By Don Coble, Florida Sports Wire
JACKSONVILLE – The funny thing about numbers is they can be presented to tell different stories.
Both of these about the Jaguars are true, but they paint a confusing picture. Fact: Jacksonville has won seven of its last eight regular season games. Not bad, right? Fact: counting last season’s playoffs, the Jaguars have lost two of their last three games. Not good, right?
In reality, the team is that perplexing. After running away from Cleveland, 34-10, in Week 1, Jacksonville collapsed in the second half of Game 2 by giving up the last 17 points in a 20-13 loss at Denver.
So, when New England comes to EverBank Stadium this Sunday, which Jaguars’ team will show up?
Answers, or lack of answers, to these questions will provide important insight into the team’s future.
- Can the defensive line generate any pressure on the quarterback? When a quarterback is unflustered in the pocket, he can pick apart any secondary. Denver quarterback Bo Nix hit 22 of 31 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown. Moreover, he wasn’t sacked or hurried.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has been knocked on his back six times and he’s been intercepted four times in New England’s first two games, so Sunday should be telling.
- Which brings us to another issue: cornerback Travis Hunter. After all, Jacksonville gave up a first, second and fourth round pick in 2025 to Cleveland and its first-round pick for 2026.
So why did he only play 37 of 60 snaps on defense, and only six of 53 plays on offense?
“It was just more the way that they were playing,” head coach Liam Coen said, “but we got to go look at it and see if we can find some more ways to get him some opportunities.”
- Is it time to give up on wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.? After a sensational rookie season, Thomas was plagued last year with 10 drops, especially in critical situations. The case of the yips continued at Denver when he dropped two more passes in the clutch.
“Those are all critical plays,” Coen said. “When you’re struggling, specifically to create and make a play, we need some of our guys to step up. I have to be better in terms of putting them in a better position to be successful as well.”
- Jacksonville must do a better job at scoring touchdowns instead of relying on field goals in the red zone – especially when it has the momentum.
Two Jaguars drives stalled, forcing Cam Little to attempt field goals. The backbreakers was the opening drive of the second half that took nearly six minutes and covered 67 yards. Despite gains of 16, 18, 11 and nine yards, the team lost two yards and had no gains on the following two plays after setting up with a first-and-goal from the 3. Instead of a touchdown that would have given the visitors momentum and a 17-3 lead, Little kicked a 23-yard field goal.
On their next possession, quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw an interception that added fuel to the Denver turnaround.
“We have to be able to score a touchdown in [the] red zone to start the second half,” Lawrence said. “You know, you look at the end of the game, and all of those things matter. We just didn’t make enough plays the back half of the second half.”
Wide receiver Parker Washington isn’t concerned. He feels the Jaguars will be able to rekindle their magic and improve to eight wins in their last nine regular season games – and not lose for the third time in four games.
“We just got to get ready for what’s next,” he said. “We are going to bounce back and come back.”
