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

Nick from Annapolis, MD

I'm just looking for a competitive performance on Sunday against the Rams. As much as the score was competitive in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday, the amount of pressures they gave up was not competitive. The Rams have a strong defense. If they can operate better and keep the score close and show a bit of improvement going into the bye, I still think they are a good 10-win playoff team. If they can't correct things, there are questions. Are they only not competitive against strong defensive lines, or are they primed to collapse down the stretch? Stay tuned, I guess.

The Jaguars' game against the Los Angeles Rams at Wembley Stadium in London Sunday from this view is a tricky matchup – and it's an important matchup for the Jaguars. It's important because a victory would mean entering the Week 8 bye at 5-2 – a better record than many would have expected at that point in the season. One reason it's tricky is the Rams are a similar matchup as the Seattle Seahawks – a team with a defensive front that can dominate a game. Another reason it's tricky is the Jaguars will be without tight end Brenton Strange and linebacker Devin Lloyd, and because defensive end Travon Walker is still playing essentially one-handed because of a wrist issue. Those are three of the Jaguars' better players and it's always tricky playing with key players out or limited. But while Sunday will be tricky, the NFL isn't supposed to be easy – and it doesn't feel as if there's a dominant, unbeatable team in the NFL this season. I expect the Jaguars will pass-block better against the Rams than they did against the Seahawks because I expect it will be a focus this week. I expect them to play better than last week overall because they don't want to be a team that loses consecutive games. Either way, I don't expect the Jaguars to collapse down the stretch this season. While I understand the scars left from 2023, this feels like a resilient team that believes in its direction and will continue to fight. That's a good formula for avoiding a late-season collapse.

Johnny from Jax

Doesn't the fact that the other team makes good plays by outstanding players every now and then matter?

Careful there, Johnny. You're leaning in the direction of logic, reason and perspective. That's often an unwelcome direction in these parts.

Mike from Jacksonville

I'm not going to say his name, but I find it kinda Strange how important they're to the offense.

Here we go.

Al from Orange Park, FL

What are void years, and how do they work?

Void years in NFL terms are years added on to a player's contract to allow bonus money to be spread out over more seasons in terms of the salary cap, thereby reducing the dollar amount to a given year. Example: If a player who signed a $10 million signing bonus with a five-year contract has two years remaining on his deal, he would have $2 million in bonus on the cap in each season. If you add "void" years, you still must account for the $4 million remaining on the cap, but you can do so at a lower amount per season. You still gotta pay, but you can pay less each season.

Jason from North Pole, AK

I'm not as concerned about the big plays over the top. The Jaguars are playing an aggressive style of defense and showing a lot of exotic zone blitzes. It is going to generate turnovers and big plays for the defense, but the downside is it is also going to burn you occasionally.

Perhaps.

Josh from Atlanta, GA

General Manager James Gladstone, Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli and Head Coach Liam Coen are for real. This is not news, but they aren't playing any games with performance, and fans need not worry about that group hesitating to make decisions they believe better the team. They did not draft quarterback Trevor Lawrence, or wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., left tackle Walker Little, right tackle Anton Harrison or a large portion of the roster. This is very much an evaluation season. This one season does not make a player's long-term career, as it shouldn't, but it is going to go a long way toward feeling out the foundation for years to come. I understand the cap and the decisions that can be hamstrung by it, but if certain players do not improve or show they are true core guys I see this leadership having zero issue moving on to find "their" guys.

Your question/statement mentioned only players not drafted or acquired by the current regime. I expect this regime will have zero issue moving on to find "their guys" regardless of who selected or acquired them. This is a business. The only motivation is to win. Decision-makers who get precious with their past decisions aren't making good decisions.

Steve from Nashville, TN

Recently there has been some angst on the internet about the grass at the Pittsburgh stadium as being below professional football standards, generally how is the quality of the grass at EverBank?

Good. And green. And soft to the touch.

Raymond Sis from Windermere

Yo J-Dawg. I know you have to be retired to go into the Hall of Fame, but is there any reason why they aren't inducting Trevor into the pride? He's ready!

The Jaguars don't put players into the Pride of the Jaguars until they are retired.

Chris from Mandarin

It is not really correct to say that Josh Hines-Allen was wrecking games through three or four weeks. The only game he made any difference in was the Texans game, where he was all over the field and had half a sack. Sacks matter. If they didn't matter, the stat wouldn't be reported on so heavily. For whatever reason, the Jaguars are not good at sacking the quarterback. It is a good indicator that the defense is not as good as the amount of turnovers make it look. Oh, and why didn't you answer Mike from Cortland, NY's question? You do that a lot when someone writes in. They make a salient point, looking for clarification and you go off on a tangent with something related only peripherally. I realize the site is free and no one makes us read what you write, but come on man.

Confidence should never be confused with accuracy. Jaguars defense end Josh Hines-Allen has made a difference in far more than one game. I answer questions in the manner in which I see fit because I'm the one answering questions. If someone wants to answer questions differently, they can start their own website, post an email address and answer the questions people submit. My understanding is web domains are affordable enough that almost anyone can do this.

JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL

John. The concerted criticism of Trevor when the Jags are 4-2 six weeks into a new regime is a bit confounding, but not all together unexpected. The success of the Jags is currently inextricably intertwined with Trevor's development. I have faith that Trevor will lead Jacksonville to sustained success in the near term. He has the heart of a winner, which is the most important intangible. Let's not forget that, after giving up four interceptions and being down by 27 points, he led the team to a playoff win. The "Stumbleruski" showed the same determination to win. Let's just give our QB1 a little latitude to keep developing, the results may surprise many.

OK.

Larry from Wattsburg(h) PA

I'm not one to revel in another's injuries but like the idea of not facing Stat Mafford with a healthy complement of receivers! Do you believe we will see more of Tuten this week? I am hoping he flourishes over yonder and establishes himself for future endeavors!

You writing Rams quarterback Matt Stafford's name as Stat Mafford suggests that he is a statistics quarterback, which implies he's more about statistics than winning. This is a view that knowledgeable football types do not share. I don't know that will see all that much more of Jaguars rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten this week. Veteran Travis Etienne Jr. has played well at the position and Tuten is still learning some of the subtleties of the NFL. Either way, Tuten feels like a future starter and perhaps a future star. He's getting there.

Fred from Naples, FL

I hope this new regime gives Cam Little the opportunity to work out his issues. See Jason Myers.

Jaguars kicker Cam Little will have a reasonable time to work out his "issues."

AI from Skynet

Humans make too many mistakes and it's only a matter of time before machines take over sports so everything is perfect and precise.

One of the advantages of rapidly advancing age is I likely will not see such things. This advantage does not fully offset the big – and inevitable – disadvantage.