JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Kar from Augusta, GA

Maybe I have "drank the Kool-Aid," but I'm still leaving this loss with a lot of hope. With just a little more consistency and fewer self-inflicted penalties, this team could easily be a playoff team.

You're not drinking anything – at least that's not the reason for your "take." The Jaguars, despite a 31-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, this past Sunday, indeed have shown more good than bad through two games. The Jaguars from this writer's view are a better team than I anticipated them being early in the season. This feels like an offense that can be potent all season, and the offensive line feels like it could be a season-long strength. The defense is creating turnovers and the offense is running consistently. There are some core reasons for optimism here, the disappointment of Sunday's loss notwithstanding.

Mark from Middleburg, FL

Well, O. After this last outing I think it's safe to say the Trevor L Experience is over in Jax. I don't expect he be cut this week, but I am sure we will have a new QB1 next year. What say you?

This has been a common sentiment in the inbox in recent days. From this view, it's a sentiment based more on preconceived notions than the events of Sunday's game. Lawrence threw two interceptions and could have thrown two more. Upon rewatching the game, the first interception was caused by pressure from defensive end Trey Hendrickson beating left tackle Walker Little and the second came when wide receiver Brian Thomas did not go after a pass across the middle strongly enough. Lawrence had a near-miss on one of the "could-haves" and another bear miss on a deep throw late in the first half. Did he make some head-scratching plays? But Lawrence should have had at least four touchdown passes Sunday and the Jaguars should have won the game. Head Coach Liam Coen said afterward the Jaguars could have won with Lawrence playing at that level, and he was right. He wasn't great but in his second game in this system, he was easily good enough to win.

Chief from Biloxi, MS

I'm starting to believe in this team, but T-Law doesn't seem to be the person who will move the team forward.

He will be the person moving the team moving forward.

Steve from Sunroom Couch

Dear, John. Seriously, a practice squad quarterback? And who was the wide receiver wearing No. 1?

Jake Browning is the Bengals' backup quarterback. Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase wears No. 1 for the Bengals. He's in the conversation for best wide receivers in the NFL.

Amy from Jax

Not a lack of talent but a lack of discipline. This can be fixed, yes?

That's the hope.

Thomas from Williamsburg, VA

So, when does Hunter not being able to beat out wide receivers Parker Washington and Dyami Brown for snaps become a concern? He sure does spend a lot of time on the sidelines for offense and defense. Right now, our historic two-way player looks like a backup on both sides of the ball. Not ideal for a No. 1 overall pick.

Jaguars rookie wide receiver defensive back Travis Hunter played 42 snaps on offense and 43 on defense Sunday (according to the official game statistics). He was selected No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Emery from Waycross, GA

Do you think Travis Hunter is too small to be an effective every-down corner in the NFL? The Bengals receivers towered over him.

Hunter is 6-feet-1. He is not small for an NFL cornerback.

Fred from Naples, FL

BTJ is taking the term "sophomore slump" to new levels.

Thomas is struggling. His recent play is a concern. Sunday was a very difficult day for him, with one key drop late on fourth-and-5 from the Bengals 7-yard line that might have given Jaguars a game-clinching first down had he caught it. He also appeared to be hesitant to aggressively try to catch passes across the middle on multiple occasions. The "across-the-middle" issue is tricky and one that will be discussed ad nauseam because there's a gray area of a receiver needing to aggressively go after the ball and a quarterback needing to throw in such a way as not to expose the receiver to dangerous hits from the secondary. "Fault" here is often hard to assess because of this gray area. Thomas appeared on Sunday to be looking for contact on these plays and not doing enough to catch the ball. Whatever the reason, it's an issue and will be a storyline until it's not.

Tucker from Nashville, TN

Hey, John. I know you will dismiss this because it's one play. But in the preseason, BTJ got lit up by Juan Thornhill. It was against the Steelers and I don't think BTJ trusts Lawrence in the middle of the field. Thoughts?

I'm not dismissing the notion or the play. This is a complex notion. Can Lawrence at times do better "protecting" his receivers. Most quarterbacks can. Do receivers sometimes have to make plays on passes where they might take a hard hit. Yes, because professional football.

Brad from Yankton, SD

BJT already unhappy with his contract and jealous of the "Hunter Hype?"

Everyone has theories, I suppose. This one doesn't feel right …

Scott from Orlando, FL

What would cause a young ascending player like BTJ to essentially quit? My best guess is there is a pending league suspension coming.

… nor does this.

Gary from Fleming Island

I am blaming Lawrence for the interception from the Thomas deflection. Lawrence once again put a throw to Thomas where if he must sacrifice his body and a possible injury to catch a pass. In the Steelers preseason game, Lawrence made another pass like that to Thomas, who did try to catch that ball, and was blasted by the safety and the ball fell incomplete. I think this time he realized discretion was the better part of valor and chose to avoid injury.

I suppose you can blame whatever you like. I also suppose we're still talking about professional football. Could Lawrence have made a better throw? Perhaps. Remember, too: Thomas made a similar play multiple times Sunday. The play your referencing was not a "one off."

Bradley from Kansas City, MO

Would love to give Coen a pass, but brain-dead dogs know you take the field goal on fourth down on fourth-and-5 or fourth-and-inches. You force a backup quarterback to score a touchdown. A offense that has to score a touchdown plays way more reckless particularly, with a backup. The chances of the Bengals' getting a touchdown with a backup are 1.83 percent. Game over. Jitters for a first-time coach or systemic incompetence in your view?

Your referencing Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen opting to run an offensive play on fourth-and-5 from the Bengals 7-yard line rather than kick a field goal with the Jaguars leading 27-24 with 3:47 remaining. I agree with the idea that kicking a field goal and forcing the Bengals to score a touchdown would have put more pressure on the Bengals' offense. But analytics rule the NFL these days and analytics says to go for a double-digit lead because a touchdown can't beat you. This was not a hard decision for Coen. It therefore was neither jitters nor incompetence. It was how the Jaguars are going to approach these decisions. Yes, the old-school football guy in me would have kicked the field goal. The NFL no longer is an old-school league.

Larry from Wattsburg(h), PA

Though not the biggest fan of the line "It's always coaching...", I can't help but think the Bengals should have been allowed to score. Do you think their running back would have sat on the goal line a la Maurice Jones-Drew versus the New York Jets? Also on this tush push thing, can a quarterback basically jump and have his linemen throw him in the endzone? #wheremyfootballgone

Coen said he indeed considered letting the Bengals score late in the game, a move that would have given the Jaguas possession down 31-27 with a little more than :50 remaining. This was when the Bengals faced first-and-goal at the 1-yard line. But then the Bengals were called for offsides, which moved the ball to the 5-yard line. That changed the approach because the chances of holding the opponent to a field goal and forcing overtime are much better from the 5-yard line than the 1-yard line. And yes … a player can jump into the air with the ball and be pushed.

Artie from Buenos Aires, Argentina

Much has been made of the disappointing drops by the Jags top receivers, but can we take a moment to admire the work that Parker Washington did on Sunday? Looks like he earned some more snaps.

Jaguars third-year wide receiver Parker Washington had five receptions for 75 yards Sunday. He was impressive throughout the offseason and training camp. He continues to be impressive. He absolutely is earning more snaps.