2011 Jacksonville Jaguars season

2011 Jacksonville Jaguars season
OwnerWayne Weaver
General managerGene Smith
Head coachJack Del Rio (fired November 29; 3–8 record)
Mel Tucker (interim; 2–3 record)
Home fieldEverBank Field
Results
Record5–11
Division place3rd AFC South
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersRB Maurice Jones-Drew

The 2011 Jacksonville Jaguars season was the 17th season in the National Football League (NFL) for the Jacksonville Jaguars. It began as the 9th under head coach Jack Del Rio, until he was fired on November 29 and replaced on an interim basis by defensive coordinator Mel Tucker. Del Rio finished his tenure in Jacksonville with a 69-73 record in the regular season and 1-2 in the playoffs. He was also just 4 wins shy of surpassing his predecessor, Tom Coughlin as the winningest head coach in Jaguars history. The Jaguars had hoped to improve on their 8–8 record from 2010, but exceeded their loss total in Week 13, and were officially eliminated from postseason contention. With the 10th pick in the 2011 NFL draft, they selected quarterback Blaine Gabbert from the University of Missouri, and Gabbert would replace Luke McCown as the starting quarterback in Week 3.

The 2011 season saw a dramatic increase in production from the Jaguars defense. This was due in part to off-season acquisitions Dwight Lowery, Dawan Landry, and Drew Coleman in the secondary; linebackers Clint Session and Paul Posluszny; and defensive linemen Matt Roth and John Chick. The development of players such as Terrance Knighton, Tyson Alualu, and Jeremy Mincey also helped improve the pass rush. Even after suffering a multitude of injuries, the Jaguars defense managed to finish with the 6th ranked overall defense in the NFL (The team had finished 28th overall in 2010). Jacksonville's offense, however, was not as efficient. The Jaguars finished last in the NFL in passing yards and total offensive yards gained in 2011.