JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Big from Funkytown
At what point – or how many more victories will our Jags have to get – before we merit more respect from the national media instead of being a footnote in a segment in Good Morning Football, Pass the Mic or God forbid, Colin Cowherd, who for example seems to go out of his way from even mentioning our team if he can help it? By the way, this game on Sunday will be my son's first time watching in person at EverBank Stadium, so here's hoping for an early Krimma present victory.
I don't know what it will take for the Jaguars to earn "respect" from the national media – and while I could say some of this all-important "respect" could be attained by beating the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium Sunday, this likely would be more disingenuous than factual. And that's OK. While I understand fans like to hear national media talk about their teams, the reality is it takes a lot of winning – even more than the Jaguars have done to date this season – for a small-market NFL team to be discussed nationally. Teams such as the Dallas Cowboys and those from bigger, "traditional markets" aways will be the default topics of choice in such arenas. This is a ratings thing more than a "respect" thing. The nice thing about this is it matters not a bit. NOT A BIT. These people influence nothing when it comes to the NFL. They also know next to nothing about the Jaguars, and that's also OK. It doesn't matter what they know or don't know. This is not college football. If you win enough to get into the playoffs then win all your games, you will hold trophies on national television. That's the "respect" that lasts. And Merry Krimma.
ROY from Ridgewood Orange Park, FL
John, I am a big critic of Trevor. But I have to admit that he has looked pretty darn good in the past two weeks. Coincidentally, that has been the two weeks that he has worn the Wrist Band. I am going to assume that Trevor will wear the wrist band from now on. Go JAGS!!
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence does not own a magic Wrist Band, nor is there a magic Wrist Band in the Jaguars' organization. The wristband Lawrence has worn the last two games is not why he has played well. But it has helped the offense get to the line and get the ball snapped a bit quicker at times, and I expect him to wear it moving forward.
Jason from North Pole, AK
Jaguars guard Cole Van Lanen is the 14t-highest graded guard amongst 79 eligible on Pro Football Focus. A reader mentioned paying him like a top backup this offseason. Are we sure he isn't going to get paid as a long-term starter?
No.
Brad from Fruit Cove, FL
Anyone who is ready to give up on Trevor Lawrence should look at the careers of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and Colts quarterback Daniel Jones. They all reached a significantly higher level of play roughly seven years into their NFL careers. Tough game against the Carolina Panthers aside, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is arguably playing his best football ever in his 17th season. Don't get me wrong, there's a standard of play Trevor has to meet today. But so long as he's consistent enough to help us win more than we lose, it's foolish to write him off. No, he hasn't looked like a "generational prospect" in 2025, but that doesn't mean he can never be MVP-caliber. His best years are almost certainly in front of him, and when those seasons come along. I don't exactly want him standing on the opposing sideline.
I don't know how fans and observers feel about Lawrence. I, like you, can't tell you the exact trajectory of Lawrence's career. I can tell you the Jaguars are 8-4 and Lawrence has played with a lot of confidence in the last two weeks – an encouraging level of confidence. What I can also tell you is the Jaguars believe in Lawrence and he's going to be their starting quarterback for the foreseeable future.
Brian from Round Rock, TX
As an old-school, hardened, ink-stained wretch, what is your reaction to fans that complain about exciting games? I think they are (a word that can't be printed in a family forum).
I think fans fan. I think it's what they do.
Steve from Nashville, TN
Given the NFL Players Association recent playing surface preference discussions, where are we on what kind of surface will be played on in the Stadium of the Future?
To be determined. Field technology is changing rapidly and the SOTF is scheduled to open in 2028, not December 2025.
Jason from North Pole, AK
"My team is on the floor." Been reading the O-Zone for a long time. That was one of my favorite answers. Loved the layers to it, well done.
I am the king of all funk.
JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL
John, My 88-year old Dad is a lifelong fan of the New York Football Giants going back to the Yankee Stadium days. He is a keen observer of Big Blue and Dad's take is that Daniel Jones is a pretty good quarterback, but spent his time with the Giants "running for his life" – meaning no protection. The Jags should not underestimate Jones' arm. They don't call him "Dimes" for nothing, With all the key injuries on defense, can the Jags maintain steady pressure on a hobbled Jones and keep him on the run?
The Jaguars will not underestimate Colts quarterback Daniel Jones. Stopping the run consistently so that they have a chance to rush Jones in negative down-and-distance situations will be a priority Sunday. The Jaguars' pass rush has been much better the last three games than it was early in the season. Maintaining steady pressure indeed will be key for the Jaguars Sunday. Can they do it? Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
Pat from Jacksonville
Do you think Parker Washington will play and if not who will field punts?
Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington is questionable entering the weekend with a hip injury, and I think in this case "questionable" absolutely means a pretty much equal chance he will play as he will not play. If he doesn't play, I expect the Jaguars to elevate wide receiver Austin Trammell from the practice squad and have him return punts.
Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ
How in the world have you posted multiple questions recently that make some version of a comparison of Lawrence to Brett Favre? Please tell me those people were kidding?
Why would they be kidding?
Nicholas from Fort Hood, TX
KOAF: Did people really write in and say "you stink" when the Jaguars were 3-10? Do they actually think you have any influence on player acquisition or hiring coaches? What's wrong with people?
Nothing's wrong with people, at least not in the context of this discussion. Fans fan. It's what they do.
Bryan from Tampa, FL
If Wes from Ponte Vedra doesn't know KOAF, then "Moodachay" is probably not in his vocabulary
And he probably wouldn't know a Shadrick Sighting if he stepped into one crossing the street. Poor sap.
Raymond Sis from Windermere
Since you stated a current player cannot be in the Pride of the Jaguars, can Jaguars Owner Shad Khan create a "Circle of Awesome" for Trevor and defensive end Travon Walker? They obviously are going to be a shoe in.
I'm not sure if Khan will create a Circle of Awesome, though I do expect he could put Lawrence and Walker on a list of very good players on the 8-4 2025 Jaguars.
George from Hartwell
What is the team doing about reducing penalties? That's our worst enemy.
Emphasizing it.
Benjamin from Jacksonville, FL BWO Upstate SC
Obviously, we don't have a Brad Meester or Uchi Nwaneri on the line this year, but I would love to see running back Travis Etienne Jr. and/or Bhayshul Tuten channel their inner 2011 Maurice Jones-Drew and run wild on the Colts. With Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner out Sunday. do you think the current Jags offensive line has it in them?
I expect the Jaguars will emphasize the run Sunday and I expect them to be able to run effectively because they have done so more often than not this season. I don't expect them to "run wild" because the Colts are good. I expect the Jaguars to need a few big plays in the passing game to win Sunday.
Reese from Lutherville, MD
I'm surprising my teenage son tomorrow with news that we're road-tripping down to his first Jags home game. I'm so excited to share this memory with him. I haven't been down in 15 years, but I wanted to be a part of this season. Just wanted to write and say I'm excited to see ya'll!
Phenomenally cool.
