JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Mike from Jacksonville
Before the season, I picked the Jags to win eight games. After watching the Denver game, I pick them to win eight games. Our lines of scrimmage are below average and they have skill-position issues. We need an offseason of acquiring big guys to win. Any feedback?
The Jaguars enter Sunday's game against the New England Patriots at EverBank Stadium having won one game and lost one game in the 2026 regular season. They lead the AFC South through two games and have won 10 of their last 11 regular-season games. They have won 14 of their last 19 regular-season games. They played very well in one game this season against a team not expected to contend – the Cleveland Browns in Week 1 – and won relatively easily. They played not particularly well against a team expected to contend – the Denver Broncos in Week 2 – and lost because the Broncos made bigger plays in the last quarter or so. The Jaguars' defensive line is exceptionally good against the run and must be better rushing the passer. The Jaguars' offensive line played very well against the Browns and not as good against the Broncos. We will have a better idea about each area in the coming weeks, though I do not consider either line "below average." I expect the Jaguars will always seek to improve the lines, though I don't know that there will be extreme urgency in the coming offseason compared to past offseasons. I expect the Jaguars to win 10 or more games and contend for the AFC South title this season, and I think one game rarely defines a season in the NFL.
Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ
Let's be clear about all the whining about a lack of respect. The Jags are not one of the NFL's best teams. Fans need to stop crying like we are.
The Jaguars by any measure were one of the NFL's best teams last season. They have a chance to be very good this season. They have lost one game by a narrow on the road to a team expected to be one of the NFL's best teams this season. We will see how good the Jaguars are this season. That is why they play games.
Michael from Mean Streets of Arlington
Since Jeff Lageman called you, "Johnny" is that what you prefer or can we just call you that to annoy you?
Once I've known you 30 years, we'll talk.
Nicholas from Fort Hood, TX
KOAF: 34-13. No, that's not our win-loss record. That is our scoring in each half so far in a limited sample size of two games. The second half appears to be an issue (granted, we were up in Week 1 by three scores at halftime). Here is hoping to at least score 75 percent or more of our first-half points into the second half and stomp on the neck of our opponents until their fans are begging for mercy for us to stop as they wallow in misery and agony and embarrassment.
The Jaguars struggled offensively in a Week 2 loss to the Broncos. The Jaguars in a Week 1 victory over the Browns took an entirely different approach offensively in the second half because they had the game well in hand. I don't know that it is accurate to consider Week 1's second half as all that much of a reference point when assessing the Jaguars offensively.
JAY from THE BURG, FL
On average, defensive tackles get maybe two-to-four sacks a year. Their primary job is to stop the run and contain the quarterback. Every week, you see the top defensive fronts get their hands up, and that greatly affects the quarterback's timing and vision, especially in the fourth quarter – where fatigue and concentration are always a factor on both sides of the ball, and most games are won or lost.
Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.
Oscar from Palm Coast, FL
Hey, O. Going into the Patriots game, what player or position group do you think has the most to prove? Who needs to show us something Sunday?
The Jaguars' offensive and defensive lines must have better games than they did in a loss to the Broncos last Sunday. I can't see them winning if that doesn't happen. I haven't the foggiest idea what doing so will prove or show.
Tucker from Nashville, TN
Hey, John. I asked before the season about a third pass rusher and you said keep an eye on linebacker Dennis Gardeck. I like Gardeck, but we need some speed on the outside. I am ready to give the kid Brian Thomas Jr. more opportunities on pass rushing downs. What are your thoughts?
I expect Jaguars rookie defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. to get opportunities on pass-rushing downs when the coaches feel he is the best option. If he performs well, I expect he will get more opportunities after that.
JayPee from The Vortex
I was hoping you could lay some football knowledge on us. I hear all the time about the different types of offenses team run: "Two minute, four minute, etc." How many different scenarios are there and when are they used? Are there times when you would run two-minutes offense in the middle of the first quarter or other scenarios like that?
"Two minute and four minute" are the offensive situations tied to time of game that coaches discuss most, with "two minute" generally meaning you are playing high tempo and trying to score at the end of a game or a half. "Four minute" means you have the ball at the end of a game with the lead trying to run the clock and are therefore playing slower tempo with a run-heavy emphasis and passing for first downs. You will sometimes see teams play up tempo – or "two minute" – at various points of the game when teams are trying to keep defensive personnel on the field or trying to the offense a "spark."
Josh from Jacksonville
When we voluntarily trade our attention for entertainment, we engage in a textbook case of commodity fetishism and the commercialization of leisure. Our organic emotions and sense of community are neatly packaged and sold back to us for corporate profit. Breaking out of this loop feels impossible. Collective resistance is a slow, grueling battle, yet reclaiming our autonomy through disengagement leaves us feeling isolated. Even our simple desire to see a specific player on the field is blocked by cold calculations of asset management designed to protect corporate investments. This entire extraction process is cleverly shielded behind the noble veil of "winning," but a championship is just the ultimate product manufactured to keep the capital accumulating. I don't know what I want to ask. I guess I will keep watching. Go Jags.
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
Mark from Orange Park, FL
My response to your reply on my question of why run Chris Rodriguez on first down for one to two yards, making it second-and-long an obvious passing down and quarterback Trevor Lawrence getting sacked! Response: "Exactly, not the SEC, therefore, no more running C Rod on first downs!! Thanks, O-Zone. Glad you agree.
One or two games almost always tells the story of an entire NFL season.
Charles from Riverside
Hello, John. Noticed on the Sunday game's broadcast that Gardeck came up with a lot of good plays, and featured with that "after play" camera close up following plays. So, I looked up his stats and noted he accounted for both of the Jaguars recorded QB knockdowns, led the team in pressures, and had more tackles than defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen or Travon Walker despite ranking eighth in rush opportunities. One for Gardeck. Has he been improving consistently, or is this a one-off game? Maybe a different defensive look created the opportunities? Do you think he will get more playing time?
Jaguars linebacker Dennis Gardeck consistently plays hard and effectively, and he consistently is able to affect the quarterback. It's why the Jaguars signed him in the 2025 offseason and why they re-signed him this past offseason. He somewhat quietly is one of the Jaguars' more effective defensive players. I expect he will continue to be used in the situations for which the Jaguars signed him.
Brian from Douglas, GA
These fans can't be serious with these questions about Hunter, can they? It's Week 2 of a very long season.
Fans typically aren't given to irony or humor in weeks following losses – or ever, come think of it.
