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Jaguars News | Jacksonville Jaguars - jaguars.com

O-Zone: Just keep at it

JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Justin from Decatur, GA

I will own up to it and admit I have been very critical of TLaw. The last two games he has shown he can get it done. TLaw, keep making me eat crow. And BTJ, you're back. You couldn't have picked a better time to start getting hot.

These may be the most important storylines from the Jaguars' 36-19 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium Sunday – and that's saying something, because this was a game stuffed with critical storylines for the Jaguars. They took sole possession of first place in the AFC South. Their defensive front continues to be dominant against the run and continues to improve rushing the passer. The team as a whole continues to come together. Etc., etc., etc. But the rapid development of quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the accompanying recent improvement of wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. trump all other storylines from this one. Lawrence's increased confidence in recent weeks is now a trend and not a blip. If what we're seeing is real and sustainable – and there's no reason to think it's not – this team can quickly go from surprise to legitimate contender. If Thomas can continue giving the Jaguars what he gave them Sunday – a downfield receiver in an already reliable group of pass-catcher – then this is a very dangerous offense. The Jaguars have been good all season. The ingredients are suddenly there to peak in December. This is interesting stuff. Really interesting.

Shawn from Moore County, NC

Great win Sunday, Jags. I know this was the biggest game of the year for us so far, but I think the Denver Broncos game will be the biggest game of the year for us. I don't see Houston losing again in the regular season. I think they go 12-5. I think the Jags also go 12-5. My question is if we lose to Denver in Week 16, do the Texans have the tiebreaker then?

Yes. In your scenario, the Jaguars and Texans would finish tied for first at 12-5. They would be tied in the first tiebreaker – head-to-head games – because they split the season series. They would be tied in the second tiebreaker – division record – with each team finishing 5-1 in the AFC South. They would be tied in the third tiebreaker – common games – with each team 9-3. Houston would then win the division in the fourth tiebreaker – conference records – with the Texans finishing 11-2 in conference and the Jaguars finishing 10-3.

Chris from Space City, TX

One fer BTJ! He had a couple big catches. The combination of him and Jakobi Meyers along with Parker Washington could be a dangerous receiving unit moving forward.

Yes, it could.

Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ

Hats off to Etienne! He's getting every yard possible every time he has the ball. This also means the O Line is creating solid opportunities.

Running back Travis Etienne Jr. has been uber-impressive this season. He ran for 74 yards and 2 touchdowns on 20 carries Sunday, and has developed into a runner who squeezes every yard from every carry. He's smart, tough and fast. He also has improved as a downfield runner. He's a pleasure to watch play.

Marky from Middleburg, FL

Wow, O. Just wow. I have been at the top of the list of Trev haters and thought he had played his last games in Jacksonville earlier this season, but the kid came back in a big way!!!! Color me impressed. Now, the real question? Can the kid keep it up? I for one hope so but will not be surprised if he cannot.

Those little lights are not twinkling in Middleburg …

Nick from Annapolis, MD

In a game where he is kept as clean as he was on Sunday, I feel it would take an other-worldly performance to crown it Lawrence's best game. I'm not scouring the memory banks to find it, but I'm going to reserve the next one for one where he has to perform with significant defensive lineman pressure.

… and they're not all that bright in Annapolis, either.

Paul from St. Augustine, FL

"I don't know if we'll ever really get it. That's the beauty of it. It ain't coming. You know that. It's not. And that's the beauty of it. And that's totally fine," - PERFECT answer. I've heard and seen all I need to. Put him in the Pride.

This was Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen's answer Sunday when asked about the Jaguars getting – or not getting – respect nationally. This was cool answer. Fans liked it.

Sensei Rudy from Sacramento, CA

Not a question, just wanted to say that I've been a Jags fan since 1995 and made the trip for my first Jags game ever from the West Coast to watch them destroy the Colts for first place. So thank you Jags and to the entire community of Jacksonville for making this an unforgettable trip. DUUUVAL

Very cool.

I Have Questions from St Augustine, FL

First, when did you learn it was always coaching in the NFL? Second, to whom did you whisper "Hire Mr. Coen as the next head coach of the Jaguars? Third, how many original plays are left in Coen's playbook after: 1 - double-stumblerooski-then-pick-yourself-up-and-quarterback-keeper-around-left-end; 2-68-yard-field-goal; 3-Fail-to-pick-up-a-fourth-down-in-the-red-zone-so-#41-can-sack-the-QB-for-a-safety? Fourth, what's next – or do we have to wait for the right time for Mr. Coen to call up those three plays again?

First, I learned it was always coaching in the NFL in 2011 when I began answering fan questions here in the O-Zone and realized fans know it's always coaching in the NFL. Second, I can't take credit for Coen being the head coach of the Jaguars; he deserves the credit for being so obviously ready for the position during the interview process; third, Coen has plenty of original plays left; and fourth, we'll see what's next. That's why they play games.

Paul from Saint Johns, FL

From my untrained eye, it seemed that Trevor was getting the ball out a fraction of a second faster and throwing to the spot before the receivers made their break. It looked to me as if he trusted his receivers to be in the right spots and threw the ball accordingly. Did you see the same?

This was among the best games I have seen Lawrence play in five seasons, and what you was similar to what I – and a lot of people – saw.

Jay from Jacksonville NC

The Jaguars are 9-4, guaranteed a winning record for third time in 4 seasons. Reminds me of what Bill Parcells said about the Cowboys after clinching a winning record: "you can call us a lot of things, but you can't call us losers….". Most penalizes, undisciplined, lucky…etc . What would YOU call us, KOAF?

I'd call them AFC South leaders – and I damned sure wouldn't call them undisciplined or lucky. You don't get to early December five games over .500 on luck. You don't consistently beat teams over .500 on luck. They're good. Maybe call them that?

Gabe from Washington, DC

If they wanted to, could the Jaguars find a way to bring back defensive end Travon Walker, linebacker Devin Lloyd, running back Travis Etienne Jr., Jakobi Meyers and offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen?

Walker is not an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. It will be difficult to re-sign Lloyd, Etienne, Van Lanen and Meyers.

Kyle from Ingalls IN, and the mean streets of Arlington

Now I have never meet Micheal when I was living on the mean streets of Arlington, but Trevor is getting better than Byron Leftwich good, I would say passing David Garrard good and almost Blake Bortles good. He just needs to remember, as the KOAF has pointed out time and time again, it's wait and see if he becomes Mark Brunell good. And right now, every week is better and better for Trevor.

Lawrence has been good for a while and is getting better. He has quarterbacked the Jaguars to winning seasons in three of four seasons, something no quarterback except Brunell has done. How good he is compared to former Jaguars quarterbacks will play itself out.

Nunzio from Jacksonville (DUVAL)

Looking at the final 4 games, the Jaguars are realistically positioned to win at least 3 of them. The matchups are favorable, the momentum is there, and the roster is finally getting healthy at the right time. The only real challenge on paper is Denver, and even that game feels more like a test than an expected loss. If Jacksonville stays disciplined, avoids the turnovers that have hurt them earlier in the season, and leans on their strengths, they should be able to close out the stretch strong. This is their chance to finish the year with confidence and secure the kind of statement wins that set the tone heading into the postseason. What say you?

The Jaguars are positioned to win games down the stretch. They have momentum and the roster is getting healthy. Every game is a real challenge in the NFL.

Tony from Johns Creek, GA

O, right you are! Consistent winning over multiple seasons will get you headlines.

Yep.

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