JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton, team reporter Kainani Stevens and correspondent John Shipley offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars as they prepare to play the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md., Thursday

Oehser …

1. The urgency is realer than ever. Off-field focus for Jaguars observers – and likely the front office – remains on improving their defensive front in advance of next Tuesday's November 10 trade deadline. The Jaguars already seemed serious in their efforts to improve the pass rush somewhere along the line, and history tells us that this front office will aggressively pursue any avenue necessary to win. While many observers have focused on trade possibilities at edge rusher, the team likely has focused as much – perhaps more – on improving penetration on the interior of the line to complement edge defenders Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. That likely remains a high priority, and a high-profile move wouldn't be surprising. But a season-ending quad injury to nose tackle DaVon Hamilton makes that position – a very different position from pass-rushing tackle – urgent, too. The Jaguars could trade for a nose tackle or a "three technique" – or both – in the next week. They undoubtedly will work hard pursuing these areas. That doesn't mean a trade will happen because trades require a willing partner, but the Jaguars' urgency at the positions hardly could be higher.
2. Just win. Thursday's game for the Jaguars is about figuring a way to win without regard to style or flash – and getting back to Jacksonville healthy. Preparation for Thursday games can be tricky. Practice time is limited and there's a severe limit to just how extensive – and complex – teams can game plan for opponents with three days between games. Thursday games are also not ideal for players, who must recover quickly between games. These obstacles often lead to less-than-beautiful games. For the Jaguars, beauty matters not a bit Thursday. They're playing a Ravens team that will be without their franchise face, quarterback Lamar Jackson, and without backup quarterback Tyler Huntley. But they're also playing on the road – and facing a proud, veteran team with a Hall of Fame running back in Derrick Henry and a strong defense. Forget pretty in this one. Worry not about victory margin. Just get through Thursday whatever it takes, expand an already expansive lead in the division and get on the plane. That's what contenders do in November in Thursday road games.

Sexton…

1. Campanile is the answer this week. Let's face it: You don't replace Hamilton, who was the NFL's best run- stuffing nose tackle before leaving the field on a cart last Sunday against the Colts. You don't have a replacement on your roster, and anyone else in the league with a player anywhere near as good as Hamilton certainly isn't trading them. Which brings us to the one person who can shore up the league's No. 1 run defense without Hamilton, and that's Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile. He has been an innovator from week to week since taking over last season. Primarily a zone-coverage devotee from the Brian Flores coaching tree, he has mixed in more man coverage this season and is playing with combination coverages as Vic Fangio – another one of his mentors – is prone to employ. The Jaguars move defensive end Travon Walker inside and play light boxes at a fairly high level, so it seems as if it's Camp who will be the X-factor for the Jaguars Thursday. Whether he plays it straight up against Henry or goes to five-man fronts or uses run-blitz concepts, Campanile will be the answer for Hamilton's absence against the Ravens.
2. The focus is on star players in the trade market. That makes sense; star performers dazzle the people. But as I have written in this space, it was Jakobi Meyers – hardly a star wide receiver in Las Vegas or New England – who once traded to Jacksonville last season opened up the offense. Everyone has their favorite defensive tackle or safety they want Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone to acquire. Perhaps the Jaguars brass is looking in places you aren't considering. Sending first-round picks to Philadelphia for defensive lineman Jalen Carter sounds great until you realize his contract won't work with your salary cap, he may not fit your team-building profile and he could create a domino effect that won't help you keep safety Antonio Johnson, wide receiver Parker Washington, Hamilton and linebacker Ventrell Miller. Gladstone is a sharp football mind and his staff knows the league. If there is a player that meets all the criteria, the personnel department will find him ... it's not as easy as simply trading for the best player at his position.

Stevens …

1. Quick thoughts on the quick week. The Jaguars are preparing for their first Thursday Night Football appearance since October 2023. The Jaguars and Ravens are both dealing with serious injuries, so this game may come down to survival by any means necessary. This is an opportunity for Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence to show out in a primetime game. This is a scenario where an elite quarterback performance can be the difference between winning and losing a game between two beat-up rosters of players. Lawrence legacy game loading.
2. The loss of Hamilton will be a huge hole to fill. Hamilton's season-ending quad injury is a loss that is difficult to quantify because the nose tackle is the foundation around which the defensive line is built. The 6-feet-4, 335-pounder was immovable at times and a primary reason for Jacksonville's success against the run. But he's not the only reason the Jaguars' defense has succeeded this season and now an opportunity arises for the next man up. I expect to see an increase in playing time for Ruke Orhorhoro and Matt Dickerson, but don't count out Gladstone adding to the defensive line room before the NFL trade deadline.

Shipley…

1. Ready for anything. With Jackson on injured reserve with a thumb injury, and with rookie free agent Joe Fagnano expected to start at quarterback for the Ravens, the Jaguars' defense must be prepared. Backup quarterbacks have given the Jaguars issues in the past, such as Davis Mills of the Houston Texans and Jake Browning of the Cincinnati Bengals a year ago, and the Ravens still do have Henry. These are the kind of games for which the Jaguars must be prepared for whatever is thrown at them.
2. Coen vs. Minter: Week 9 will be a showcase of two of the NFL's youngest head coaches, with the Jaguars led by second-year Head Coach Liam Coen and rookie head coach Jesse Minter on the sidelines for the Ravens. Coen and Minter were star coordinators on opposite sides of the ball before they became head coaches, and we have seen them compete before. Coen coached against Minter in 2024, when Coen was the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minter was the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers. They faced one another last season when the Jaguars beat the Chargers at home, with Coen's offense having the edge. Round 3 will be Thursday, and the game's result could depend on who wins the chess match.