After a performance this Sunday, Tank Bigsby is convinced that the tide is changing for the Jags.
With a victorious 32-16 win over the New England Patriots London, Bigsby emerged as the driving force behind the Jags' formidable rushing attack. He charged through with 118 yards rushing and two touchdowns, stepping as the feature back.
The former SEC Freshman of the Year stayed patient, knowing his time would come. That time arrived on Sunday when he set a career record in rushing, equalled his rookie year scoring, and led the team back into the win column.
"Staying patient, staying calm and just waiting on the opportunities to come," Bigsby shared his philosophy during the postgame interview. "When they come, you have to take full advantage of them."
Bigsby. remains committed to helping the team that drafted him in the third round in any way possible.
"I just do what I have to do for this team to win," Bigsby stated. "I just come out and help this team. That is what I try to do to the best of my ability."
In the game against the Patriots, Bigsby and fellow back D’Ernest Johnson carried the ball a whopping 35 times. If Etienne’s hamstring isn’t completely healed by the time the Green Bay Packers visit next weekend – a team that allows over four yards per carry – it will be Bigsby who will have to shoulder the rushing load again.
In his last three games, Bigsby has crossed 100 yards rushing twice. Following a disappointing defeat against the Chicago Bears, the Jags decided to return to basics and refocus on their running game. This strategy, coupled with the team's renewed enjoyment of football, fueled their recent victory.
"We did a lot of work this week," Bigsby reflected. "We leaned on each other and said we had to go back to having fun. I think we went back to having fun. The offense started picking up and the defense fed off that energy. And it just kept going. That’s the contagious thing about this game."
Despite the high-stakes games in his career, including playing in London and scoring in his first game as a rookie, Bigsby savors each rushing opportunity. He understands the rarity and value of these chances in the National Football League.
"It is amazing," Bigsby said. "You don’t get too many opportunities in the National Football League. So when you do, you have to do it to the best of your ability."
During their practice sessions, the Jags noticed a pattern with their next opponent, the Patriots: they seemed to lose steam late in games. With this insight, Bigsby and Johnson knew they just had to keep pushing, and the Patriots' defense would eventually falter.
"As we kept running the ball, we felt the Patriots would get tired," Bigsby said. "So we had to keep going, keep going, keep going. On film, it showed that by the third, fourth quarter those guys would start arm tackling, loafing."
With Bigsby leading the charge, the Jags found their way back into the win column. If there's one takeaway from their victory, it's that sometimes, all it takes is one game to reset an entire season.
