JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Stu from Wrestlingworth, UK

KOAF. Chargers this Sunday. Following disasters like the Texans game, previous Jaguar teams have seen their seasons implode. Is this a must-win game to avoid that?

This absolutely remains a theme as the Jaguars (5-4) prepare to play the Los Angeles Chargers at EverBank Stadum Sunday. The loss to the Houston Texans this past Sunday indeed was disastrous, with the Jaguars squandering a 29-10 fourth-quarter lead by allowing 26 unanswered points and losing, 36-29. A victory would have made the postseason feel a lot more likely and would have been particularly sweet considering it would have meant the Jaguars' first season sweep over the Texans since 2017. And with the loss feeling like a gut punch, the idea that it could define the season and lead to an (familiar) implosion is a legitimate one. It's up to the Jaguars to make sure the loss is a one-off and not a trend – and Sunday will be a real test of this team's ability to handle adversity. Still, I wouldn't call this a "must-win" game. The Chargers are really good and losing to them wouldn't by definition be a "bad loss." I would call this a game in which the Jaguars must play better and look like they put the Texans game in the rear view. The Jaguars haven't played all that well lately. They need to show themselves they can do that sooner rather than later.

Sal from Austin, TX

Does a non-contact tear of the LCL indicate an issue with Travis Hunters' lower-body mechanics?

Jaguars rookie wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a lateral collateral ligament. This news was announced by the Jaguars Tuesday. I understand that because of Hunter's star power, and because he is the first NFL player in three decades to play offensive and defense as extensively as he did this season, that there is an obsession with him and therefore with his injury. But we're waaaaaaay overthinking this. Players get hurt in the NFL in non-contact situations. This happens because they're moving at high speeds and doing things athletically few people can do. Hunter was injured practicing football. It indicates he was practicing football. Nothing more.

Forrest from St. Johns

The Green Bay Packers have a wide receiver, Malik Heath, that is seldom used but every time he gets the opportunity, he is making a big play and blocks well. Bet we could steal him in offseason. Can you alert one of the pro scouts to check in on him?

The Jaguars know about Heath because they know about every NFL player. Either way, you're not allowed to steal people in the NFL. It's against a lot of rules.

Hilarious from Funnytown

There have been a couple times this season where Hunter's excitement and exuberance were noticeable on the sidelines and in between plays. The kid has a lot of energy and it's great to see. I also haven't seen the circumstances around his injury discussed, other than to say it was a non-contact injury in practice. Without going into the exact circumstances, can you say whether you think this injury was entirely avoidable and not something you would generally see from a veteran? Or were the circumstances surrounding the cause of this injury those that could ensnare anyone participating in an NFL practice?

My Scooby Sense – and not my Spidey or Scobee Sense – tells me you're asking if Hunter sustained his injury celebrating or jumping around between plays. He sustained the injury during the normal course of practice and it was an injury that any player of any experience level could have sustained. This is football. Injuries happen.

Don from Marshall, NC

If I was the GM of the Jaguars I would go out and sign Blake Bortles immediately to the practice squad and get him ready. He is still in his prime and he is perfect for today's game and he doesn't flinch! You can win a Super Bowl with him. I know he is retired! So make him come out of retirement. The Jaguars would be the only team that would make sense. It's a good story! Trevor Lawrence is a mess. Just a total head case who doesn't seem to be able to grasp the NFL game. He has a great arm but he has no instincts. No touch. Not accurate. The biggest thing is he gets rattled and everyone sees it. Go Jaguars!

When it comes to not being all in on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, and when it comes to being apparently out of touch with reality when it comes to former Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles, Don remains somewhat disturbingly "all in."

Ed from Oxford, FL

I understand that the lack of pass rush creates challenges in the secondary, which are compounded when you blitz. Since help is not on the way, is there any reason to assume this situation will improve?

Can you assume the Jaguars will suddenly rush the passer well? No, they have done little to indicate that will happen? No. Is it possible? I suppose. Will it happen? We'll see.

Fred from Naples, FL

I don't believe this Sunday's game against the Chargers matches up well for us. Their biggest weakness is that they do not have a good offensive line and quarterback Justin Herbert gets hit a ton during games. Well, we don't rush the passer at all and it really doesn't matter how porous the offensive line is that we go against. I do believe we will win at least 8 games this year. However, this Sunday I am afraid will not be one of them.

This is a fair assessment. It's hard to imagine the Jaguars beating the Chargers if they don't pressure Herbert into mistakes. Pressuring the quarterback has not been a Jaguars strength in recent games. It needs to become a strength – and fast.

Leslie from Jacksonville

No question but No. 72 and No. 42 have to go. One can't block and one can't cover and should have had at least 4 interceptions. Take care. Happy holidays. Go Jaguars....

One not fer left tackle Walker Little and another not fer safety Andrew Wingard.

Alex from Vilano Beach Formerly

Hi, Mr. O. I was reviewing the Texans game and two things stood out. 1, Lawrence needs to move better in the pocket when there's pressure. He seems to have his vision locked on the field and he's not making side-eye checks to move and buy a bit of time. 2, why didn't we blitz more often to take the pressure off our defensive four? On two of the Texans' last drives, it was a lot of just our defensive four. The Texans often sent six or seven against our offensive line. Your thoughts?

We've moved on from the Texans game because we're past Look-ahead Wednesday, but I'll look back quickly here. First, while Lawrence could move better in the pocket at times, I want a quarterback's eyes downfield when there's pressure far more than I want him side-eyeing the pressure. Second, the Jaguars didn't blitz more often Sunday because the blitz wasn't working. Rushing the quarterback with four players also didn't work. Those are the two primary options for pressuring a quarterback, which was a big reason the Jaguars allowed touchdowns on every fourth-quarter drive.

Jonathon from Jacksonville

With the remaining schedule, what is your prediction for the final record? Because honestly, the way this team played against the Texans, I say we are no better than 9-8. That's being courteous.

You keep saying that word. I don't think it means what you think it means.

Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ

Can we get a refund on Trevor's contract? Asking for a lot of friends.

Nope.

Justin from NYC

Pass Interference should be a challengeable call.

No, it should not. The problem with interference as a reviewable call is it is a judgement call and therefore very difficult to review – which we clearly saw in the one season in which the league experimented with having it reviewable. The idea of replay is to overturn clear and obvious calls, not to have replay officials re-"judge" judgement calls. When you review interference, you get too many situations where both teams would have a legitimate argument that the call should be in their favor. That means reviewing interference would create as many controversies as it would solve. This will continue to be a debate and talking heads will continue to push for this. But the idea doesn't work.

Jason from Depressedville

Hey, John. Halfway through the season, watching our big 3 (all on second contracts) play average at best and knowing we don't have a first-round pick next year, how long do you think it will realistically take to rebuild this team into a contender.

The Jaguars are above .500 and in the seventh – and final – playoff position in the AFC. This is contending.