JACKSONVILLE – Gameday O-Zone.
Let's get to it …
Michael from Mean Streets of Arlington
If you handpick Trevor's 8-4 record this season and the 13-3 record over the end of the 2022 and 2023 season, then you also have to not ignore he's 9-35 in the rest of his career.
I suppose this discussion will continue far into the future – regardless of the outcome when the Jaguars (8-4) play the Indianapolis Colts (8-4) at EverBank Stadium Sunday for first place in the AFC South. I recently wrote that Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is 8-4 this season – and that he went 13-3 over a 16-game stretch at the end of the 2022 season and the beginning of the 2023 season. I highlighted that period not to make the case that Lawrence is elite or that he always has been good but to make the point that you can clearly win in the NFL with him at quarterback. As for his overall record as a starter, who the hell ever has ignored this? Who could possibly ignore it? It's discussed ad nauseum in this and – I assume – every other Jaguars forum. If you want to believe Lawrence is terrible, believe that. He's going to be this team's starter and you can win with him at quarterback. This is not debatable because we have seen it happen. If the Jaguars win Sunday, they will secure a third winning season in the last four seasons. The last time the Jaguars had three winning seasons in a four-season stretch was 1996-1999. Will Lawrence improve? Will he be elite? Can he be a quarterback that lifts teammates and forms the foundation of a team for a decade? Stay tuned.
Nicholas and Fort Hood, TX
KOAF: With the AFC South potentially being decided on the two games against the Colts, is there and advantage to playing the first game at home or the second game at home or does it matter not a wit?
Just win, baby – and don't forget about the Houston Texans, who have beaten the Colts and Jaguars in the last month and are a game behind both teams.
Bo from Winter Springs, FL
My 17-year-old son and I are heading up in the morning to watch the game in person. It's been an exciting season so far and we're pumped up to go stand in the cold rain and yell as loud as we can when the Jags defense is out there on the field. My first Jags/Colts matchup was back when David Garrard was playing and kicker Josh Scobee kicked the 59-yard field goal to walkoff the W. How awesome would another finish like that be?
Equally awesome to any sort of victory, pretty much.
Pedal Bin from Farnborough, Hampshire, UK
Oh Mighty 'O' / King Of All Funk, pretty sure it was back in 2016 when you pulled the Fender Jazz Bass from the stone outside the Jaguars' stadium and started playing a rhythmic groove that signified that you, Mighty 'O', were indeed the King Of All Funk. All bow and praise!
Your memory fails you, good sir. That was not your truly on the Jazz Bass. It was longtime former Florida Times-Union sports columnist and Northeast Florida cultural icon/thought leader Eugene P. "Gene" Frenette. An honest and understandable mistake.
Bradley from Death Valley, CA
I don't know if there has ever been an exhaustive study on "contract year" but I have zero doubt that it is real. There are many exceptions but in general players play better in a contract year which I'm sure is a testament to preparation, focus, and the fact that legal tender never goes out of style.
Well, now we know Bradley's thoughts on contract seasons.
Jason from North Pole, AK
Jaguars cornerback Jourdan Lewis made a comment late this week that they are "getting healthy at the right time." I doubt he makes a point to say that if defensive end Travon Walker and defensive tackle Arik Armstead are talking internally like they aren't playing Sunday. What say you?
I say the Jaguars have had a lot of injuries and it's possible Lewis was thinking of safety Eric Murray, who may return Sunday after returning from injured reserve with a neck injury, when he said that. But sure … he also may have been thinking of Walker and/or Armstead, who appear to have a chance to play.
John from Jax
Hi, KOAGF. The crowd needs to be loud. No excuses. No hiding from the rain. Get wet, get soaked, get fired up, and spit rain. Go Jags.
Come rain or shine, hell or high water, John is ready for some football …
Bradford from Orange Park, FL
So, I'll look stupid (can you imagine that, from me?) to say it, if it goes the opposite direction on me. But, right now I feel like that the Jaguars are rolling in to this game firing on more and higher cylinders than the Colts - and with a TON more momentum. And (here comes the risky part of the prognostication), I think the Jaguars may get up big, sooner or later, in this contest. Furthermore, I think it could end up having A LOT to do with Travon Walker being back, if he in fact goes. Just a notion. Could be wrong. Can't wait to find out.
… and so is Bradford.
JayPee from The Vortex
Can you weigh in on the Travis Hunter experiment? Was his play worth or trending towards being worth all the draft capital? Many worried the injury risk was high. Regardless of how it came, it came and we lost him for half a season. You still think he was worth it?
The Jaguars traded up to select wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. While injuries were a concern because he was the first player to play extensively at corner and receiver in nearly three decades, his injury occurred in practice and had nothing to do with playing too much or having too much in-game contact of wear. Was the capital spent worth it for his rookie season? Of course not, because he played just seven games. But you don't draft players for one season in the NFL. Will it be worth it for his career? I have no idea. He's trending to be a high-end cornerback and an explosive player on offense. He made multiple key plays that helped the Jaguars win multiple games this season? If he helps the Jaguars win multiple games for multiple seasons moving forward … sure, that would be "worth it."
Chris from Mandarin
It's great to see the improvement of Antonio Johnson this season while Eric Murray has been injured.
Indeed.
John from St Augustine, FL
I kinda like this No. 36 kid.
That's Jaguars rookie running back LeQuint Allen Jr. Good eye. There's a lot to like. He's a football player.
Aaron from White Hall, AR
This is the biggest game in franchise history because it's the next game.
OK.
Paul from Seattle
John, one thing I find interesting this season is how much camaraderie there seems to be among the team as a whole, meaning between offensive and defensive players. I see it in many of the videos the team puts out as well as the body language on Sundays. Maybe it's just a function of winning, or maybe its something else. Is this something you've noticed this season?
It's absolutely something anyone around this team has noticed. It's a very close team. Players talk about it constantly. Some of it is management. Some of it is Head Coach Liam Coen. Some of it is personnel bringing in good people and shaping the roster as they did. Some of it is winning, which usually helps people get along. It's a little of everything and it's cool to watch.
Larry from Wattsburg(h), PA
At what point does going for it on 4th and fieldgoalable (45 yds or less) upset the logic of balanced football? Special team's role is significant I would argue, and the Jaguar's specials are talented!
I don't know what upset the logic of balanced football means. I know coaches these days go for first downs in situations coaches in past days would have punted. I also know that's not changing anytime soon.
Mario from West Kelowna, BC
Don't know, John. Before fans ask for respect from the national media maybe fans need to first get the respect of the Jags' own fans who whine and complain about the team not being perfect and playing horrible yet we're at 8-4.
Fans fan. It's what they do.
Chris from Mandarin
Using the wrist band to get to the line quicker and avoid delay of game penalties is playing better. I've got to admit, sometimes I don't understand your perspective at all. The wrist band made Trevor play better because he can function more efficiently.
Don't get discouraged. Keep reading. Keep thinking about what is written. Keep working. You'll catch up.
