Jaguars looking for better red-zone production vs Chargers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - The Jacksonville Jaguars had a few extra days to prepare for the San Diego Chargers. They spent a big chunk of it working on red-zone offense.

The Jaguars (4-6) have struggled scoring touchdowns inside the 20-yard line. They rank 27th in the league in red-zone efficiency (43.8 percent), with repeated failures the last four games against Buffalo, the New York Jets, Baltimore and Tennessee.

Jacksonville scored four touchdowns in 14 trips inside the 20 in those games and found the end zone just twice in seven goal-to-go situations. The Jags managed to win three of those four, but they believe better efficiency near the goal line would provide more breathing room in close games.

"Hopefully some of the adjustments that we made will prove to be beneficial," Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said.

Maybe playing the woeful Chargers (2-8) will help end the trend. San Diego is tied for 22nd in the league in red-zone defense.

It's among a number of things coach Mike McCoy's team hasn't done well this season. The Chargers have lost six in a row, their longest losing streak since dropping a half-dozen straight in 2011. They ended that losing streak in Jacksonville.

"You really try to compartmentalize and separate the big picture and just make it about us right now, about playing for the respect of your teammates, playing for the pride not only for the bolts on our helmet but the name on the back of your jersey," Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said. "Let's play for this game. Put your record aside, put everything aside. ... Let's show up and what are we going to do about it? It sounds simple, it may sound silly, but I think that's the only way to approach it.

"When you think about 2-8, you think about the situation we're in, it's pretty sickening and it can make you just go, 'Ohhhhhhhh.' So I think that's the approach."

Although San Diego has lost six games by eight points or less, the Chargers are coming off a 30-point loss against Kansas City and opened as 1 ˆ½-point underdogs against the Jaguars.

It's the first time in more than five years that Jacksonville has been favored in consecutive games. It last happened in Weeks 10 and 11 of the 2015 season, and the Jags beat Houston and Cleveland, respectively.

They have a chance to sweep again. And surely being more efficient in the red zone would improve their chances.

"Those situations, any of the special situations, we have to get better," Jaguars offensive coordinator Greg Olson said. "Our red-zone opportunities, we need to score more touchdowns. Always certainly need to take a close look at everything in terms of scheme, who we're getting the ball to, all of those things are involved in it. We're taking a good, hard look at that."

Here are some other things to know about the Chargers and Jaguars heading into Week 12:

MILESTONE WATCH: Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers needs two touchdown passes to tie Joe Montana for 12th on the NFL's all-time list with 273. Jaguars QB Blake Bortles needs three TD passes to tie David Garrard's single-season franchise record of 23 set in 2010.

FLOYD RETURNS? Chargers receiver Malcom Floyd, who tore the labrum in his left shoulder Nov. 9, hopes to return after missing last week's game against the Chiefs. He returned to practice this week, although in a limited basis.

KEY MATCHUP: Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett is looking forward to covering Jacksonville receiver Allen Robinson, who has 50 catches for 871 yards and seven touchdowns.

"He's a beast. I knew about him in college," said Verrett, who played at TCU and was San Diego's first-round draft pick in 2014. "I think he had a 42-inch (vertical) at the combine, so he can jump out of the gym. He's definitely improved his game, got a lot of confidence in (Blake) Bortles from last season. I've got respect for the guy."

Added Robinson: "I'm prepared for him to follow me all over the field. If he doesn't, he doesn't. But that's what I'm going to assume."

STILL SALTY: A week ago, McCoy said the Chargers were "a salty bunch" coming off their bye. They responded by getting embarrassed 33-3 at home by the Kansas City Chiefs, extending their losing streak to six.

McCoy, at least, remains salty. On Wednesday, he refused to give specifics about right guard D.J. Fluker's concussion, and then chafed at questions about new punt returner Javontee Herndon, who muffed a punt in the Chiefs game. McCoy snapped at a reporter and walked away. The Chargers have just 1 net yard in punt returns this season.