JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Bradley from Rainy Death Valley, CA
I have to admit I found the post criticizing your power rankings funny, but don't really care about power rankings. What is better for Jags: A Chiefs win, a Colts win or a tie?
I don't care about power rankings, either, because they're meaningless in a sport where you earn your way into the postseason. But your question is interesting as the Jaguars (6-4) prepare to play the Arizona Cardinals (3-7) at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Sunday. There's an argument that a Kansas City Chiefs (5-5) victory over the Indianapolis Colts (8-2) Sunday would be the best scenario for the Jaguars because the Jaguars could pull to within a game of the Colts for the lead in the AFC South – if the Chiefs and Jaguars both win. There's also an argument that a Colts victory would be good because the Jaguars could move 2 games ahead of the Chiefs in the AFC Standings – with a tiebreaker advantage because of a victory over the Chiefs – if the Colts and Jaguars both win. I'm too tired to consider a tie, though I suspect it would sort of good and sort of bad in multiple ways. I will lean toward a Chiefs victory being better, but the real answer is we're a bit too early in the season to scoreboard watch with any confidence. The best scenario for the Jaguars is to keep winning. If they keep winning, it won't matter what most other teams do.
Jason from Jacksonville
What is your take on Jaguars second-year defensive tackle Maason Smith so far this year? I was really excited about his potential, but he hasn't received as much playing time as I expected. He has all the tangibles but it seems like he hasn't been able to put it all together. Any thoughts on his outlook with the team the rest of this season and into next?
A big reason Smith isn't playing more is defensive tackle Arik Armstead plays essentially the same position and Armstead is playing at an exceptionally high level. As for Smith's outlook for the rest of the season and into the next … stay tuned.
Ray from Newport News, VA
It's the NFL and no game is easy. I think most would have projected 6-to-9 wins for this year as the realistic expectation. Well, we are at 6 wins with a favorable schedule going forward. With 7 games remaining, on paper a 5-2 record down the stretch should be the expectation. Heck, even a 4-3 record would put our beloved Jags at 10-7. Johnny O, you have been a great sounding board and been an 8- or 9-win guy since the beginning of the season, is 8 wins now a low standard?
Stuart from Cottonwood, AZ
OK, OK, OK. You laughed when Bucky said "preparation" about Urban calling them the Phoenix Cardinals. That wasn't nice. It was hilarious! But it wasn't nice.
I don't recall this conversation with NFL and Jaguars Media analyst Bucky Brooks and myself on this week's Huddle-Up Podcast, but if you say it happened maybe it happened. Or maybe it didn't. Or did. I'm not at liberty to say. That's what I don't know. What I do know is that we indeed talk a lot here in the O-Zone about being nice. It's important to be nice.
Bryce from Akron, OH
How much should fans read into a Wednesday "limited participant" listing on the injury report? Does being limited early in the week typically indicate a player is trending in the right direction, or is it too soon to draw any conclusions from that?
How much "limited," "full" or "did not practice" on a Wednesday indicates about whether a player will play Sunday depends on the player and situation. While full participation is almost always a good sign, limited participation can mean the team is allowing the player to work in individual drills with the idea of him returning the following week. Or it can mean the player almost practiced full and was just dealing with an injury that had him "a little limited." A "DNP" can be very worrisome, or it can mean the team wants to rest a player completely one day with the idea of allowing him to be healthy on Sunday. The NFL is a week-to-week league. The injury report is a player-by-player proposition.
Steve from Woodbine, GA
Seems they have a viable chance at winning out and finishing 13-4. Am I crazy?
The Jaguars would need to win their final 8 regular-season games to finish 13-4. I don't know if this team is mature enough to turn in that sort of late-season winning streak. We shall see.'
Anita from Springfield
I for one felt like Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence looked really good on Sunday, especially the second half. He was hitting multiple tight-window throws with anticipation and demonstrable arm strength. I'm so sick of stat-watching and fantasy-obsessed appraisal of him that won't be satisfied without big numbers despite him contributing mightily to our dominant win.
One fer Lawrence.
Jim from Jagsonville
The penalty on Green was a weak call, but the fine is uncalled for! First, we have to beat the opponent. Then the refs have it out for us. Now, it's the whole league?! Let's go Jaguars!!
You're referencing a roughing-the-passer penalty on Jaguars rookie defensive end B.J. Green on a play last Sunday when he sacked Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. I thought it was a missed call when it happened and I was surprised Thursday when it was reported that the NFL fined Green for the hit. Green was called for coming down on Herbert with his body weight on the sack. I suppose Green could have avoided the penalty fine by elevating once he had Herbert in the grasp. Or by not tackling Herbert at all. I understand why officials called the penalty. It's difficult sometimes in the moment to rule roughing. I don't particularly understand the fine. I don't know how coaches are supposed to coach this. I really don't.
John from Jax
Hi, KOAGF. What's the 21-day window mean and are we getting close to that expiring for Strange? I hope he can get on the field soon.
When a team opens a player's 21-day window, it means he can practice with the team for the ensuing 21 days without having to be moved from injured reserve to the active roster. The Jaguars opened tight end Brenton Strange's 21-day window to return from a hip injury last week. I expect he will play Sunday.
Wes from Ponte Vedra, FL
What are head coach interviews like? What did Liam Coen say during the interview process to so impress Jaguars Shad Khan that he is "the guy" to make Shad go to seemingly any lengths necessary to get him?
"Cool shoes."
Matthew from Dallas, TX
How is wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.'s return going to impact this offense? Because to me, the receiving core has played better as a whole with him gone. Maybe I'm wrong, but Parker, Jakobi, and Tim Patrick all seem to be more reliable when it comes to catching the ball when it's thrown their way.
You're not wrong that Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers and Tim Patrick have been more reliable than Thomas this season. They're reliable route-runners who Lawrence can trust to be in the right spot and to catch consistently. I don't yet know how the offense will look when Thomas returns. It's a major storyline.
Brandon from Louisville, KY
The last time that we had a lot of sacks, we had great corners (with back issues). Perhaps it just comes down to that now? That our pass rush is not good because we can't play man on the receivers well?
Great pass rushers benefit cornerbacks more than cornerbacks benefit pass rushers. This is because even the best cornerbacks often can't cover good receivers for four seconds and great pass rushers often can disrupt an offense in less than that. Greatness on the edge trumps greatness elsewhere. Always.
Nicholas from Fort Hood, TX
Tell me it's not true. We have to play another backup quarterback this Sunday. Does that mean we will allow him to play at a Hall of Fame level?
The backup quarterback "thing" is an overrated thing. My thought is it's barely a "thing." I get that people think it's a "thing." It's up to the Jaguars to make it officially not a "thing."
Marlin from Trenton, FL
Hi John, "I'm not in danger … I'm the danger" – The Warning from 'Evolve'. I thought this quote was apt considering the Jaguars' play Sunday. Like The Warning, it was very impressive. Now to avoid the let down in the desert and squeeze out a victory against the Cardinals. Other than seeing The Warning at halftime on Sunday, what is it you will be looking for in the Jaguars next game?
The pre-game buffet.