JACKSONVILLE – Look-Ahead Wednesday.
Let's get to it …
Bill from Springfield, VA
Zone, Seems to me the presence of Zay Jones in the lineup makes Ridley more productive. Is Zay not getting the accolades he should and is he that much better than our other wide receivers?
The Jaguars' offense indeed has been at its most productive this season with wide receiver Zay Jones, with two of the team's three highest-yardage games (Buffalo and Tennessee) coming when he has played. Wide receiver Calvin Ridley also has had his best three games – Week 1 at Indianapolis, Week 5 at Buffalo in London and Sunday against the Titans – when Jones has played. I don't know that it's fair to think Jones' presence always will guarantee huge games for Ridley and the offense, but there's little question he matters. It's not that Jones is "that much better" than the other Jaguars' receivers, but his presence does help prevent Jaguars opponents from doubling and shading Ridley as much. The Jaguars have five front-line skill players around quarterback Trevor Lawrence: Ridley, Jones, wide receiver Christian Kirk, tight end Evan Engram and running back Travis Etienne Jr. The offense is at its best when all are healthy and playing.
Jonathon from Jacksonville
Big O', the Kansas City Chiefs' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles is huge! What are your thoughts regarding our upcoming matchup in three weeks against the Ravens for seeding?!
The Jaguars need to beat the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston Sunday and the Cincinnati Bengals at EverBank Stadium the following week for the game against the Baltimore Ravens at EverBank Stadium December 10 to have much to do with seeding.
Marcus from Jacksonville
For years and years, Jaguars fans have been told to not make snap decisions and wait for so-and-so to develop into a good player. Time and time again, we've waited and waited until that player is cut or not re-signed, never developing into who we or the team hoped they'd be. In light of that, it's nice to see Devon Lloyd take such a major jump from Year One to Year Two. He was one of those players last year who didn't show a lot of signs of greatness, but this year he is playing Pro Bowl-caliber football. How about one fer D. Lloyd?
Lloyd, the No. 27 overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, indeed has developed in his second season. This is not uncommon. The NFL is different enough from college football that it is in a very real sense a different sport. Lloyd's progression this season made sense. He struggled with the speed of the game as a rookie and with reading offenses, etc. Those are areas where players typically improve in Year 2. That has happened for Lloyd. One fer him.
Jason from North Pole, AK
Devin Lloyd is turning into a stud linebacker. Jaguars are third overall in total run defense and he and Travon Walker are a big reason why.
Yes.
Sal from Austin, TX
Lloyd has been really consistent at being barely adequate. You saying he has been consistently really good tells me, that as a senior writer, you might want to go back and watch some film.
What I likely will do instead is keep keeping so maddeningly right so maddeningly often. Just to, you know, frustrate you.
Deane from Daytona Beach, FL
Yo O-Zone! After this game and the performance of Tank Bigsby, is this the game that Johnson moves into the RB2 slot? Johnson is definitely taking advantage of the opportunities given to him! Or do you see Head Coach Doug Pederson doing the same thing he did with Lloyd last season and let Chad Muma go in his place for a couple of weeks?
I expect D'Ernest Johnson will be the Jaguars' backup running back until further notice. That was his role this past Sunday and he has earned staying in that role.
Bradley from Sparks, NV
Not one coach has ever said anything remotely interesting to a reporter at halftime which is all Carissa Thompson admits fabricating. I applaud her for her commitment to a smooth NFL broadcast. One fer Carissa.
It's Charissa and you can't make things up in reports and call yourself a journalist. So no … not one fer Charissa.
Blaine from Jacksonville
Mr. O, The real question concerning Calvin Ridley is his worth. Is he worth a four-year, $72 million contract, $20 million signing bonus with $37 million guaranteed; and more importantly, a second-round draft pick? Because that is what it is going to take. What say you, KOAF?
This will play out over the rest of the season. Ridley is the hardest Jaguars receiver to cover and he's the receiver most capable of making an above the Xs and Os play in a crucial situation. Those elements are hard to find and therefore expensive. I would have a tough time not re-signing him.
Nicholas from Fort Cavazos, Texas
KOAF: Can you please remind us how many minutes the Jaguars trailed against the Titans on Sunday?
Zero – the same amount the Jaguars trailed in victories this season over the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Crash from Glen Saint Mary
Sing with OZ! I get knocked down, but I get up again. They are never going to keep me down ...
Go drink a Whiskey drink.
Brad
Will the Jaguars be allowed any time off for Thanksgiving?
Thursday's schedule will be adjusted to allow time for players and coaches to observe Thanksgiving. Aside from that, it's a normal week. They got winning to do on Sunday.
John from Cape May Court House
If the O-Line blocks like they did on Sunday for the rest of the season, we might not lose again this year. That is all. As you were.
The Jaguars allowed no sacks and rushed for 144 yards Sunday against the Titans. If those statistics are in that range every Sunday, I would guess the Jaguars win six of their last seven games. That would get them to 13-4, so yeah …
John from Pacific, MO
The Jags finally get Trevor healthy from his knee injury and the Jags call multiple runs in the red zone? Do we not have anyone else who can run inside the 10?
You seem to be suggesting that the Jaguars called plays for Lawrence to run in the red zone. He scrambled for two touchdowns in Sunday's victory over the Titans.
John from Jacksonville
Hi KOAGF - It will be a playoff atmosphere on Sunday with the winner having control of their own destiny. The Texans will be the leaders by means of winning both games against the Jags, but the overall record will be even. If the Jags win, a huge edge by being two games up. The bottom line is that, although I want the Jags to win, the Texans deserve it if they win. It's getting more fun these last two seasons having meaningful games in November and December.
Jaguars fans didn't get to see their team in these games for much of a decade and a half. These are the fun ones.
James from Palm Coast, FL
Mr. O do you think all the Kansas City fans are in an uproar, crying themselves to sleep as PM may not be the Him the franchise QB. Oh the humanity of it all!
I'm sure Chiefs fans are bemoaning something. Their team lost Monday and fans fan. It's what they do. But quarterback Patrick Mahomes is still "all that" and "him," or whatever the word is now.
Cliff from ORANGE PARK, FL
Since the Texans and 49ers gave the Jags such a hard time and they run the same defense, is there something about that scheme that is particularly difficult for Pederson's offense or Lawrence's skill set?
Not particularly. The Jaguars produced 404 total yards against the Texans in Week 3. They had no three-and-out possessions, and they moved past midfield on all but three drives – one that ended at their 46, one that ended in an interception and the other that ended when the game ended. The Jaguars committed two turnovers in Week 3, missed a field goal and had a field goal blocked. The 49ers and Texans do run the same scheme, and the 49ers dominated the Jaguars. My sense is that had to do more with a dominant defensive front than scheme. The Texans have a good defense. But the Jaguars can move against this defense. If they avoid mistakes, the sense is they can score against it, too.
Charles from Savannah, GA
Shaquille Leonard in a Jaguars uniform?
I doubt it.
CaptBob from Jax
KOAF, I took note that while you didn't publish my recent comment, you liberally used my "angst " word choice, not once but twice in your "Quick Thoughts" article after the game. Credit please?
The English language was spoken in my house growing up. It is spoken in my house now. I didn't need to read "angst" to use it in a sentence.
