The Jags came on strong down the stretch, winning their final eight games to swipe the division, but came up shy against Josh Allen and the Bills in the Wild Card Round. Of course, four of those final eight games came against clubs that finished with three or fewer victories, and two others were over the floundering Colts — the positive: double-digit victories over the Chargers and Broncos.
Coen’s offense found a groove, and the play-caller proved he has staying power after a short stint in Tampa Bay vaulted him to Jacksonville. However, Coen knows that to stay atop the division is easier said than done. Far more teams are flashes in the pan than consistent winners.
“Establishing is definitely a little easier [in Year 1] because (players) are very ready to hear something different,” Coen noted. “When you have lost or are coming off a tough year, they’re eager, their eyes are bright, they want to hear what you’ve got to say because like, ‘Hey, man. This is what we got, this is where we have to go.’ That was probably a little easier than sustaining it.”
Dealing with a first-place schedule will make it even more difficult for the Jags to repeat as division champions.