JACKSONVILLE – Look-Ahead Wednesday. Here we go.
Let's get to it …
Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ
How many good throws did Lawrence make beyond 10 yards? By my count, he poorly missed all but one. So, is that good or bad for an NFL quarterback?
We're looking ahead on Look-Ahead Wednesday, but we'll look to the side long enough to make the point that it's premature at this stage to get lost in a daily give-and-take on whether Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence ever will be an "elite" quarterback. Though some O-Zone readers apparently crave this daily debate, we're just not going to get much traction on the topic until later in the season. To review: Lawrence is in his fifth NFL season, his first in this offensive system. He's coming off what essentially was a lost season last season because of injuries. He was playing well the previous season before a series of late-season injuries. He is improving in his first season under Head Coach Liam Coen in terms of grasp of the offense, footwork and mechanics. He is from this view showing more extended stretches of being in control of the offense, and I like how he has looked in the pocket and throws he has made at times. He has not been perfect and has made some poor decisions and throws, and his accuracy has not been great for some stretches. He must continue the improvement he has made during this past offseason and early this season. If he doesn't improve, that won't be good enough. If he does improve, he has a chance to be very good. That improvement won't all happen this week. There may be stops and starts. But it absolutely can happen and whether it happens is perhaps the major storyline of the Jaguars' 2025 season.
Anita from Springfield
Apparently, I'm relatively alone in this feeling, but ... I feel like Trevor is already greatly improved! He's not fumbling, his mechanics look better, he's making more layups, and he's CONTROLLING the line of scrimmage in ways that give me Peyton Manning vibes. He's still got plenty to grow, but if folks aren't seeing the upward trajectory they're looking at different games than me.
I don't know that Lawrence is comparable to Manning yet in his control at the line of scrimmage. That's OK. That's Rushmore stuff. My sense is many of the people who don't see the upward trajectory are already convinced that that upward trajectory can't happen. Once people convince themselves of something it can take a loooot to convince them otherwise. Yes, Lawrence has improved. Yes, he needs to improve more. It's Week 4. That's where we are.
Dave from Los Angeles, CA
That 21-yard reception by Jaguars rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter was the most electric display of athleticism we saw all day. Will the Jags find a way to manufacture more opportunities for him?
Yes.
Jesse from Back Country
What is the schedule like this week being the Jags play on the West Coast?
The Jaguars' daily schedule remains the same this week as all regular season weeks. There's typically little reason for good teams to change schedules when they play road games within the continental United States.
Albert from Dowling Park, FL
"I don't know if Hines-Allen reads the O-Zone; I assume he has more pressing matters." Cute. I chuckled at this.
I am the king of all pressing funk.
Mike from Atlanta, GA
How about Devin's overall game on Sunday? Do you think the defensive staff may have found the way to unlock Devin's potential? If his game stays at this level, would he be in the running for most improved player on defense from last year?
Linebacker Devin Lloyd played well Sunday and has played well this season. Very well. Yes, if he continues to play this well, then he absolutely might be the Jaguars' most improved defensive player in 2025.
Paul from St. Augustine, FL
Most days when people ask me how it's going I respond with "I can't complain." Now, what I REALLY mean is, if I start complaining, people either aren't listening, or they tell me to shut up. Tomorrow, I will mean, "I can't complain."
Here we go, Jaguars.
Jg from SS. MD
Tough win against a desperate division opponent who are defending division champs. Tons of challenges and adversity, yet the Jags found a way to win. I have seen the Jags lose many similar games over the years. Getting the W is a very positive step.
This is a point that shouldn't be overlooked. It's really hard in the NFL to beat a team that's 0-2. I don't believe in all NFL myths, but I believe in "Desperate Team Syndrome," which says a desperate team is really hard to beat – particularly in the first six weeks of the season. The Texans were desperate Sunday. The Jaguars won. That's impressive.
Armand from Jacksonville
How do players inactive on Sunday get paid a game check or less?
Inactive NFL players get paid the same amount as they would get paid if they were active – their base salary divided by 17.
Ray from Newport News, VA
No question about the ugly start to the season, but if you told me before the season started that we would be 2 and 1 to start the season I would not have believed it. Yes, we should be 3-0. But we could easily be 0-3. I think we have a real chance at winning five of the next seven games.
The Jaguars are 2-1 after three games. There's nothing remotely ugly about this start to the 2025 season.
Chris from Mandarin
The Jaguars have never beaten the 49ers in San Francisco in their 31-year history. Yes, this is a new regime and stats like that are almost meaningless from year to year, but it's nonetheless somewhat surprising. What's it going to take for the Jaguars to finally get a win out there, and not lose yet another game to a backup quarterback?
The Jaguars and 49ers have played in the 49ers' home stadium twice, which means there's really not much surprising or significant in them never winning there. What will it take for the Jaguars to win? An early lead, a consistent running game and a few timely takeaways.
JT from Palm Coast, FL
I have noticed on seemingly EVERY punt return or kick return, Parker Washington hesitates just long enough to basically make his returns useless. He is a pleasant surprise on offense, but he is NOT a returning threat unless he gets the ball and doesn't hesitate. Some guys have that natural instinct, but he doesn't. Just something I've observed and I am sure if I notice it, the coaches have to see it also.
He's catching the ball. That's first. There's time to figure out the rest.
Mapstone from DDUUUVVVVAAAALLLLL
JHA is getting a ton of pressures but has been unable to get home other than the half sack Sunday. What can we do to get him home? Can they scheme him or will those sacks just come at some point if he keeps his pressure rate up?
Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen is consistently disrupting games. He had one of the best games of his NFL career in a victory over the Houston Texans this past Sunday. Sacks are nice, but they're also often circumstantial. If he continues to play this way, he will "get home" quite often. Or maybe he won't. Either way, he will be playing well.
Roger from Houston via Jax
Penalties and dropped passes are killing this team.
Yep. They're what must get fixed.
JT from Palm Coast, FL
When I watch the great quarterbacks play, they are often a big reason why the team won. Trevor in five seasons has rarely if ever been the reason why we win. He has all the talent in the world. He wasn't compared to every "generational" quarterback for no reason. Generational also includes what is between the ears. If by the end of the year he hasn't made that leap, do you believe that he still can? Generational quarterback are force multipliers. Average quarterbacks need A LOT of help to compensate for their deficiencies.
The final 14 games of the 2025 regular season will go a long way toward answering this question. There must be progress.
Scooter from St. Augustine, FL
END AROUND or JET SWEEP? Same thing or different?
Same thing, different eras.
Chevin from Riverside, Jacksonville, FL
In your opinion, why was Jaguars rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten not drafted earlier than the fourth round?
Running backs are overlooked in the NFL draft a lot and scouts can be finnicky sometimes. Personnel people likely thought he was maybe a bit small and overlooked what appears to be a special combination of balance, power and speed. Good fer the Jaguars.
DMiz from Sacksonville
Jaguars defensive end Dawuane Smoot is the consummate pro and I'm sooooo glad he's back. I hope to see him added to the pride.
Smooooooooooot.
