JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter/producer Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars as they prepare to play the Los Angeles Chargers at EverBank Stadium in a 2025 Week 11 game Sunday.
John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…
Critical week. This is the biggest, most-intriguing game of the Jaguars' season to date – and this is true well beyond the fact that it's the "next game." The loss to the Houston Texans this past week was a gut punch on a level not experienced every season in the NFL, with the Jaguars not only losing a 19-point fourth-quarter lead, but doing it against a division rival – and doing it with a chance to move into very solid position in the AFC playoff race at 6-3. The Jaguars instead are 5-4 entering Sunday – and while the difference between 6-3 and 5-4 is just one game, it feels bigger. A loss such as the one Sunday can define a season. It can lead to a slide. It can lead to players questioning direction. But such a loss also can be a blip and or a rallying point. The guess here is it will be the latter – because this Jaguars team from this view continues to believe in its direction under Head Coach Liam Coen. The Chargers are really good. A loss doesn't mean disaster for the Jaguars. But you darned sure want to see them play well and look like a team still moving in the right direction.
Strangeways, here we come. The Jaguars opening tight end Brenton Strange's 21-day practice window on Wednesday was as welcome a news as this team could have received this week. While there has been much focus on rookie wide receiver Travis Hunter being placed on injured reserve, Strange's absence the last four weeks with a hip injury has had a more negative effect on the offense. He not only is crucial to the running game, he is a reliable third-down option for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. As important: Strange is as tough as any Jaguars player, and it's no coincidence the Jaguars seemed a physical team when he played than when he was out. Expect Strange to play this week. And when he's back to 100 percent, his effect on the offense could be significant.