JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
JT from Palm Coast, FL
Your "10 things" is spot on. The Texans have an arrogant confidence towards us. Admittedly, they have owned us in our stadium. This game feels huge for how the season may play out.
The Jaguars (1-1) play host to the Houston Texans (0-2) in an AFC South game at EverBank Stadium Sunday – and my sense is Jaguars fans indeed see the Texans as arrogant toward the Jaguars. My sense also is that perceived "arrogance" is more about the Texans' overall approach as a franchise, which is to be aggressive and confident – and therefore to believe they can win anywhere and not be meek. They're the sort of team their fans love and opposing fans hate. However you interpret the Texans, they will be confident and aggressive Sunday. No question this is a huge game for both franchise – not only for the rest of the 2025 season, but for setting the tone for what could be an intriguing rivalry for the foreseeable future.
John from Jax
Hi, KOAGF. There hasn't been much discussed on the special teams with regards to kickoff coverage and returns. They seem to be losing these battles. Have you noticed the same?
This hasn't been a Jaguars strength this season. It needs to be a strength Sunday because the Texans are really good in these areas.
Kevin from Jacksonville Beach, FL
Hi, John. The offensive line has played well so far through two games. How do you think they will fare against Texans edge defenders Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson on Sunday? Not to even speak of defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins in the middle.
We'll find out soon enough.
Sean from Oakleaf, FL
When players such as Brian Thomas Jr. have a bad day, does it not come out in the receiver room later that week when the pass catchers review the coaches game tape together? Seems like a player with any intangibly rich attributes would not want to lay that down on tape again any time soon?
Of course a player's performance is seen by teammates – not only at his position, but at all positions around the team. Specific to Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., he certainly did not want to "lay down on tape" what he laid down against the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday. Whether he can avoid doing so moving forward is the question he will begin answering on Sunday.
Justin from Houston, TX
Is BTJ another talented Jaguars bust? A fireman who is afraid of fires can't be a firefighter. A public speaker who is afraid to speak in front of large crowds needs to find another job. If BTJ is afraid of being hit by defensive players, he needs to take up pickle ball or flag football. Our players are going let him catch a few short passes and then drill him. He has a target on him now. NFL defenses smell blood in the water. It's time for BTJ to retire. What do you think?
I think it's perhaps a sign of our judge-all-now, hot-take, social-media world that people want extreme short-term measures to long-term situations. Thomas has had one game when it appeared he didn't go strong after the ball. It's not time for retirement. C'mon.
Jaypee from The Vortex
How do you feel about the early Walker Little extension now? Seems like it paid off to me.
Jaguars left tackle Walker Little for the most part has played well this season and he's a real asset in the running game. He could still be stronger at times in pass protection.
Boxcutter Bill from Southbridge
With the Texans' offensive line really struggling to block for quarterback C.J. Stroud, wouldn't this be a perfect week for our big boys up front to go off and ruin plays? I think they have been quietly having a good season.
The Jaguars' defensive line has been solid to date. Defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker have pressured opposing quarterbacks consistently and have been very good against the run, and the line overall has been very good against the run. Any week is a good week for the big boys up front to go off – and them going off Sunday would behoove the Jaguars against the Texans. It's a key matchup.
GP from Savannah, GA
John, Have the Jaguars heard anything from the league office about the clearly missed calls last week?
Probably. It's a topic that concerns fans more than people running organizations because the news – even when positive – is more frustrating than satisfying.
Ray from Jax
John: Goodness gracious sakes alive. No one wants Trevor Lawrence to be another Patrick Mahones every Sunday. I think that is the guy who sneaks in a flask and sits next to me in the nose-bleed seats.
Fair.
Lane from Winter Garden, FL
John, Has working with professional athletes nearly all of your adult life dulled your ability to be starstruck? For example, if you met Michael Stipe or some other musician that you were a huge fan of, would it be a big deal to you?
Meeting a musician that I admire would be different from meeting an athlete because it's not my area of expertise. I don't know that I would be "starstruck," exactly, but it would be pretty damned cool. And Stipe would be at the top of the list. There aren't many current athletes I can name that I would consider all that cool. That's not a matter of being jaded or "too cool for school." It's just that it's my profession.
David from St Augustine, FL
C'mon, guys! Put your fantasy football stat sheets down and open your eyes. If a defensive end is getting enough pressure that it requires the opposing offense to game plan for quick throws and shorter routes on passing downs, thereby shrinking the coverage area for the secondary, this makes them "good and valuable." How many times the other quarterback holds the ball too long resulting in two fantasy points for your defense is fun, but its not the whole picture. Preach on, brother O!
Good eye.
James from Salt Lake City via Jagsonville
O man. To me, pressures are just as important as a sack. Especially when said pressure causes an interception. Which to me is better than a sack. So tell Josh Allen Hines to keep putting the pressure on. Go Jags.
I'll pass this on to Josh Hines-Allen – a.k.a., Josh Allen Hines – though it's not exactly accurate to say pressures are "just as important" as sacks. Sacks matter and it's almost always better to get a sack than a pressure. But defensive players can't always control sacks. They might be playing a team or an offense that throws quickly on timing. Or an end might be getting pressure with the interior not getting pressure. Or the team might be trailing late in games and therefore not getting opportunities rushing the passer. The point of the recent O-Zone discussion is that if you're evaluating a defensive end accurately, it's often important to gauge the circumstances of the sacks and pressures as much as the numbers. That many fans and observers overlook this importance is why many fans incorrectly evaluate the position.
JT from Palm Coast, FL
Jags never seem to beat the Texans at home. We lost last week in a fashion that we have seen many times. I want to believe this team is different, but a lot of us always feel the Jags are eventually going to Jag. Sure, there are a lot of things to like about this team, but a loss is still a loss. Polishing a turd doesn't change the fact that it's still a turd. If this team is different, these are the games that they MUST win. I am sure you feel differently. You always seem to see things through rose-colored glasses, but I can no longer be that person. This team is better than before, but none of that matters if they don't win. You are what your record says you are. I will leave the hard optimism to Don and you. After what happened last year, beat the Texans dammit!!
Most fans look at only winning or losing during the regular season. This is understandable because it's exactly how fans should look at their teams because what the hell else matters? As someone who covers and analyzes the team, it's my job to look at winning and losing – with an eye on the long-term and how they're really playing. When I write and discuss things looking better about the Jaguars these days, it is done through the lens of that eye on the long term. I look at the Jaguars right now and see a team that is doing things that are sustainable and that will lead to long-term success. All that being said, this team can beat the Texans Sunday. They can contend this season. But they have to go do it. Dammit.
