JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars as they prepare to play the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Tex., in a 2025 Week 10 game Sunday.

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. Staying aggressive. The Jaguars' new leadership regime stayed true to its vision as October became November. The Jaguars at 5-3 – a game and a half behind the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South – on Tuesday traded a fourth- and sixth-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Las Vegas Raiders for wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. This was the latest in a slew of trades made since General Manager James Gladstone, Head Coach Liam Coen and Executive Vice President Tony Boselli took over early last offseason – moves that include trading up to No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft to select wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter and trading veteran cornerback Tyson Campbell to the Cleveland Browns for veteran cornerback Greg Newsome II. This regime is committed to the long-term by drafting and developing, which will be its core philosophy. But in the short-term – as they contend for the postseason and build toward that long-term – this regime clearly wants to win now and will aggressively work to do so.
2. Embrace these guys. We're essentially at the 2025 season's midway point, meaning we're well into time to know a team's identity. The Jaguars' identity remains a mentally and physically tough team, one that will play into the fourth quarter with belief and the ability to make clutch plays late. That approach has been evident in multiple tight victories this season – over the Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders – and that seems likely to have to be the approach moving forward. The Jaguars are a beat-up team right now. They gutsily played through injuries and illness to beat the Raiders Sunday and likely will have to grind close victories in the coming weeks to stay in contention. The Jaguars as of now don't seem likely to turn in many one-sided, pretty victories. But they seem very capable of fighting, willing and scrapping their way into the postseason. That's fine. This regime feels like it's building toward future "dominance." Year One team may be about winning anyway it can – weird, wild and even heart-stopping – which could make for a memorable final nine games.

Brian Sexton, Senior Correspondent…

1. I appreciate how the NFL can take a Tuesday in early November and focus the attention of the entire league on one subject. The NFL moving the trading deadline from the third week in October to the first week in November was a brilliant move to make what previously typically was a mild curiosity to a full-fledged media frenzy. I watched social media like everyone else, and it was almost like a mini-draft day. I believe the Jaguars used their draft capital wisely and wonder if teams such as the Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts – who coughed up future first-round selections – mortgaged the future for the present, which is rarely good for the long-term health of a franchise. Either way, it brought interest from fans of a team such as the Colts – who are chasing a title – and to fans of the Jets, who had to be wondering who else might leave Gang Green before 4 p.m. eastern time. No other sports league can command the attention of media and fans as completely as the NFL.
2. Sunday in Houston looks like a turning point game for the Jaguars. If the Jaguars win, they will put the Texans in a hole they won't be able to overcome – and they will therefore make the AFC South a two-team race. If the Jaguars lose, that will allow the Texans to hang around – and though their remaining schedule is brutal, quarterback C.J. Stroud and their defense make anything is possible. Both teams have a laundry list for their injury report this week, though the news that Stroud will not play because of a concussion gives the Jaguars an advantage at NRG Stadium – if they can find a way to take it and run. The Jaguars on Sunday must seize the moment and put themselves on a higher plane than a Texans team hovering between contender and pretender. Yes, the Jaguars are beat up and leaning on less experienced players, but so are the Texans – and for that matter most of the rest of the league. A victory Sunday would be a statement win that these Jags are on the playoff prowl and not simply pretending to be in the race.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...

1. Jaguars backup players must bring their A-Game Sunday. This week's Jaguars injury report was extensive, with three starters – wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland and cornerback Jourdan Lewis – missing practice Wednesday after sustaining injuries against the Raiders. At this point, it seems unlikely any of them will play Sunday, but there was good news Wednesday when linebacker Devin Lloyd – out the last two games with a calf injury – was a full participant in practice. Lloyd will shore things up in the middle of the defense and hopefully help jumpstart the team back into forcing turnovers as it did at the beginning of the season.
2. Meyers is a welcome addition at the trade deadline. Less than 72 hours after playing a game against the Jaguars, Meyers practiced in Jacksonville to get acquainted with his new teammates. The seventh-year veteran is soaking up as much as he can as he can by observing and learning the new system. With a majority of the wide receiver room on the injury report, Meyers may be thrust into action right away. Meyers has a reputation as sure-handed and a precise route runner, which is something quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been missing since the departure of wide receiver Christian Kirk. I expect the relationship between Lawrence and Meyers to develop quickly, and I would not be surprised if we see significant playing time for Meyers Sunday in Houston.