Bradley eager to see how Jags 'handle getting punched in the mouth'
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - It's probably the most important game in Gus Bradley's coaching career.
Coming off a 38-14 loss at San Diego and being 0-2 for the third time in four years, Bradley is seemingly down to just a few chances to turn things around in Jacksonville.
The first one comes at home against Baltimore (2-0) on Sunday.
''It's about us this week and how we come back and how do we handle getting punched in the mouth, and how do we respond to play at a high level,'' said Bradley, whose 12-38 record in four seasons is the second worst in NFL history for anyone who has coached at least 50 games.
The Jaguars believe last week's lackluster effort on the West Coast was a fluke, and that the way they played against Green Bay in a 27-23 loss in the opener was more indicative of what kind of team they've assembled. Now, they need to prove it.
''We had a pretty sound, realistic group of guys that believes in themselves, believes in one another, and understands that when we play well and do well like we're supposed to do, we'll be fine and we'll execute and we'll move the ball,'' quarterback Blake Bortles said. ''We just haven't done that in back-to-back weeks.''
The Ravens have done enough in two weeks to be among the league's undefeated teams. They edged Buffalo in the opener and then overcame a 20-0 deficit to win at Cleveland last week. They have a chance to start 3-0 for the third time in franchise history.
''Resilient. We are a resilient team, able to face all opposition and shortcomings,'' veteran receiver Steve Smith said. ''It was an ugly win, but we pulled through.''
The Jaguars have been involved in plenty of ugly losses since starting to overhaul the roster in 2013. But this season was supposed to be different. Owner Shad Khan said a winning record is ''everyone's reasonable expectation,'' and general manager Dave Caldwell said before the opener that ''we can match up with virtually almost anybody. Our guys just have to perform to a high level.''
It didn't happen against the Chargers, frustrating players, coaches and fans, and raising speculation about Bradley's job security.
Bradley said all the right things this week: calling the blowout an aberration and vowing to get back on track against the Ravens.
''We went out there and thought we were going to play better than we did and we didn't play as well,'' Bradley said. ''We have to come back and get that right.''