JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Boxcutter Bill from Mass
When you're a good team with a bright future and a whole season ahead of you, these close losses to good teams don't feel like the hopelessness I'm used to. Is that normal?
I don't know what "normal" means as it applies to O-Zone readers, or if it really applies at all. I know the Jaguars lost to the Houston Texans, 34-31, at Wembley Stadium in London Sunday – and I know that with seemingly few exceptions this has set off a wave of angst, anger and frustration so frustrated, angry and angsty that it's easy to forget that the Jaguars are 4-2 entering this week's Week 7 bye. They hold a two-game lead in the AFC South. None of this means they are "set," or that they are guaranteed to win the South for a second consecutive season or that they are guaranteed of anything at all. But, as your email perhaps reflects, it is OK to keep in perspective that the Texans and Jaguars are both good teams. They're also rivals. When good teams that are rivals play, one team often wins a close game that the other loses. I expect both teams will win a lot this season and contend for the postseason. I don't expect most fans to share your feeling that there's no reason for hopelessness. Or angry. Or angsty. Or frustrated. Fans fan. It's what they do.
Jeff from Atlantic Beach, FL
There are no moral victories. But I don't feel so down about the loss to the Texans. It was a hard-fought division game that I felt came down to who had the ball last. The Jags are 4-2 and control their destiny in the AFC South; Trevor Lawrence is playing at an MVP level; and Travis Hunter is emerging as the two-way player we hoped for. There is more to be excited about than depressed.
You make many good points. Perhaps the most important point, one that has been a bit overlooked, is that Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence indeed is playing at an extremely high level. Though I don't spend much time measuring what national observers say about the team, this seems somewhat overlooked nationally. It even seems we're taking this a bit for granted locally, which is positive in a way because he's playing well enough consistently enough that how he's playing isn't causing angst among the fan base. A consistent, winning level from Lawrence is something we have come to assume. That's indeed a good thing, and something that absolutely gives this team a chance after the bye.
Haney from Little Elm, TX
Nice to see the Jags get another touchdown called back because of a penalty. Do we get a trophy if we set the NFL record?!
No.
Not Kokomo Joe from Jax
O. When defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile self-scouts his defense during this off week, he will hopefully address how the Texans exploited the defense last Sunday. I assure you the Colts' DC will be studying what Houston did to carve up the defense. MY question is: I noticed linebacker Foye Oluokun missed defensive snaps more than once to change his cleats, and both vaunted defenses gave up gobs of yards and 30-plus points, so how big a factor was the turf Sunday, and did the field "meet" NFL standards?
You're correct that the Colts – who the Jaguars play November 1 – will study the Jaguars-Texans game, though the thought here is the Colts' offensive coordinator may be the one studying the Jaguars' defense a bit more than the defensive coordinator. I may not be confident enough to "assure" you of this, but I'm relatively sure I'm right. As for the field at Wembley Sunday, here's what Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen had to say Monday: "It definitely is an offensive surface, that's for sure. There were a lot of guys in all three phases on both sides on the ground a little bit. We missed more tackles than we have in previous weeks. Both pass rushes on those sides, you saw guys slipping out of there. The official fell down. Practicing on it all week, you can feel where it's beneficial, and it is a little bit more beneficial for the offense. It doesn't have to rain out there for it to be slick. And then it did rain, so it made it more slick and you saw some of the effects of it. … That surface definitely has a little bit of an advantage to the offense."
Mark from KC via Orange Park, FL
How 'bout the awesome defense! Can you imagine if they could sack the quarterback or cover receivers?
The Jaguars' defense for the most part was very good through the first five games of the season. That was not the case for too much of Sunday.
Dave from Hastings MN via Waunakee
Very apparent that Louis Riddick is still upset about not getting the GM position, blatant bias…
It's always broadcasting in the NFL.
Charles from Riverside
Hello, John. Over their last three games leading into the bye week, the Jags' secondary has given up a total of 920-plus passing yards. And they currently rank 30th out of 32 teams in pass defense. I appreciate the "bend don't break" (didn't work against Houston). And having the No. 1 defense against the run causing opposing quarterbacks to go to the air. And the repeated injuries to our starters and backups in the secondary. But the secondary play has to get better. Any thoughts on where this situation is going, and what the team can do or is doing to rectify? Thanks.
The Jaguars, like most teams, self-study and evaluate during the bye. I expect the secondary plays/explosive plays to be a major focus. They improved in multiple areas following the bye last season. I don't anticipate major personnel changes six weeks into the season. They will work it, rep it and try to improve. That's not a great answer. But that's the answer.
Michael from Snellville, GA
Hi, John. Just wanted to voice my disappointment. At the last 2:34, I thought with us getting the ball at that point, we would run the ball down the field go for go ahead, touchdown in the closing seconds or kick a field goal to tie it up, sending it into overtime. Not leave 2:15 on the clock for them to go for the go-ahead score.
If you think you're disappointed, imagine the disappointment of the players and coaches.
Steven from Rivertown
O-Zone- after all the sticking up for our pass rush and defending our two first-round "star" ends you do, it's funny how Travon is caught in an interview apologizing for their lack of rush. Maybe the lack of sacks actually does affect a game after all?
I'm not sure how Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker was "caught" in an interview. Did someone jump out from behind a bush and ambush him? Walker and defensive end Josh Hines-Allen are huge reasons the Jaguars' defense usually has been very good over the last season-plus. The Jaguars, including Hines-Allen and Walker, also need to rush the passer better – with better results – than they have so far this season. Both things can be true.
Kat from Augusta, GA
Two things. 1)Jags have been more than willing to play international games, the NFL's premiere initiative, and we can't even get the opportunity to play in a fairly officiated game. 2) There is no way the Jags can put Hunter back in the proverbial offensive bag after this game. He is a major asset and maybe the front office will find a way to make a trade that shores up our defense and allowed Hunter to play more offense. We might still be able to get something for BTJ.
Two things. One, though the Jaguars indeed have played in more international games than any other NFL team, that has nothing to do with Sunday's officiating. Officiating may vary in quality from game to game, but such a variance does not equal corruption or bias. I do not expect the Jaguars to put wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter back in any sort of offensive bag, proverbial or otherwise. Hunter is getting more and more comfortable on both sides of the ball, and I expect his usage on both sides will reflect that moving forward.
Pete from Daytona Beach, FL
I'm not playing Monday morning quarterback, but with a fourth-and-four and about two minutes left, it was a dumb decision to go for the field goal. Yes, Jaguars kicker Cam Little can make a 60-yard field goal and he did to tie the score, but the way the Jags pass defense was playing and C.J. Stroud having his way with them, you just knew Jaguars kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn was going to kick a field goal to win the game. Jags should have gone for it on fourth down and put them away with no time.
It kinda, sorta just maybe sounds like you're playing Monday Morning Quarterback. Maybe. Kinda. Sorta.
