JACKSONVILLE – Look-ahead Wednesday.
Let's get to it …
Ray from Newport News, CA
O-Zone, Wow. Here we are with another must-win game. First, allow me to give all the credit in the world to the Denver Broncos as they are taking care of business. Can our beloved Jags win this game? Yes, they can. I would not lock this game, but the Jags have a legit chance. Denver's quality, convincing wins are somewhat limited. The Broncos had close wins against some bad teams like the New York Jets, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, Washington Commanders and the Kansas City Chiefs. They won convincingly against the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys, both average teams at best. Quality wins would be over the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans? Will the Jags win? Would you lock this game?
The AFC South-leading Jaguars (10-4) visit the AFC West-leading Broncos (12-2) at Empower Field at Mile High Sunday in what decidedly is a big game. It's not a "must-win" game because the Jaguars' season isn't remotely over if they lose, but the Jaguars can greatly enhance their postseason positioning with a victory. I don't know if the Jaguars will win Sunday because I can't predict the future and I absolutely won't lock the game for the Jaguars, but there's no reason the Jaguars can't win this game. I believe this not because of any specific comparative scores. I believe this because the Jaguars have been good all season and they're playing at a high level entering the game. It's time to stop looking at the Jaguars as an underdog team that has to play at an unusually high level to beat good teams. They are not a team of Rudys trying to show they can play two or three plays on the varsity. They're a really good team and they've been beating good teams all season playing at their standard. If they play to their standard Sunday, they can win. If the Broncos play to their standard, the Broncos can win. That's how it is when good teams play.
Michael from Orange Park, FL
What the hell is wrong with Richard Sherman?
My Scooby Sense – and not my Scobee or Spidey Sense – tells me you're among many Jaguars fans irritated with former front-line-cornerback-turned-football-knower Richard Sherman because Sherman doesn't appear to like Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. There evidently was some Twitter back and forth between "Jaguars Twitter" and Sherman this past Sunday. I don't know why Sherman doesn't like Lawrence. I don't particularly care that he doesn't. Sherman's entitled to his opinion and that opinion – like power rankings, respect and Vegas odds – means nothing when it comes to how the Jaguars will fare during real games. I am reminded when discussing this of when kids go their parents to complain about something a sibling says and the parent says, "Ignore Billy. He's just saying that to irritate you." Ignore Richy. He's just trying to irritate you.
Lane from Winter Garden, FL
My question is short and sweet: Is Cole Van Lanen the starting left tackle moving forward?
I expect this to be the case. I don't know if this will be the case.
Steve from Nashville, TN
I wanted to give you some props for back in October when your Reader was demanding we trade Trevor for a '95 Boselli rookie card and some marbles. You kept the faith.
The Jaguars were never going to trade Lawrence this season. This wasn't a matter of keeping the faith as much as a matter of understanding the reality of the situation.
Brian from Round Rock, TX
NFL football is like boxing or fighting sports. You have to play with raw emotion because you are engaging in a type of fight which causes pain for you and the one you're playing against. Do the observers get that? The coach sure does.
One fer Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen, 'twould appear.
Neil from Old Natchez CC
JO- What is Park Wash contract status for next year?
Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington as a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft is under contract through the 2026 season. I expect the Jaguars will try to sign him to an extension this offseason, the first time under NFL rules they can do so.
Daniel from Johnston, IA
This game against Denver feels huge. Not because losing to Denver means the Jags aren't good but because the Texans are breathing down our necks. It feels doubly important. Am I wrong?
If the Jaguars lose Sunday and win the rest of their games and the Texans win the rest of their games, the Texans will win the AFC South. That's absolutely one of the reasons Sunday against the Broncos is a huge game for the Jaguars. The Jaguars are a good team no matter what happens on Sunday in Denver.
Jordan from Mandarin
We haven't had to as of late, but my big question for this team as we push towards the playoffs is can we physically run the ball when we have to?
Stay tuned.
Alan from biggest little city
These Jaguars are comparable to the 2007 and 2017 Jags because of their record. Both those teams beat the Pittsburgh Steelers at their home stadium in the same season. The only two teams to accomplish that feat. My question is this, has any team beat Denver at Mile High twice in the same season? Or will this team be the first? Go Flagwads!!!
No team ever has beaten the Broncos twice in Denver in the same season. I don't know if the 2025 Jaguars will be the first, though that's possible.
Name unknown
My God, O! What an embarrassment of riches on offense! What will they do once Travis Hunter comes back? We look unstoppable.
The Jaguars' offense is good. It is not unstoppable and the run of success the unit is on isn't guaranteed to continue. But there are a lot of really good pieces in place and when rookie wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter returns next season it will be what my uncle Otto used to call "a good problem to have." Uncle Otto, while verbose, was sometimes not all that original.
Marty from JACKSONVILLE
Hi, John, I learned a couple of days ago that, while college teams are allowed 20 hours on the practice field each week, the Indiana Hoosiers are only on the practice field 6 hours a week. They spend their time in mental preparation. How much time do pro teams spend on the practice field each week? And what's the possibility that some pro coach could adopt this idea that less time on the practice field and more time in meetings and walk-throughs might give a team a physical and mental edge?
I don't cover college football and haven't for 3 decades, but my understanding of the rules are that teams are allowed no more than 20 hours a week – and 4 hours per day – for all practice/meeting activities. I highly doubt any college team is actually on the field practicing 4 hours per day 5 days a week. NFL teams during the regular season are on the field for roughly 6(ish) hours per week, with no more than one padded practice. Maybe some pro coach will seek a way to be on the field less, but it would be hard to prepare adequately being on the field less than most NFL teams are there these days.
John from Pinehurst, NC
Since you often chide readers for not being nice, what's the deal with Gary from Augustine? He is never nice to our KOAF, but you publish him anyway.
Gary from St. Augustine, Florida is a visionary with the rare ability to see into the true abilities and soul of a man.
Dave from Sweden
Is rookie cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter in the facility or is the away rehabbing at another location? Being on IR doesn't mean he can't be around the team right?
Hunter, who is on injured reserve with a knee injury, is rehabilitating at the Miller Electric Center. NFL players on injured reserve absolutely can be around the team.
Grayson from Old Natchez CC
JO - Trying to be nice, but have lost a game since T Hunter went on the shelf?
Yes. The Jaguars' lone loss since Hunter went on injured reserve was a 36-29 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 10.
Gary from Suffolk, VA
O, I see that we will not get the respect we deserve until we win the big games on a regular basis. I am so tired of hearing Houston, Denver. I truly need us to go into Mile high and apply BTA. #DTWD
I don't know when or if the Jaguars ever will "get the respect they deserve." I do know they control whether they hold trophies in January and February and I know if you hold trophies in those months it doesn't matter if you get respect or not.
