WATFORD, United Kingdom – Let's get to it …

Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ

Can you help me understand how defensive ends Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen are paid as elite at their positions? And we believe nose tackle DaVon Hamilton is elite. Yet the defensive line rarely, if ever, pressures the quarterback with four rushers. We blitz a lot more than we used to because just rushing four doesn't get home, which leaves the secondary exposed. Help me understand why the defensive line payroll isn't going producing?

I don't know what "going producing" means. I do know the Jaguars are the NFL's second-ranked scoring defense as they enter Sunday's game against the Houston Texans at Wembley Stadium in London – and I know they haven't allowed a runner to run for more than 40 yards in a game yet this season and I know they haven't allowed a team to score more than 20 points in their last 11 regular-season games. The Jaguars have lost one regular-season game in that span. If you watch this team closely, as most O-Zone readers presumably do, you see a defense that almost always plays well enough to win if the offense is functioning at a good-to-great level. This is a very good overall defense that has played at least good and often great in every game this season. It is a reliable, consistent defense. Maybe all those things would be true if Walker, Hines-Allen and Hamilton didn't play for the Jaguars. I am not sure Jaguars fans want to find out if that is the case.

Dallas from New York City

I am very aware that winning against any opponent in the NFL is difficult and that this is not the Southeastern Conference. That being said, the Jaguars' pass defense and interior offensive line play were concerns at the end of last year and remain a major concern five games into this season. Am I being an overly critical fan of a 4-1 team or do you think these are real flaws that have been masked by back-back last-minute wins?

I think "flaws" and "masked" are strong words here. I think few NFL teams are elite in all areas. The Jaguars have an elite run defense. They are a balanced, good offense that can be very good or better if it can reduce negative plays – i.e., penalties. The offensive line has for the most played at least OK and the pass rush – while certainly not the weakness that many observers – must pressure better, particularly in crucial situations. I don't think the Jaguars have any flaws so great that they can't be playing late in the postseason this season.

Paul from Saint Johns, FL

If you were a coach, how would you scheme this week to slow down the Texans' pass rush? More tight-end formations to chip both ends? Less empty backfields on pass plays so running backs can block? More up-the-middle running plays?

All that and then some.

Nick from Palm Coast, FL

Mr. O. How bad is the Ross Matiscik injury? Will he be out for a while or is it a day-to-day thing? You don't realize how important he is until he is out.

Matiscik, the Jaguars' long snapper, missed the last three-plus quarters of a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles this past Sunday with a shoulder injury. He will not play against the Texans, but he was at practice this week and was not placed on injured reserve. The Jaguars have a bye week next week and I expect he may have a chance to play November 1 against the Indianapolis Colts. Stay tuned. Remember, too: The Jaguars signed Jacon Bobenmoyer to the practice squad this week and he is available for Sunday.

Hugh from Jacksonville

How is it possible that we have gone from the least-penalized team through three games to the most penalized team over the last two?

Life comes at you fast in the NFL and dynamics change week to week. Matchups, game situations, officiating crews … all are dynamics that can affect the number of penalties in an NFL game.

Bill from Jax Beach

Hey, O. If you had to guess, any chance the Jags make a trade before the deadline? I love our defense, but we could use some help in the secondary and with the pass rush getting the quarterback to the ground. I have seen some speculation about us going after Josh Sweat of the Arizona Cardinals or Khalil Mack of the Los Angeles Chargers. And of course the wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. chatter is starting again. What say you?

Midseason Trade Machine!!

Steve from Denver, CO

What is the status of Ewers, is he the 2 or 3? Has he not picked up the new playbook yet? Your thoughts please.

Quinn Ewers, acquired shortly before the start of the 2026 regular season, has been the Jaguars' backup quarterback the last three games after being inactive in the first two games. I have no particular thought on this matter beyond that.

Larry from Wattsburg(h), PA

Will rookie defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. be participating this Sunday?

Yes.

Jacob from NY

Can the Jags sustain this? Seems like offensive line and defensive line are still big issues. Is it just injuries? Thanks!

The Jaguars have won 13 of their last 15 regular-season games. The offensive line has played well enough during that span for the offense to score 25 or more points 16 times. The defensive line is the league's best against the run. The Jaguars have won 12 of 13 regular-season games and 17 of their last 22. They already have "sustained this" and there's no reason if the Jaguars are healthy to think that will change.

Dan from Madrid

We lucked out that we kept Walker Little on the roster. He may not be as good as Anton, but better than other available options. Do we have any tackles on the practice squad who plays the position in the event of another injury? Second question, there is speculation that Parker is looking for around $30 million a year. Since when did wide receivers become more important than offensive linemen and defensive ends?

Retaining depth when outsiders are playing "Trade Machine" is not luck as much as it realizing that very few teams – if any – make it through NFL seasons without injuries at multiple positions. Geron Christian Sr. is an offensive tackle on the practice squad. I don't know precisely what Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington is "looking for" when it comes to his contract, though my impression is he always has wanted what he seems to be earning so far this season. I wouldn't say wide receivers are more important than offensive linemen and defensive ends, but as the position has become more important – to the point that it's now very much the NFL's rockstar, elite position – the salaries not unexpectedly have begun reflecting that.

Steven from Orlando, FL

I don't know why anyone would think the Jags would trade wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. He is a threat, he is a willing blocker and he is a team guy. Why would you trade a good, useful, team-first player when you are in FIRST place to another contender? Especially when BTJ knows the playbook.

Fair.

Bill from Iselin, NJ

Johnny, what's your take on the offense struggling to get play calls in and set? Seems to be really affecting the rhythm of the offense and allowing the defensive line to fire off the ball.

It's the nature of Head Coach Liam Coen's offense that the ball likely often will be snapped close to the play clock hitting zero. This is because the offense uses pre-snap motions extensively, which allows quarterback Trevor Lawrence to get in and out of plays based on what those motions tell him about the defense. Sometimes that means snapping very close to "zero," and Coen has repeatedly said he is fine with that. At the same time, the Jaguars have too many pre-snap penalties and delays in the last two weeks. It has been an emphasis this week and I expect that to improve on Sunday.

D.J. from JACKSONVILLE

I understand that there won't be a Pro Bowl game, but will there still be Pro Bowl voting? Is the Pro Bowl games and designations a thing of the past?

While the NFL eliminated the "Pro Bowl game" moving forward, there still will be Pro Bowl voting with 88 Pro Bowl players named.

Al from Reno-doubt

Jaguars kicker Cam Little making that kid cry. Best in the league!

The NFL is not for the faint of heart. Cheer for a team long enough and hard enough, there are going to be a few tears.

Josh from Callahan

Unpopular opinion, but I don't really care how many sacks Hines-Allen or Walker have. This is a cohesive unit. Nowadays, team chemistry seems to be irrelevant. We will see about that.

One fer the No. 2-ranked scoring defense. And fer the No. 1 run defense. One fer winning.