JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Woody from Dunlap
With the Colts' defense currently ranked 27th against the pass, with their top cornerback unlikely to be able to play, with us playing at home, getting BTJ back to stretch the field, is it too much to be expecting a successful passing day for Trevor and Co? If we are wearing the Prowlers, that should seal the deal!
This is something of an overlooked storyline as the Jaguars (8-4) prepare to play the Indianapolis Colts (8-4) at EverBank Field Sunday with first place in the AFC South at stake. The obvious – and most important – storyline is the Jaguars' top-ranked run defense versus Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, the NFL's leading rusher this season and very arguably the league's best player at his position right now. If the Jaguars can at least somewhat limit Taylor Sunday, the thought here is they will win. But the Jaguars' passing game is one of the hidden pre-game storylines that can matter very much come game day. I expect the Jaguars will emphasize the run Sunday offensively, and I expect the Colts know they will do this. I expect the Jaguars to run somewhat effectively, though not enough to win without hitting a few big plays in the passing game. The passing game therefore is a huge part of this game, particularly the return of wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. He's getting healthy at the right time and what he brings – potential explosiveness downfield – is what the Jaguars' offense largely has lacked this season. I expect the game plan will be to try hit an explosive play or two. If the Jaguars do this, I expect they will win. Also important to note: Woody is ready for some football. I expect he is not alone.
Matt from Pace, FL
Should Coen be in the discussion for Coach of the Year?
I expect at this point New England Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel will have a very good chance to win NFL Coach of the Year this season, particularly if the Patriots maintain their status as having the NFL's best record. I also expect Chicago Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson to be in the discussion. Both are deserving. But if Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen isn't in the discussion at this point it's a pretty silly discussion.
Nick from Palm Coast, FL
Why not try to sign wide receiver Jakobi Meyers to a contract now? We all know wide receiver Dyami Brown is gone after this year along with his $10 million. Meyers will demand more money the longer we wait.
In due time, Nick. In due time.
Bradley from Death Valley, CA
I know Ben Johnson was the hot head coach candidate in the offseason and he has done a tremendous job, but my theory has always been that the Jags like Coen as a coach about as well as Johnson and as a person way more than him and were glad when Ben Johnson turned down their offer. Am I on the right track or was that just a long, badly written sentence with limited punctuation?
The Jaguars weren't remotely regretful when they hired Coen as head coach and they aren't remotely regretful now. They liked him from the start. I have no feel for whether the Jaguars liked Johnson as a person. I heard nothing to indicate they disliked him to any degree.
John from Jax
Hi, KOAGF. You keep a great and consistent flow of articles each week along with this daily zone. However, the new reactions/tweets feature is very lame. Sorry. Thanks, anyway, for all you do.
I don't know about that feature, and I sense I may be too old to care about it. You're welcome.
Fred from Naples, FL
I find it interesting that in listening to all the podcasts not only on this website but talk radio that no one is discussing the weather forecast for Sunday and how it might affect the game against the Colts. It is calling for 100% chance of rain. In your opinion who does this favor?
It's two teams that want to run and typically run well. I'm not sure it particularly favors either the Jaguars or the Colts.
Ripley from Bunnell, FL
What is the vibe in the building? Not with the players and coaches, but everyone else. The support and football staff? What does everyone think of the new regime and how they are building this team from the inside out???
They're all in. Why wouldn't they be?
Wes from Ponte Vedra, FL
For us 'Zone newbies, what's the' KOAF'/'KOAGF' backstory?
I once wrote for a reason I don't recall that I was the King of All Funk. I then wrote for a reason I no longer recall that I was the King of All Grizzly Funk. It became a thing.
Mark from Crescent Beach, FL
I believe you missed my point. We came out throwing all 4 downs, 3 terrible passes and a sack. True the sack on third down kept clock running. My question probably went out before the roughing the punter but that was what saved a very poorly executed first time having the ball in the second half.
I got your point.
Bob from Coosawatchie SC
It wasn't that long ago when it seemed Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen's teams would dominate the AFC for a decade. Things can sure change fast in the NFL. All the more reason to enjoy the Jags success while it's happening.
This email has a post-mortem tone. I'm not sure they're writing the NFL career eulogies for Mahomes, Allen and Joey Ballgame just yet.
Paul from St. Augustine, FL
A year ago, our quarterback was going on injured reserve, we were on our way to a 4-13 record, it was a near certainty that our head coach would be fired and many fans were discouraged that it was nowhere near as certain that our general manager would be also. What a difference a year makes.
A wise(?) man once said "Things sure change fast in the NFL." This man is ready to write off the careers of three of the NFL's best quarterbacks. I can't remember who this man was.
Michael from Mean Streets of Arlington
A wise man once said you are what your record is. Lawrence is 30-42.
'Tis the season for wise men, evidently. Yes, and if you're dug into Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence not being good because of his overall record, then you're unlikely to change your mind or read anything into his 8-4 record this season. Or a 13-3 record over the end of the 2022 and 2023 season. Lawrence is the starting quarterback for this team and is going to be the starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. He's also showing serious and encouraging signs of improvement in recent weeks. Neither of these topics are uncertainties.
Bryan from Lutz
Having covered the game for a while, do you put any stock into the "contract year" phenomenon? To my untrained eye, Buster Brown, Ezra Cleveland and Devin Lloyd have all had their best seasons in a Jaguars uniform this year, and are all scheduled to become free agents in 2026. Props to them for playing well, but do you get the sense that this is simply non-linear player development? Or is there a bit of extra motivation when your contract is expiring.?
My thought is you must be careful when assuming a player having an exceptional season in the final year of a contract is only doing so because he is in a "contract year." Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown, for example, is playing well and standing out more this season than he has in the past in part because he is getting far more opportunity to do so. Guard Ezra Cleveland and linebacker Devin Lloyd are indeed playing better, but they are in different schemes and different circumstances so it's not as if they are in a laboratory somewhere where you can identity a single variable and say, "Yes. Yes. Contract year!!!!" Still: Teams trying to determine if a player is having a good season because of a contract year are wise to study very closely and figure out if the player always has shown a top-tier work ethic and passion for the game. If that's the case, then it's probably safe to assume he will continue to approach the game in a way to allow him to play at a high level even with an extended contract. If not …
Matt from Orlando, FL
John, going to be at the game this Sunday for my first time. Looks like rain is predicted for all day. Any recommendations on places to pregame?
Head to the "Slab" at the corner of Duval and Bryan Street. This is the site of the Bold City Brigade tailgate. Rain shall not deter whatever it is that goes on there.
