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 New York Jets at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville in a 2025 Week 15 game Sunday

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. Just as big. If last week was big, this is bigger. That twist on a longstanding NFL cliché rings true as the Jaguars move from a one-sided home victory over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday toward Sunday against the Jets, Yes, the Jaguars (9-4) moved into sole possession of the AFC South by beating the Colts – and with that status, they have begun gaining some of the "respect" fans crave and players/coaches use as motivation when it doesn't come. Remember, though: Four games remain in the season and the Jaguars have cinched nothing. Certainly not the AFC South. Not even a wild-card spot. The Colts, while injured and slumping, remain a game behind in the division. The Houston Texans, along with the Jaguars one of the NFL's hottest teams, are also a game behind in the division. And if the Jets are struggling at 3-10, they are a team with a new head coach (Aaron Glenn) – and teams with first-year head coaches play hard late in the season. Sunday is critical, and the Jaguars need to show they can win consistently enough late in the season to earn postseason berths and division titles. And while it's not as high-profile as last Sunday's game, it's absolutely just as big.
2. Step by step. Don't look now, but the Jaguars' quarterback situation is getting encouraging. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, in his fifth season since being selected No. 1 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, has thrown 9 touchdown passes during the team's 4-game winning streak – and he has thrown 4 touchdown passes with no interceptions in one-sided division victories over the Tennessee Titans (25-3) and Colts (36-19) the last two games. Notably, he has played increasingly confidently in the weeks since Head Coach Liam Coen publicly and privately counseled Lawrence to "Let it Rip" – meaning to stop worrying and being careful, and to just go play. Coen notably expressed confidence in Lawrence even after a 3-interception, 3-touchdown overtime victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 12 – and Lawrence after that game said publicly that he wasn't going to play scared even throwing interceptions. The result has been an improved quarterback, with the past two games his best games of the season – and among the best of his career. Lawrence appears to be making a significant jump, one that feels sustainable. If it is, this offense – and this team – could be very good in the coming weeks and moving forward.

Brian Sexton, Senior Correspondent…

1. If you play how you practice, then I saw Lawrence's best game of the season happen on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week. I thought last week was easily Lawrence's best week of the season with his decision-making, accuracy and command of the offense on display at the Miller Electric Center during the week – and on the field at EverBank Stadium Sunday. He's playing at his highest level since 2022-23, which makes sense because he's getting his guys back on the field and he's getting more comfortable with what Coen is asking him to do. He's in command of the offense and he knows it. "We had a great week of practice, our team did, just the focus," he said Wednesday. "This time of year, coach has done a good job of trying to take care of our bodies in certain part of the practice so we can take a little bit of the physical toll off it. But mentally just the communication and the way the guys are moving around and talking and just how sharp our practices have been I think has reflected how we've played in the games." For what it's worth, Lawrence looks like he's putting in another strong performance in practice this week.
2. This team is getting healthy at the right time. Everyone practiced in some capacity Wednesday, according to the Jaguars midweek injury report. That hasn't been the case since early September. You can't help but be optimistic about this team's late-season opportunity when you see wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. and Parker Washington back on the field with Jakobi Meyers and Tim Patrick, who have both made big catches in key situations in their absence. Same at tight end, where Brenton Strange and Hunter Long are healthy and competing with Johnny Mundt and Quintin Morris, who both stepped up while Strange and Long were hurt. The offensive line has an abundance of options. So does the secondary, where cornerback Jourdan Lewis and safety Eric Murray have returned in recent weeks to go with an improved version of safety Antonio Johnson and the expected return of safety Andrew Wingard. A healthy roster allows the Jaguars options and answers, which might be a difference maker down the stretch.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...

1. Earning his way. Offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen continued to impress with a great performance at left tackle last week starting in place of the injured Walker Little. Van Lanen has played every position on the line except center this season, excelling when his name has been called. Coen told the media Wednesday Van Lanen has been playing really good football and has earned a starting spot on this team. This is consistent with what we have seen from Coen throughout the beginning of his tenure here in Jacksonville. The coaching staff has been committed to playing the best players, not just sticking with starters no matter what. Recent success stories include undrafted free agent pass-rushers Danny Striggow and B.J. Green II. It's time to add Van Lanen's name to that list.
2. Nothing much to worry about behind center. Lawrence surprisingly popped up on the injury report for the first time this season, with Wednesday's report saying Lawrence was limited at practice with an ankle injury. The team practiced in hats and shorts, and Lawrence was a participant during the media portion of the practice. He spoke to the media Wednesday afternoon as well, which indicates to me he has every intention to play Sunday. It's something to watch, but not something Jags fans should lose sleep over at the moment.