Jaguars vs. Jets: What We Learned from the Jacksonville Loss

Maybe Jaguars fans expected too much today when the team traveled to play the Jets.

A team that narrowly escapes a win against the Tennessee Titans challenging the AFC runner-up in New York? This looked like a mismatch on paper before the game even started.

And then, it got worse.

What we saw was two teams going in completely opposite directions. A team with confidence. A team on the rise.

And then, a team that is not ready and maybe setting itself up for a huge fall.

These particular lessons prove just how bad the game was and the fact it could have been worse.

At Least the Running Game Showed Up

The team still ran for over 100 yards against a good Jets defense.

Maurice Jones-Drew proved that he can still get yardage and was running at full steam for the second consecutive game.

A steady dose of Jones-Drew with Deji Karim for a change of pace can be very good and looks good for the long term.

4 Interceptions Will Most Likely Do Any Team in

Antonio Cromartie had two of the Jets' four interceptions. The Jets' secondary is one of the better units in the league and proved it Sunday.

Luke McCown May Not Be the Answer for the Jaguars

McCown finished the game with a passer rating of 1.9. He was rattled early in the game by the Jets' pass rush and then suffered the four interception-game.

If McCown is to remain the starter, he is going to have to play better.

McCown may have had one of the worst games a starting quarterback could have.

Could We See Blaine Gabbert Next Week?

He played in the game, so you know the questions will come up.

Gabbert was the prize of the Jaguars' draft and now that McCown had such a dismal time, is it time to call on the rookie and see what he can do?

Jack Del Rio and Rex Ryan Are Good Friends but the Better Coach Prevailed

Let's hope that picture was taken before the game.

No coach who takes a beating like that from one of his coaching colleagues should be smiling.

Del Rio was out-coached and outmatched.

Both of these coaches spent time on the Baltimore Ravens' coaching staff and have known each other for years.

How Do You Put a Positive Spin on This One?

You don't. Yes, the running game was semi-effective. But the defense was supposed to be better and the offense was supposed to manage a game.

Neither happened.

Now they move forward at 1-1 on the season.

Injuries Hurt!

You got the feeling this week that injuries would plague this team.

And while Marcedes Lewis and Derek Cox did not play, two important starters, they may not have been able to help this team win.

Lewis could have been a target to help McCown as he was pressured most of the day, but it was only one missing piece.

Cox could not have covered Plaxico Burress and Santonio Holmes all day.

The Jaguars' Run Defense Was Decent

They held the Jets' leading rusher Shonn Greene to 49 yards and a touchdown.

The Jaguars' run defense held Chris Johnson in check last week and proved it can stop the running game, even if it had trouble containing the passing game.

How Do You Game-Plan for Carolina?

Even if the Carolina Panthers are 0-2, the team looks much improved.

They lost 30-23 to the Green Bay Packers in a game that was not as close as the game indicated. But still, this is a better opponent than they were last year.

And at home against the Jaguars, anything is possible.

And then, you have the Cam Newton factor. The rookie has been better than advertised in his first two games.

Could the Panthers get their first win of the season against these Jaguars?