JACKSONVILLE – One more day until LookAhead Wednesday.
Let's get to it …
Josh from Atlanta, GA
Watching Tony, James and Liam having a blast at the end of the game on the sideline is so cool. Those guys are in such lockstep and winning is cool. They like it. We are truly lucky to have that squad, plus John.
The Jaguars beat the defending AFC Champion New England Patriots, 35-6, at EverBank Stadium Sunday – and they therefore are now 2-1 early in the second season with Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli, General Manager James Gladstone and Head Coach Liam Coen making football decisions. The trio indeed has been integral to changing the direction and culture of the franchise – evidenced by a 15-6 overall record in the last two seasons. The Jaguars not only won the AFC South last season and lead the division by a game this season, they are routinely competing with/beating quality teams – evidenced by multiple such games last season and a 29-point victory Sunday over a team that played in the Super Bowl seven months ago. None of this means the Jaguars have secured anything in this very early part of the season. But it has been a long time since the Jaguars were one of the annual contenders. This team increasingly feels as if it will be just that.
Woody from Dunlap
KOAF: Got to love how this team bounced back following last week's game! Are my eyes deceiving me or is Trevor's throwing motion becoming quicker over the past few seasons?
I can't say Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence's throwing motion is all that much quicker than it was in the past seasons, though such things are measured in fractions of seconds as opposed to the calendar I use to measure my 40-yard-dash time. Lawrence, though, has thrown 27 touchdowns with eight interceptions in his last 13 regular-season games. Fast, slow, whatever … he is doing something right.
John from Jax
Hi, KOAGF. We can't get too excited. It was only the Patriots.
We talk a lot here in the O-Zone about the importance of being nice. This was not nice.
William from Bartram Park, FL
I think the elephant in the room has to be addressed - we put up 35 points in game where Brian Thomas Jr. saw a sharp reduction in snap count and targets. It seems like our offense is better when he is on the field less. I hate to say but the stats don't lie. What do you think about using him on kickoff returns? I mean … he has the speed, right? Maybe it can help him rebuild his confidence or (build his trade value).
I don't know that this is an "elephant in the room," because it is no secret that Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. played a bit less than normal Sunday and plenty of observers have discussed this in recent days. Remember: While the Jaguars' offense was better Sunday than a week before in Denver, it has been very good for much of the last 14 or so games – and Thomas has played a lot during that stretch. I will be very surprised if the Jaguars use him on kickoff returns, though I do expect the Jaguars to continue using a lot of different receivers. Their depth and versatility at the position merits.
Oscar from Palm Coast, FL
John, how awesome was it to finally see Travis Hunter get his first NFL interception? Do you think a play like that could be the moment that really gets him going on defense?
Hunter made a very nice play on the ball in the end zone for his first career interception Sunday. Interceptions can be tricky because cornerbacks don't always get great opportunities, but sure … it could be a moment that leads to more moments.
Don from Marshall, NC
Who was the coach of the year again? Teal steel rollin rollin rollin! Go Jaguars!
When it comes to being a little petty in a way that fans like being petty about Patriots Head Coach Mike Vrabel being the 2025 NFL Coach of the Year as opposed to Coen winning the award, Don remains "all in."
James from Jacksonville
I honestly hate how when the jags put up a performance like this all that is talked about is how terrible Drake Maye and the Patriots are rather than how good the jags are.
The Patriots played in the Super Bowl following last season and are now 1-2 with a struggling quarterback in Drake Maye. Of course people are talking about their struggles. This doesn't matter. What matters is the Jaguars are 2-1 with a one-game lead in the AFC South through three games and appear to be finding themselves through this difficult early-season stretch. That's what this time of the season is about.
Kent from Duvaaaal
Jakobi Meyers had a great game. He is not flashy, but he caught everything and that seemed to open it up for the other receivers. I know hindsight is always 20/20, but why wasn't there more of that last week? Feels like we could have been 3-0. I will take the win, but did Liam overthink it last week?
Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers had a productive game Sunday against the Patriots. Remember when analyzing targets and receptions: Coaches can scheme the ball to certain receivers all they want, but sometimes defenses and coverages dictate where quarterbacks throw the ball. The Jaguars are a versatile, balanced receiving corps. Players such as wide receivers Parker Washington, Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr., Josh Cameron and Travis Hunter will get opportunities this season, and so will tight ends Brenton Strange and Nate Boerkircher. That is a lot of options, and I expect over the course of the season all those options to get their share of "targets."
William from Savannah, GA
Another impressive win! One of my takeaways from the game is that the Jags need to pay Parker Washington (PaWs) quickly because his price tag is going up more quickly by the week. He has become, without question, a "core" player for this team.
No one who matters on this topic around the Jaguars is unaware of the need to reach a deal with Washington. The blanket statement that his "price tag is going up every week" is an easy thing to say, but we don't know this for sure until we know the terms the sides have discussed – and we don't know for sure the terms the sides have discussed. Remain tuned.
Jon from Saint John's, FL
Can you please explain why Trevor took a knee on the one-yard line? I'm sure there must have been some logic there, but I need help understanding.
Lawrence "took a knee" at the Patriots 1-yard line Sunday after a 15-yard run on third down with 8:06 remaining with the Jaguars leading 28-3. Lawrence said afterward he was a bit in "four-minute mode," which is when the offense is prioritizing draining the clock. Had the clock indeed been around four minutes or less, it was the right play – and a smart, aware play. But with 8:06 remaining, Lawrence indeed should have scored.
Jim (the other Jim from Neptune Beach) from Neptune Beach
I saw an article in the news about Trevor taking a knee because he was trying to help running back Bhayshul Tuten's fantasy points. Nice gesture! But aren't there laws/rules about playing to affect sports betting plays? I'm thinking about pitchers purposely throwing a particular pitch at some time in a baseball game for the benefit (and $) of bettors.
That wasn't why Lawrence knelt.
Vince from St. Augustine, FL
Speaking of TLaw taking a knee to run the clock and give his teammates a chance to score, how cool would it have been for them to feed Hunter the ball, four times if necessary, to see him get an interception on defense AND score a TD on offense in the same game? He was drafted to play both ways, and boy, would've nailed it!
Meh.
JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL
Hey, Johnny O! When Bhayshul Tuten plants a foot and squares up his shoulders - look out downhill. Go Jags!
Tuten has been solid in three NFL starts and he feels like he is improving by the game. The Jaguars overall feel as if they are getting more comfortable with the balance/mix in the running game, with Tuten rushing 15 times for 73 yards and a touchdown Sunday and Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushing eight times for 37 yards and a touchdown. If we can run the ball effectively like that, it just makes everybody's job so much easier," Coen said Sunday. Yup.
Gary from St. Augustine, FL
Even when the Jaguars blow out the hated Patriots, you still suck.
The Jaguars are 2-1 and lead the AFC South by a game over the second-place Indianapolis Colts and hold a two-game lead over the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans.