JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it…
John from Minneapolis, MN
Just amazing. Trevor is playing so well.
This is the logical start to this Monday "next-day" O-Zone, with Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence playing perhaps the best game of his five-year NFL career by throwing 5 touchdowns and running for another in a 48-20 victory over the New York Jets Sunday. Perhaps more important than Lawrence's statistics Sunday is that this performance was in no way a "one-off." Lawrence during the Jaguars' 5-game winning streak has played increasingly well. He has 13 touchdown passes during that stretch and has 9 touchdown passes with no interceptions in 3 games since his 3-touchdown, 3-interception performance in a Week 12 overtime victory over the Arizona Cardinals. He is playing with confidence and poise. He's throwing with accuracy. He's running at timely times and he's from this view playing at the highest level of his career. The Jaguars already were good. Their offense already was potent and consistent. With Lawrence now playing at an increasingly high level, this already good team feels like it can be even better.
Kyle from Ingalls IN, and the mean streets of Arlington
Haven't seen a quarterback performance like that since Dan Marino's retirement party. Now can Trevor go into Denver and be Mark Brunell good?
I'm not quiiiiite sure what Dan Marino has to do with the discussion, and I don't know that there's much to be learned or gained from discussing Marino or former Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell in a discussion involving Lawrence. I do know Lawrence is playing at the highest level of his career. I know what he's doing feels sustainable. I know he has a chance to maintain that level in a very big game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High next Sunday. This will be a test. This is exciting, compelling stuff.
John from Jax
Hi, KOAGF. You probably saw this already, but Trevor is the first player in NFL history with at least 5 passing touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown and 50 rushing yards in a single game, per NFL Research. Cool, huh?
That is cool.
CaptBob from JAX
KOAF, by the way no one has mentioned TL made NFL history. First player to throw 5+ touchdowns, 1 run TD and rush for 50+.
John mentioned it.
Tom from The Mean Streets of Nocatee
Travis Etienne is an Albino Tiger
A 5-game winning streak may be causing us all to go a little loopy. When former Jaguars offensive coordinator Greg Olson somewhat (in)famously referred to former Jaguars wide receiver Marquise Lee as an "albino tiger," he essentially meant that while seeing Lee at a high level was beautiful, seeing it was relatively rare (or something like that). It's not rare to see Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. at a high level. It's actually beautifully pretty common these days.
John from Merritt Island, FL
TREVOR!!!!
CAPITAL LETTERS AND EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!!
James from Socorro, NM
Do you think Trevor Lawrence will be the quarterback for the Jaguars next year?
James' got jokes. Good on James.
Jim from Jagsonville
At this rate, I'm getting a Nick Mullens jersey. Go Jaguars!
Jim's got jokes. Good on him, too.
Bob from Coosawatchie SC
Felt like I was watching Dan Fouts and Air Coryell reincarnated.
The Jaguars' offense has been impressive since their Week 8 bye, scoring at least 25 points in 7 games since. They are getting more and more impressive as Lawrence continues to gain confidence, and as he and an improving group of receivers continue to play at a high level. I won't call it Air Coryell. That was rarified air and league-changing stuff. But the Jaguars' offense is impressive – maybe as impressive as it has been at any time in franchise history.
Andrew from Tampa, FL
You sure this isn't the SEC?
I smiled at this.
Brandon from Arkansas
I have often been critical of one part of the team's play often, even when they win. I think at this point if you criticize how the Jags perform, especially Sunday, maybe you just can't be satisfied! The last two weeks have removed all doubt from me that this team is VERY capable of going very far this year!
The Jaguars have won 5 consecutive games. They have won 3 consecutive games by 17 or more points and they have won 4 of 5 games by a similar margin. What's striking – and encouraging – is that they are improving in significant areas. They are better at quarterback now than they were early in the season. They are better at receiver than they were early in the season. They are better rushing the passer than early in the season. This team is growing and developing before our eyes. They are absolutely capable of winning this division and making a postseason run. That won't be easy. The Houston Texans are good and the Jaguars play the AFC's hottest team – the Denver Broncos – on the road next Sunday. But winning divisions and going deep in the playoffs isn't supposed to be easy. This Jaguars team can beat any team in the AFC right now. This is the fun stuff.
Cliff from Everywhere with helicopter
Not many better ways to spend a gorgeous fall afternoon than watching the Jaguars matriculate the ball down the field again and again.
Cliff had him a good day Sunday …
Paul from St. Augustine, FL
So many times in the past the Jaguars have had the "trap" game come and go with a loss. Watching this team not just do what they were expected to do, but in explosive fashion was a pleasure.
… and so did Paul.
Jay from Jacksonville, NC
What is the ceiling for this team, O? And how did they flip the switch so fast and so completely?
The Jaguars have a chance to win the AFC South and win the AFC. I'm not saying they will win the AFC South and/or the AFC. I'm saying they have a chance. They're playing as well as any team in the division or conference now. They also have a chance to finish second in the AFC South because the Texans also are playing as well as any team in the division or conference now. I don't know that it's accurate to say the Jaguars "flipped the switch so fast and so completely. This team has been good all season. They started 4-1 and have lost to three power teams – the Texans, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks – since. They lost one game in one-sided fashion to a Rams team that is as good as any in the NFL and they have beaten quality teams such as the Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs and Texans. They are playing better as the season continues because Lawrence is improving and because a receiving corps that has been rebuilt throughout the course of the season is also improving rapidly. They're playing hard, well and gaining confidence. How did they "flip the switch?" They kept working, improving and believing – and now they're peaking at the right time.
Nick from Virginia Beach, VA
That's the best game I have ever seen a quarterback play. What about you, O?
No. It's not.
Bill from Springfield, VA
Zone, Impressive win today! Unless I am wrong, prior to regular season, you said this team was capable of 10 wins. What did you see in the early day that convinced you the Jags had such potential?
I've received a few emails along these lines crediting me with believing in this Jaguars team before others. And while I usually am quick to take credit for being right – and often equally quick to accept for being right even when I'm wrong – I confess I did not expect this team to be as good as it has been so far this season. I expected an eight- or nine-victory season was possible, with maybe 10 victories if all went right. I didn't expect 11 or 12 to be possible. I thought this would be a team that believed in Head Coach Liam Coen throughout the season, to play hard and to improve as the season continued. That has been the case and those traits have allowed this team to be much better than I – or many others – anticipated.
Dorf from ATLA via JAX
The play where Trevor bailed hard and rolled left and hit Parker...
… was special stuff.
CaptBob from JAX
KOAF, it's time for us fans to just stop fanning and enjoy the ride. The big test is next week. LET'S GO JAGS!
Fans won't stop fanning. Fans fan. It's what they do.
Bob from Weaverville, NC
Do you think Colin Cowherd will finally put the Jags in the "Herd Hierarchy? I've never seen a more biased top 10 list in my life.
It's very possible there is something I care less about than Colin Cowherd's "Herd Hierarchy." Me not being able to think of a thing doesn't mean there isn't a thing.
Brian from St. John's
WE have been waiting a long time for THIS.
Damn right.
