JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Kyle from Ingalls, IN formerly from Arlington's mean streets
Why does it still upset me when I see a power ranking like the one from ESPN this week? They have the San Francisco 49ers a few spots ahead of the Jags after we go to their house and just outplay them.
This upsets you because you're a fan. Fans fan. It's what they do, and one of the things they do is get angry at power rankings even though power rankings mean absolutely nothing. Not only do they decide nothing, they are strictly the opinions of people who in most – if not all – cases don't watch all NFL games every week and quite possibly never watch some teams at all. It's very hard to have intimate knowledge of all 32 teams, which means a "ranker" might have some knowledge – and invest time in – a few top teams in a poll but would rarely be able to intelligently discern between the No. 11 and, say, the No. 15 teams. So why do people issue NFL rankings? Because they're easy and people click on them to see where their favorite team ranks. And then they get angry. And then they click again. There is no harm in this. But remember next time you feel yourself getting angry over where the Jaguars rank: On-field results and only on-field results determine what teams make the postseason and what teams eventually win the Super Bowl. Any team can win their way to the only ranking that matters, and that's the one at the end of the season when the Super Bowl is completed. Remember, too: What matters for the Jaguars this week is they play the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday. If they win that game, you will feel great (presumably). If they win, hold on to that feeling and don't worry about rankings.
JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL
John. When quarterback Patrick Mahomes went down in the '22 Divisional Playoff, I was sure the Jax was going to get a signature win against the Chiefs. That was not to be. But a win on Monday Night could make an even bigger and more important statement. Go Jags!
A victory over the Chiefs in an AFC Divisional Playoff would have put the Jaguars in the AFC Championship Game. I like the direction of the franchise right now, but a regular season victory wouldn't be bigger than a postseason victory.
Wes from St Augustine, FL
If we beat the Chiefs, where does that put us in the power rankings?
Higher than if they lose, presumably.
Chris from Norfolk, VA
Should I hope for a ground-game win, or Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in command of a high-scoring shootout but we lose?
Why on earth would you hope for a loss?
Chris from Norfolk, VA
Let's all just admit. This is it!! This is the game we find out if Lawrence is our guy. The line is good, scheme is even better. No more stay tuned. We are done with the we'll sees. This week shows us everything. Thoughts?
Monday will be a big game, an exciting game and an electric moment. I don't know that it's accurate to portray it as the week that will "show everything" when it comes to Lawrence.
Benjamin from Jacksonville, FL BWO Upstate SC
We have seen for three years who Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd was: An immensely athletic player who seemed to struggle with some combination of playbook, assignments, processing, etc. Now, in his fourth season and in a new scheme, he seems like a new man and folks are clamoring to sign him to a long-term contract. However, what happens if Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile is whisked away after the season to take a head coaching job and a new defensive coordinator comes in and installs a scheme that doesn't play to Lloyd's strenghts the way Campanile's has? Now we're locked into an expensive deal with the Lloyd we saw in his first three seasons. All of this to say, no need to rush it.
Fair.
Brad from Myrtle Beach, SC
After watching Mac Jones the last few weeks, I think we may have traded away the wrong QB. Your thoughts?
The Jaguars didn't trade former backup quarterback Mac Jones. He was an unrestricted free agent following last season. My Scooby Sense – and not my Scobee or Spidey Sense – tells me you think the Jaguars should have kept Jones and not Lawrence. My thoughts on this is that I don't agree with those thoughts.
Tony from Johns Creek, GA
Cheers to Mac Jones for leading the Niners to a overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams without the benefit of any of their starting receivers or tight end. He's 3-0 as a starter carrying a 99.1 QB rating.
One fer Jones. I like the kid. I think most anyone who has met Jones feels the same way. I hope he wins a lot of games.
Josh from Rancho Cucamonga, CA
First: Insert narrative that the 49ers would have won with Jones over Brock Purdy, says the national media now. More importantly there have been a lot of fun football quotes that sometimes transcend the sport sometimes, (win baby win, winning isn't everything it's the only thing, they are who we thought they are, etc.) do you have a favorite and why KOAF?
It's always coaching in the NFL. Because it's genius.
Devin from Atlanta
Ok, Radiohead reference! Do you have an album preference? In Rainbows is my favorite full album ever, but Moon Shaped Pool is climbing my rankings with age.
I knew OK Computer was an album by a band called "Radiohead." That's where my knowledge ends.
4-Putt from Jax
I just read again your "10 Keys" to beat the 49ers. Man, you butter those 10 things. Check marks on 1-10 well done, O-Man!
I am the king of all funk.
Rob from St. Augustine, FL
To whom it may concern, start spreading the word to have refs Monday night watch Jawaan Taylor. Lining up 5 yards off the LOS and jumping early. I want to make sure it's called EVERY TIME.
Okey doke.
Bradley from Kansas City, MO
You and many others that comment in this forum like to pretend that a quarterback pressure is as good as a sack , but of course we all know it is not – particularly when you are playing against perhaps the best improvisational/off-schedule signal caller to ever grace the gridiron. The Jags must sack Mahomes and make him feel a little pain. Do you see the Jags holding the Chiefs to 24 or less ?
A pressure is not as good as a sack. Sacks are not always an accurate gauge of how well a defensive end is playing. Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen is a prime example of that this season. He is playing at an All-Pro level and is affecting games at a remarkably high rate. He has a half a sack this season. The Jaguars need to disrupt Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and sack him at times to win Monday. I absolutely think the Jaguars can keep the Chiefs in the mid-20s Monday.
Peggy from PONTE VEDRA
Tom Brady wore a wristband. Enough said.
Well, goody on him.
Josh from New Milford, CT
Never expected this team to start 3-1, but now that they have, going 7-6 the rest of the way to finish 10-7 feels like a bit of a downer. What is the ceiling of this team right now in your opinion?
I don't know this team's ceiling in terms of specific records. I don't know that it can get to a level of consistency that we see from the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills. I'm not saying it's out of the question, I'm saying it's a high level. This absolutely feels through four games like a team that can contend for the AFC South title and push into the middle rounds of the postseason. The Jaguars are good. It's going to be interesting to see how good.
JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL
Question: John. Do you see a time when "Same old Jags" comes to mean physically tough and never say quit? Duuuval!
Trending.
Charles from Cincinnati, OH
This is the best defense I have ever seen. This defense should be called the Teal Take Away. It feels good to be Jags fan again.
This is not the best defense I ever have seen yet. It is a strikingly good defense that stops the run, pressures the quarterback and creates takeaways at a remarkable rate. I like Teal Takeaway. But I also like burlap underclothes, so I'm not always the best judge of things.
Jordan from Mandarin
In your experience covering the NFL, have you seen a promising team struggling on offense make the adjustments needed to become more consistent and go on a run?
Yes, I've seen teams improve. This happens all time.
