JACKSONVILLE – It's Week 2, and Week 2 is what matters.
Doug Pederson on Wednesday said that has been true in the aftermath of a Week 1 loss – and that the aftereffects of that game will not linger.
"We do that on Monday," he said of moving forward from Week 1.
That was the tone around the Miller Electric Center Wednesday as the Jaguars (0-1) began preparing to play the Cleveland Browns (0-1) at EverBank Stadium Sunday.
"Some sting more than others," wide receiver Christian Kirk said of a 20-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins Sunday. "I'd be lying if didn't say that one stung a little bit more. But you have to flush it. You digest and be critical about what happened.
"Once Tuesday comes, you have to flush it. We've moved on and we're ready for this week."
While much of Pederson's Wednesday media availability focused on Sunday's loss, he said the thoughts of players and coaches were on a Cleveland team that made the postseason last season.
"We kind of turn the page [Monday], and guys come in Tuesday and really start focusing on this week's opponent," the Jaguars' third-year head coach said.
"We know where we're at," quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. "It's Week 1. Every game is important, so we don't take it (the loss to Miami) lightly, but we also understand it is a long season and we have a lot of confidence in our team and the group we have, and we do need to improve and not make those mistakes and not continue to make those mistakes.
"It's the NFL, and you've got to move on. If you're still thinking about how the game went on Sunday on Wednesday, we're trying to get ready for the Browns. We can't be thinking about the Dolphins anymore."
Tight end Evan Engramcalled the team's mindset this week a sign of the "growth of this team." The Jaguars lost five of their last six games last season, and emphasized being a resilient team throughout this past offseason.
"We understand there is going to be adversity," he said. "Our motto is that we're going to respond to it. We're going to attack it. That's the kind of practice we had today. Everybody responded and we had a good day."
Pederson said the key to moving forward is improving "the mistakes we made, the subtle things, the communication issues offensively, even some of the communication issues defensively."
"Have we corrected those?" Pederson said. "We won't know until we get out on the practice field and Sunday."
Pederson also noted the importance of takeaways and giveaways. The Jaguars lost one fumble and forced no turnovers against the Dolphins, with running back Travis Etienne Jr. fumbling into the end zone late in the third quarter for a momentum-changing touchback.
The Jaguars had 27 takeaways and 22 giveaways in 2022, then has 27 takeaways and 30 giveaways last season.
"We have to create takeaways and we have to take care of the football," he said. "If we do that, it definitely helps your chances."
The Jaguars lost, 31-27, to the Browns last December. This was the second game in a stretch of five losses in the last six games. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence played through an ankle injury in that game, throwing three touchdowns with three interceptions in a game in which the Jaguars allowed two early touchdown passes and never led.
Deshaun Watson, who missed 11 games of last season with a shoulder injury, is expected to start at quarterback for the Browns Sunday. He was sacked six times and intercepted twice in the Browns' 33-17 Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
"This is a good football team," Pederson said, adding of last year's matchup: "You have to look at it – personnel, what we did offensively and defensively. Offensively, we didn't take care of the ball very well in that football game. We turned it over too many times and it still came down to a one-score game. There are some positives to take away from it.
"The biggest takeaway for us is we have to protect the football, which again we didn't do on Sunday."
NOTABLE
- Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell "potentially" could be placed on short-term injured reserve, Pederson said Wednesday. "We haven't made a decision there," Pederson said. "We'll see the length of time it will be. We haven't made that decision yet." Rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones played 17 snaps Sunday and veteran cornerback Montaric Brown played 19. "We have options; let me put it that way," Pederson said. "I thought Buster did a nice job filling in last week, obviously. I really like where he's at and what he's done, so that's a good option for us."
NOTABLE
- Safety Daniel Thomas practiced limited Wednesday after missing Sunday's game with an Achilles issue. Left tackle link-placeholder-2 also practiced limited. Campbell did not practice.