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 Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., in a 2025 Week 13 game Sunday

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. Better and better. The Jaguars at 7-4 are very much in the playoff picture, with a very real chance to win the AFC South – that despite national pundits and observers talking more about the Texans and Colts in that vein. A reason their chances are realistic is this team continues to improve as December approaches. Not only is the offense continuing to play to its identity and becoming more consistent with 27 or more points in each of its last four games, the defensive line – after struggling at times in the first nine games – has turned in two of its strongest performances in back-to-back victories over the Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals. Perhaps most importantly: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is steadily improving within the offense. Yes, he threw 3 interceptions and lost a fumble Sunday against the Cardinals, but the plays he made to help the Jaguars win – touchdown passes to wide receivers Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington – were among multiple plays that day that showed Lawrence making the throws and decisions winning quarterbacks must make. We're not going to see perfection from Lawrence. But if recent signs become more the norm, that will complement the improvements seen elsewhere around the roster enough to make this an interesting December and January.

2. On the fly. Perhaps the most-overlooked strength of the 2025 Jaguars has been the ability to develop through adversity, with significant roster changes making this a different team than even three months ago. Consider the wide receiver corps. The season began with Brian Thomas Jr., Dyami Brown and Travis Hunteras the top three receivers. That trio didn't play this past Sunday, with Washington and Meyers – now the top two options in the passing game – each making critical plays. The Jaguars defensively have adapted through injuries in the secondary, winning Sunday with Christian Braswell and Montaric Brown at cornerback and Antonio Johnson at safety. Some of the changes have been injury-induced and some have been performance-related. Whatever the factors, for the Jaguars to have adapted and improved during such transition is impressive and bodes well for the short- and long-term future.

Brian Sexton, Senior Correspondent…

1. Simmons is a game-wrecker in the mold of Chris Jones. Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons doesn't get his deserved credit because the Titans have been near the bottom of the NFL standings in recent seasons. Whoever lines up against Simmons will have to fight him for every inch of turf, because – as Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen said this week – "he strains through the echo of the whistle." When the Titans were looking to move players for draft selections near the NFL trade deadline this month, they made all players but quarterback Cam Ward and Simmons available for discussion, which say everything you need to know about what they think about their best defensive player. The Jaguars' interior offensive line, particularly left guard Ezra Cleveland, has been good. But it will have to step up its game this week because Simmons demands constant attention as few defensive tackles do.

2. Win/loss record means nothing at this time of the season. The 7-3 Chargers came to Jacksonville two Sundays ago left with a 35-6 beating. The 3-7 Cardinals then gave the Jaguars the kind of game we expected from the Chargers. Don't be deceived by the Titans' 1-10 record, by their rookie quarterback or by them having an interim head coach. They have lost six consecutive games, but their last three losses have come by a combined 16 points. Remember, too: The 2021 Indianapolis Colts came to Jacksonville for the season finale and needed only to beat a rookie quarterback, an interim head coach and a team that had lost eight consecutive games to secure a playoff spot. They lost 26-11 and left to begin their offseason. A monster AFC South Showdown against the Colts is waiting for the Jaguars on December 7 if they leave Nashville with a victory. It's anything but a given.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...

1. Thankful the Jaguars are again playing important games in November. After a disappointing 2024 season, the Jags are firmly in the playoff picture. Jacksonville sits one game behind the Colts in the AFC South – and if the season were to end today, the Jaguars would be the No. 6 AFC seed. This team is exceeding expectations in what many would consider a transitional year under new leadership. The Jaguars' postseasons potential is in their own hands with a favorable schedule ahead and it starts Sunday in Tennessee.

2. Potential for another pass rush problem? The Jaguars seem to have rectified their pass-rush issues during their last two games, looking dominant against the Chargers and Cardinals. While the pass rush fared well last week without defensive end Travon Walker, they may also be without rookie Danny Striggow. Both players are dealing with knee injuries and did not practice Wednesday. Walker's importance to the defense is immeasurable and Striggow recently had success as his playing time has increased throughout the season. Their loss may not be overly significant this week, but they would both be sorely missed in Week 14 if they can't go against the Colts.