-round selection. This season was going to be a vital time for Cyprien to show his ability, and his performance against the Jets was in the right direction.

He totaled 13 combined tackles, seven solo tackles, two tackles for loss and a pass defended. He was a vital part in stopping Jets RB Chris Ivory to 26 yards on 23 carries, and he did a decent job of contributing to the pass defense.

Cyprien didn't have a missed tackle on Sunday, which was probably the most exciting stat. He is known as a guy who hits hard and quick, but over the past few years it's become apparent his tackling skills were somewhat subpar.

If he wants to progress to being an important member of this team, he needs to continue to perform in this manner. He doesn't have to lead the team in tackles, but not missing tackles and containing opposing RBs is his primary responsibility.

Cyprien hasn't been done any favors since coming to the Jaguars in terms of the surrounding talent, but as the team matures as a whole, he has to as well. Becoming a certain tackler is a good start.

Jason Myers Knocks Down Three Field Goals and Restores Confidence

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On the Jaguars' opening drive, they progressed into Jets territory before stalling and leaving a 45-yard attempt for kicker Jason Myers. Myers, who had missed three field-goal attempts and three extra points coming into this game, stepped up to take the kickit's fair to say most were nervous.

Myers didn't disappoint. He knocked down the attempt and the Jaguars took a 3-0 lead. It was important for Myers to make that opening kick, and that made his following 39-yard and 35-yard attempts easier to watch.

There's always the concern of bad streaks when it comes to kickers, and it's fair to say Myers, and many other kickers in the NFL, have gone through those periods this season. The only cure is to start consistently making your kicks, and Myers did that on Sunday.

Going from veteran Josh Scobee to a rookie kicker like Myers isn't easy, but it's apparent he has the talent. Sunday provided some reassurance going forward, and the Jaguars can put more faith in him going forward.

All stats provided by ESPN.com unless otherwise stated.

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

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