Some good, some bad from opener

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--The Jacksonville Jaguars lost the opener in Minnesota to a Vikings team everybody in Teal Town penciled in a for a win.  Oh well, there are some bright spots worth feeling optimistic about and some question marks heading into the Houston game.

The good:  Blaine Gabbert hung in there and threw for 260 yards, but it took him 39 attempts to get the yardage.  Gabbert didn't throw an interception and put what could have been the game winning touchdown to Cecil Shorts in the only place it could have been thrown.  The bad:  The pass that missed Justin Blackmon in the end zone seemed to hit him in an awkward stride because it didn't look like he could go get it.  The fumble to start the second half is the only turnover for Blaine Gabbert who looked comfortable on Sunday.

The good:  Marcedes Lewis ended his 0-fer with a touchdown catch.  Lewis will hopefully return to his Pro Bowl season of 2010 with 7-10 touchdown receptions.  Mike Brewester stepped and played well for his first game. The bad:  The offensive line is already missing four guards and they have to wait to hear how Cam Bradfield is after leaving the game with an injury.  Uche Nwaneri and Eben Britton are playing hurt.

The good:  Maurice Jones-Drew was in fine form with 19 carries for 79 yards, an average of 4.1 yards per carry.  The bad: Rashad Jennings is waiting on tests for his leg injury after running for 31 yards on 8 carries.  Jennnigs missed all of last year with a knee injury.

The good:  The defense controlled the Vikings for most of the day.  The bad:  They gave up 32 yards in 20 seconds after the Jags took the lead allowing the Vikings to get in field goal range.

The special teams need to sharpen up.  Josh Scobee had another kick blocked and there were two bobbles on punt returns.  That gave the Vikings hope when they were being dominated.

All in all there is reason for optimism.  The loss cannot linger.  The Houston Texans visit on Sunday.