Chargers vs. Jaguars: 8 Things We Learned from Jacksonville's 38-14 Loss

It was a decent game. At least for a few minutes.

Blaine Gabbert looked like an NFL quarterback. At least for a few minutes.

The depleted Jaguars defense looked like its old self. At least for a few minutes.

The only thing that looked the same in the 38-14 loss at the hands of the San Diego Chargers was the play of Maurice Jones-Drew.

By halftime, the game was over. And then, it got worse.

Mel Tucker deserved a better fate in his first game as Jaguars head coach. And the fans, who came out to support the team and what they hoped for as a new identity of the team, left feeling the same about a young club with a lot of growing to do.

This is what we learned, which is a lot of what we already knew. This is not a very good football team offensively.

Blaine Gabbert Cannot Complete a Pass of More Than 10 Yards Down the Field

Except for the shovel pass to MJD, Gabbert did not hit a single target besides Cecil Shorts for more than 10 yards.

He has to be more confident in his arm to get the ball down the field.

San Diego pressured him all night.

There Was a Cecil Shorts Sighting Tonight

Shorts caught a touchdown pass in the second quarter and flashed a bit of his talent to the team and the fans.

If Shorts and Gabbert can connect on more pass plays, the two could be a decent combination.

But both still have a lot to learn.

Injuries Affected the Team Again

John Chick became another defensive end casualty tonight when he went down with a knee injury.

He was carted off from the game and did not return.

It is not known the severity of the injury yet.

Defensive back Dwight Lowery was also injured during the game.

There Is Nothing Wrong with Philip Rivers

Anyone who has said Rivers is not the quarterback he has been in the past, should really watch tonight's tapes.

Rivers looked like John Elway.

If Rivers, who had 17 interceptions coming into the game, was regressing, the Jaguars secondary cured him of his ills.

Maurice Jones-Drew Is as Much a Threat as a Receiver as a Runner

The Little Engine That Could finished with 97 yards rushing and 91 yards receiving.

He is now the NFL's leading rusher.

Jones-Drew scored on a pass play from Gabbert in the second quarter.

Too Many Yards on the Ground

The Jaguars run defense allowed large chunks of yards to Ryan Mathews, who finished with 112 yards in the game.

A lot of this has to do with injuries to the front line.

The Jaguars looked undermanned from the beginning.

Dirk Koetter Made Gabbert Look Good in the Second Quarter

We thought we were seeing the makings of an NFL quarterback.

We were only teased.

Gabbert was 5-of-5 on the first scoring drive of the game.

He looked in control of the offense and moved around the pocket hitting receivers in stride and running with the football.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Are Next

The Bucs have had issues just like the Jaguars.

Could the Jags get a win against a cross-state rival?

The Buccaneers come to EverBank Field next weekend.

Tampa Bay is 4-8 this season.