JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Richard from Irvine, CA

Nine games into the season, what part of the team can fans look at and definitively say it is better than last year? Would be hard to argue Trevor is better. Receivers are worse. The trenches on both sides are the same, maybe a little worse on average. Defense has given up multiple 90-plus yards to backup quarterbacks with a chance to put the game away. Heck, even long snapping is worse.

What parts of the Jaguars are better this season than last? The parts where the Jaguars are 5-4 through nine games and contending for the postseason – and it's indeed important to remember that this team remains very much in contention for the postseason entering Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers at EverBank Stadium. The run offense and run defense have been better, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence overall has been better. The tight end position has been significantly better when Brenton Strange has been healthy, and the offensive line as a whole has been at least somewhat better than last season. The team also overall has been better forcing turnovers. Those are areas that are better overall. This past Sunday – a loss to the Houston Texans – was not good, particularly in the fourth quarter. Such a loss makes everything look and feel bad. But the Jaguars this season overall are not bad. They are inconsistent and they have flaws. Some of those flaws can be overcome. I suspect others will be the reason their season ends short of the Super Bowl. They are also very injured right now. But they are better than they were last season.

Zachery from Jacksonville

The Jags have been A LOT better this season than last year. They seem to want to win more and also there is a lot of potential still. I mean … the Jags beat the Kansas City Chiefs earlier.

Zachery, meet Richard. Richard, meet Zachery.

John from St. Augustine, FL

We heard all training camp about footwork, timing and getting the ball out quickly. Seemed like we were doing that early in the season. Now Trevor is holding the ball longer. Are the receivers just not getting open quick enough?

Sometimes. And sometimes Lawrence is holding the ball a step or two too long – or longer. And sometimes he's about to throw and the protection breaks down. It takes a village.

Brad from The Avenues

Just get me to 9 games (officially a winning season) and I'll choose to be happy. Oh, and sweep the Titans. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, SWEEP THE TITANS!!!

OK.

John from St. Augustine, Fl

It's been 5 years now, so when is Lawrence going to finally become a consistent quarterback? Doesn't seem like he is coachable anymore. Maybe he should be benched for a game or two. And start looking for his replacement next season.

Lawrence is in his fifth NFL season. I don't know when he will become more consistent; most NFL quarterbacks have stretches of inconsistency. He absolutely is coachable. He's not going to be benched – nor should he be benched. I expect Lawrence to be the Jaguars' starting quarterback next season regardless of the outcome the rest of the season.

Tom from Moncks Corner

Jacksonville has a miserable record for picking decent quarterbacks. After five years, all things point to Trevor just being another failure. Lawrence is different in a couple of ways; He is being paid like stud while he plays like a dud, and he makes no effort to improve. His stats are worse than Blake Bortles. At least Bortles attempted to improve his game by spending part of every offseason with Tom House. Trevor spends his off time roaming the beaches and working on his tan. Don't you think that maybe he was paid so much without proving himself that he just doesn't have the stimulus to improve? Saying "I need to play better" after every game just isn't getting it done.

I do not in any way, shape or form believe Lawrence lacks motivation or effort when it comes to trying to improve – and saying he makes no effort to improve is categorically incorrect.

Royce from Jacksonville

The starting defensive line for the Jags has to be the most disappointing return on investment second only to the one at quarterback … yes ?

The Jaguars' defensive line overall could play better.

Chuck from North Augusta, GA

It's unbelievable to me that Trevor Lawrence is still considered the starter for the foreseeable future. Every week it's the same thing: he didn't play well, he's got to play better, look in the mirror, blah, blah, blah. The only way I can explain any commitment to him is because of his contract. It's really frustrating that the Jags are in this situation. We finally have what seems to be a good coach and general manager, both held back by a quarterback they didn't select.

Part of the reason Lawrence is considered the Jaguars' starter for the foreseeable future indeed is his contract. Other reasons are that he has played well at times in five seasons, makes a lot of big-time throws, has made a lot of clutch plays, has done some very good things, is very talented and is better than other quarterbacks on the roster. But part of it is his contract. It's professional football. Such things matter.

Kerry from Mount Airy, NC

Hey, John. When all the haters run Trevor out of town and he's an All-Pro next year for another team, make sure to remind them every day here in the O-Zone in the opening comments.

If healthy, Lawrence will be the Jaguars' starting quarterback next season.

JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL

John. The injury report just keeps growing, not to mention the walking wounded. Do the Jags have enough quality players left to really compete for the rest of the season?

Good question. The Jaguars are very injured right now. The positive is most of their key injured players likely will return this season. Can they compete through this circumstance? We're about to get a big 'ol dose of finding out.

Donecaring from Overit

John, if you're the receiver with the most drops in the league, maybe you look at yourself in the mirror and realize you have a problem. If you're the quarterback with the most dropped passes in the league, maybe you look at yourself in the mirror and realize ...

… that NFL receivers are supposed to catch the ball?

Kenneth

Do the Jaguars have a developmental problem? Most good NFL teams are able to develop their middle-drafted players (Rounds 3,4 and 5) into solid NFL players. For the last seven years, the offensive and defensive lines have been terrible. The Jaguars need to hire an offensive line coach and a defensive line coach that can develop draft picks into solid NFL players. What's even worse, The Jaguars have problems developing their first- and second-round picks into good NFL players. It's the organization that is the problem.

Most good NFL teams develop players well. Most good NFL teams also have hits and misses in the middle rounds – and throughout the draft, for that matter. The Jaguars hired offensive and defensive line coaches this past offseason to develop players. I don't expect them to hire new offensive line and defensive line coaches this coming offseason. We'll see how it goes.

Dennis from Jacksonville

Good morning. I do not have a question, rather I'd like to pay a compliment. I think your writing, perspective and overall journalism is refreshing. Your assessments of the team and organizational dynamic seem honest. I like to read what our opponents senior writers say after a game and we are fortunate to have you. Thank you.

I am the king of all funk.

Jeff from Atlantic Beach, FL

"And while they are still very much in playoff contention..." PLAYOFFS?! PLAYOFFS?! YOU KIDDIN' ME?

The Jaguars currently hold the No. 7 and final "playoff" position in the AFC for the 2025 regular season.

Shawn from Moore County, NC

The Jags are easy to beat. It only takes two steps. Blitz Lawrence every down and play your backup quarterback. End of season record 8-9 or 7-10. Preseason Top 3 needs: O-line, D-line and safety. Postseason Top 3 needs. O line, d line and safety. How many seasons away do you think we are from being a contender?

The Jaguars currently hold the No. 7 and final "playoff" position in the AFC for the 2025 regular season.

Chris from Mandarin

Calling the Jaguars contenders, while they're only one game above .500, with the injuries piling sky high, while the team does almost nothing well aside from stopping the run, which may be skewed because the pass defense is so bad, is pretty disingenuous, even for you.

The Jaguars currently hold the No. 7 and final "playoff" position in the AFC for the 2025 regular season.