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 Los Angeles Chargers at EverBank Stadium in a 2025 Week 11 game Sunday.

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. Critical week. This is the biggest, most-intriguing game of the Jaguars' season to date – and this is true well beyond the fact that it's the "next game." The loss to the Houston Texans this past week was a gut punch on a level not experienced every season in the NFL, with the Jaguars not only losing a 19-point fourth-quarter lead, but doing it against a division rival – and doing it with a chance to move into very solid position in the AFC playoff race at 6-3. The Jaguars instead are 5-4 entering Sunday – and while the difference between 6-3 and 5-4 is just one game, it feels bigger. A loss such as the one Sunday can define a season. It can lead to a slide. It can lead to players questioning direction. But such a loss also can be a blip and or a rallying point. The guess here is it will be the latter – because this Jaguars team from this view continues to believe in its direction under Head Coach Liam Coen. The Chargers are really good. A loss doesn't mean disaster for the Jaguars. But you darned sure want to see them play well and look like a team still moving in the right direction.
2. Strangeways, here we come. The Jaguars opening tight end Brenton Strange's 21-day practice window on Wednesday was as welcome a news as this team could have received this week. While there has been much focus on rookie wide receiver Travis Hunter being placed on injured reserve, Strange's absence the last four weeks with a hip injury has had a more negative effect on the offense. He not only is crucial to the running game, he is a reliable third-down option for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. As important: Strange is as tough as any Jaguars player, and it's no coincidence the Jaguars seemed a physical team when he played than when he was out. Expect Strange to play this week. And when he's back to 100 percent, his effect on the offense could be significant.

Brian Sexton, Senior Correspondent…

1. Lawrence and defensive end Josh Hines-Allen are the highest-paid players on the Jaguars' salary cap. They each signed a new deal in the summer of 2024 because they were believed to be foundational players worthy of such a commitment. The Jaguars on Sunday need their best player on offense and their best player on defense to deliver a performance worthy of such a designation. Lawrence has been OK this season; he deserves credit for delivering big against Kansas City and Las Vegas and he put the team in a spot to attempt a game-winning field goal in Houston before the untimely penalty. But quarterbacks are judged by wins; since signing a new contract, Lawrence is 7-10. Hines-Allen also has been OK; he has been strong pressuring quarterbacks, but has 2 sacks this season and 10 since signing his new deal and pass rushers are judged by their sack production. If the best players on your team aren't playing their best, winning is a much more difficult proposition.
2. "Just because you didn't doesn't mean you can't." A coach I have long admired said that to me after a tough loss a few years back. I was lamenting the outcome and pointing out future matchups, and he stopped me mid-sentence with that thought. The Jaguars have issues at left tackle, defensive tackle and safety and lack big-time production from Lawrence and Hines-Allen. But I recall those words and think the Jaguars can line up Sunday and play well for four quarters. Just because they have holes doesn't mean the coaching staff can't figure out a way to hide some of their deficiencies, and just because the Jaguars didn't beat Houston doesn't mean they can't beat Los Angeles. I'm interested in how Coen gets the Jaguars ready to play. There was always going to be one of these gut-wrenching losses in his first season and I think Coen is built for this moment.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...

1. Let it rip. Lawrence has been dealing with his fair share of the blame after passing for 158 yards, one touchdown and one interception against the Texans. Coen, asked Wednesday if the team is getting enough from Lawrence, described a conversation between the two and said his message to Lawrence was simply, "Cut it loose, let it rip and see what happens." At times the past few seasons Lawrence has played hesitantly, perhaps afraid to make mistakes that will cost his team. At this point in his career, Coen and Jaguars fans want to see what he can do if he simply "lets it rip."
2. More names added to the injury report just as one key player returns. Wednesday's Jaguars injury report featured 13 players, including a few new additions since last week. Most notable is wide receiver Parker Washington, who did not practice Wednesday with a hamstring injury. Right tackle Anton Harrison and defensive back Jourdan Lewis also did not practice. Some good news though, as the Jaguars announced on Wednesday that they had activated Strange's practice window. Strange missed the last four games with a hip injury and was limited Wednesday, but the team is optimistic Strange will play Sunday.