During an undefeated October for the Jacksonville Jaguars, running back Travis Etienne Jr. had a career-best stretch. Over five games, the third-year back had 565 yards from scrimmage and seven total touchdowns.
It’s been a while since the Jaguars ran the ball that well, though.
While Etienne got into the end zone in each of the last two weeks, he has averaged 3.3 yards per carry since the beginning of November. His highest rushing total in the last five weeks came when he managed to squeak out 56 yards against the Houston Texans on 20 carries.
“You have to be able to run the ball,” Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said Sunday. “We have to do a better job. We have to find ways to do that.
“When we were playing well as an offense, that was something that we were doing well. We have to get back to that and just find ways to be efficient and stay on track. We weren’t very good on first and second down today [against the Cleveland Browns]. That gets you behind the sticks.”
Against the Browns, Etienne finished with 35 rushing yards on 14 carries.
“I have to be better for my offensive line,” Etienne said in the locker room after the 31-27 loss. “They’re doing a great job out there, I have to continue to hit it, continue to trust in my discipline, and just keep trusting them. They’re gonna continue to trust in me and we want to get this thing rolling.”
It sure doesn’t seem like Etienne is the one to blame, though. After injuries sidelined both Cam Robinson and Walker Little, the Jaguars lost Ezra Cleveland to a knee injury early in the Week 14 loss. Jacksonville’s offensive line has been banged up for much of the year and ranks 28th in ESPN’s run block win rate. At Pro Football Focus, the Jaguars’ 44.2 team run block grade is the worst in the league.
“[We] have to find ways to improve, possibly getting back to some of the schemes that worked earlier in the season or what helped Travis break free,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said Monday. “Obviously, the injury situation on the offensive line has affected that just a little bit, having that continuity up front.
“It’s something that we’re focused on and even with [offensive line coach Phil Rauscher], just again, finding those schemes that have worked in our past and trying to tap back into that to see if we can jumpstart the run game.”
The Jaguars’ Week 15 opponent, the Baltimore Ravens, rank 21st in rushing yards allowed per attempt.
