JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter/producer Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars as they prepare to play the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., in a 2025 Week 17 game Sunday

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. MVP? Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence's remarkable "turnaround" season has him deservingly in the discussion for a very big honor. We use quotes around "turnaround" because while Lawrence has improved dramatically in the last month, he never was playing as badly as many observers believed. Whatever Lawrence's early level, he has ascended to a remarkable level remarkably quickly in recent weeks – and from this view, his three touchdowns passing and one rushing in a victory over the Denver Broncos this past Sunday marked the best performance in his five NFL seasons. He now has 26 passing touchdowns with seven rushing touchdowns and 11 interceptions for the season – and with 12 passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and zero interceptions in the last four games, he has emerged as a late-season candidate for NFL Most Valuable Player. The thought here is he is as deserving as any candidate for that honor outside Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, whose career season of 40 passing touchdowns with five interceptions will be tough to beat. But it's hard to dispute Lawrence's case. He has accounted for 33 touchdowns this season, is quarterbacking perhaps the NFL's best offense over the last eight weeks and has the Jaguars within a game of the AFC's top seed. Lawrence MVP? Why not?
2. Coach of the Year? It's the nature of the Jaguars' uber-impressive six-game winning streak that we are spending these Christmas Day Quick Thoughts discussing year-end awards. The thought here is just as Lawrence deserves MVP consideration, Head Coach Liam Coen absolutely deserves Coach of the Year consideration. This award from this view should come down to Coen, Chicago Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson and New England Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel – and for several weeks, the thought here was Vrabel likely would win because the Patriots seemed headed for the AFC's No. 1 seed. The Patriots still might secure that seed, but Coen absolutely is as deserving for the award as Vrabel or Johnson. One thing to consider: When the Pro Bowl rosters were announced this week, one Jaguars player was named to the game. That was long-snapper Ross Matiscik. Considering that apparent "lack of front-line talent" (sarcasm font), there must be some reason the Jaguars are playing as well as any team in the NFL. Maybe the head coach has done a decent job?

Brian Sexton, Senior Correspondent…

1. This is the best offense in franchise history. It might sound crazy because this Jaguars offense doesn't have wide receiver Jimmy Smith putting up 116 catches (1999) or running back Fred Taylor scoring 17 touchdowns (1998) or running back Maurice Jones-Drew running for more than 1,600 yards (2011). But what the Jaguars are doing in terms of scoring never has been done before in Jacksonville. They're at 27.33 points per game, which is ahead of both the 2017 and 2007 teams, and no Jaguars team has ever scored at least 25 points in as many games as this team. They've done it 12 times this season, four more than the 2017 Jags. They also have done it in a franchise-record eight consecutive games. Lawrence also is playing at a higher level than any quarterback in franchise history. Those great offenses of the past were pretty to watch, but this offense is clearly No. 1.
2. The numbers don't tell the story but the defense is good too. The only numbers that matter in the NFL are points, and the Jaguars slam the door on opponents when it matters. They did it against the Broncos, forcing a field goal after a goal-to-go situation and getting a takeaway when Broncos quarterback Bo Nix had the Denver offense in plus territory. It's what the Jaguars do defensively. They close out games when the opportunity presents itself. There are numerous examples of the Jags defense turning out the lights this season. That takes a good defense to get the job done. The Jaguars may give up more yards than is ideal. That happens when you play as much zone coverage as this team does, but their 28 takeaways are a testament to their knack for getting the job done.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...

1. More fuel to the fire. Head Coach Liam Coen's Jaguars have been thriving on perceived disrespect, and his team got even more motivation with the Pro Bowl announcements earlier this week. This marks Ross Matiscik third straight Pro Bowl and he is a more than worthy representative as one of the league's best specialists. However, an 11-4 Jacksonville team has no offensive or defensive representation. Lawrence, running back Travis Etienne Jr., linebacker Devin Lloyd and wide receiver Parker Washington were all announced as alternates. While the Pro Bowl has long been considered a popularity contest, this may serve as another major snub in the eyes of Coen and his players.
2. What a difference a year makes. In late December 2024, the Jaguars were limping to a merciful finish of a 4-13 season. Everyone knew changes were coming but few realized how quickly the tides could turn. Much can be discussed about the importance of establishing a culture within an organization. Jacksonville has certainly seen its fair share of failed attempts in the past. The current trio of Coen, General Manager James Gladstone and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli are not just talking the talk, they embody the cultural shift. That new mindset has trickled down to the players, the support staff and even the fans. Those changes produced a 180-degree switch for a franchise desperately in need of a new approach. It's a welcome change in Duval.