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 San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday.

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. Benchmark. The 2025 Jaguars enter Sunday a dramatically different team than the 2024 version, and they look very much like a team with a solid foundation and strong approach for long-term success. A game such as Sunday's – against a strong, tradition-rich franchise in a difficult venue – is unquestionably a huge opportunity for a team learning how to win and overcome adversity under first-year Head Coach Liam Coen. Note that we didn't call Sunday a "must-win" for the Jaguars. It's not that. But the Jaguars on Sunday will play a consistent team that is unbeaten this season – a franchise that knows how to overcome injuries and difficult circumstances. They will play that team on the road, never having won on the road against the 49ers. The Jaguars won't be favored and must play their best game of the season to win. The reason it's not a "must-win" is they still will be very much in contention for the postseason and the AFC South title if they lose. But the reason it's a huge opportunity is a victory will show the league and Jaguars fans – and perhaps even the Jaguars themselves – that they are very much for real this season, and perhaps further ahead in their progress a month into this regime than many believed possible.
2. Keep trusting, keep feeding. The Jaguars' receiving corps hasn't been as productive or reliable as expected this season, with Brian Thomas Jr. going through well-documented drop issues and rookie Travis Hunter not yet having the eye-catching offensive statistics to match his high level at cornerback. Still, this position group remains a potential strength, with the focus now continuing to trust Thomas and continuing to work Hunter more extensively in the offense. Thomas this past Sunday overcame two drops – and a missed opportunity on a long pass down the sideline – to turn in the game's key play on a 46-yard fourth-quarter reception that set up the game-winning touchdown. Hunter early in the third quarter turned a short pass into a 21-yard first down with the athleticism that made him the No. 2 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Jaguars' offense has shown in three weeks it can run consistently. The next task is to increase explosive plays, with trusting Thomas and increasing Hunter's opportunities perhaps the key to doing so.

Brian Sexton, Senior Correspondent…

1. These Jaguars aren't those Jaguars. Other teams in Jaguars history have struggled in California and against the 49ers, but this team doesn't carry those teams' baggage. This team has a lot of confidence in Coen and Co., and that confidence grew as they kept grinding through the Texans game last Sunday when nothing seemed to be going according to plan. A veteran player just smiled when I asked about it this week and told me that's something you can't plan for, and that winning when you're having a bad day fuels the idea that you'll be unstoppable on a good day. The Jaguars haven't played the 49ers well and haven't played well in San Francisco, but that isn't even on the minds of the current crew – which believes they're getting some traction despite not playing their best football, yet.
2. Keep an eye on the guys in the middle of the Jaguars defensive line this week. Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead has played well in three games this season and he's going home to San Francisco, where he was a part of some great teams and one that played in a Super Bowl. Second-year defensive tackle Maason Smith is definitely getting better and made Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud leave the pocket suddenly last Sunday. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan had to have to watched the Texans tape and knows he has his hands full with ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, which should give Armstead and Smith – who can both rush the passer from the inside – an opportunity to make a hobbled Brock Purdy get moving sooner than he wants if he plays. Or make Mac Jones throw up a few quick passes to add to the Jaguars' league-leading interception total. Either way, this figures to be a good week for the big guys up front on defense.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ...

1. Playing in California may be the right place at the right time for the Jags. It feels as though the Jags are heading west at the right time. The Niners have suffered mightily from the injury bug this year, most recently losing one of the best pass rushers in the league, Nick Bosa, to season-ending knee surgery. Bosa and 12 other San Francisco players were listed on the injury report Wednesday. The Jaguars have struggled In California, going 4-11 in the state, including 0-2 in San Francisco. However, making the trip to the west coast early in the season to take on a banged-up Niners squad feels like a good opportunity for the Jags to get their first win in the Golden State since 2022.
2. Preparing for all the possibilities. The 49ers are not giving anything away regarding who will be behind center for them Sunday. Purdy suffered a shoulder injury and a toe injury in Week 1, and has missed the last two weeks. Jones started in Purdy's absence but reaggravated a lingering knee injury in a win over the Cardinals last week. Both quarterbacks were limited at practice on Wednesday and are splitting practice reps heading into the weekend. Coen said he will prepare his team for both quarterback possibilities and let the chips fall where they may.