JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars as they prepare to play the Buffalo Bills in a 2024 Week 3 game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. A game for the core. Just two games into the regular season, we're already too deep into the must-win debate. Do the Jaguars have to win Monday? Technically no. But forget technicalities: The Jaguars must start winning to save what thus far has been a decidedly messy season – and the people who must fix that mess are the Jaguars' core players. This is a time of crisis – and in the NFL, your best players must play their biggest in such times. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, left tackle Cam Robinson/right guard Brandon Scherff/center Mitch Morse, running back Travis Etienne Jr., wide receiver Christian Kirk, defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen/Travon Walker/Arik Armstead and linebacker Foye Oluokon. Salaries and/or past performance tells us those are players around whom this team is built -- particularly Lawrence, of course. Someone in that group must come up with big plays and play well in big moments Monday. If not, the must-win debate won't feel very interesting for very long.
2. Every play matters. This is a truism we've heard too often this season, but we'll mention it because it has become the key to the season. The Jaguars throughout their recent stretch of seven losses in eight regular-season games have had far too many mistakes in critical situations. Lawrence following this past Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Browns spoke of all players on offense having at least one play on which he made a mistake that caused the play to fail. It's not just offense. A field goal off the upright. An avoidable penalty that negated a go-ahead touchdown. A possible pass defensed/interception that became a first down that led to a touchdown. As poorly as the Jaguars played against the Browns – and they did play poorly – if any of those plays go the other way, the Jaguars may have won the game. It's all about the details and big moments in this league. The Jaguars must start winning those moments. They just do.

Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent…

1. The Jaguars have a good roster. They will be good this season and it won't take a massive change or sudden event to swing their fortunes. What it will take is a lot of little steps and extra effort from all involved. The attention to detail or lack thereof was evident last week – whether we're talking about getting in and out of the huddle on time, keeping outside leverage on the tackle so the quarterback can't scramble and make a throw for a first down or having the presence of mind to stop running towards the quarterback when he's clearly thrown the ball. These things can't happen repeatedly, and the Jaguars must pay attention to the little things so the big things don't come back to bite them. This team needs to be laser focused on details if they're going to turn the momentum in their favor, because it's usually the little things that get you beat.
2. I've said it all week, so I might as well say it again. The Jaguars' offensive line hasn't been good enough, but it does have good players. I would strongly consider making a change at left tackle and right guard. Those two positions have not performed well enough the first two weeks and there is a player on the depth chart at each who was expected to start at some point. I don't doubt the coaching staff will disagree with my opinion; it's early in the season and making those kinds of changes is something they're generally loath to do. But the owner said now was the time to win, and this week in particular would seem to really be the time to win. So why not give yourself a chance to play better with Von Miller, Greg Rousseau and Ed Oliver on tap? I realize Walker Little could have won the job in training camp and didn't – and that Cooper Hodges has no starting experience. But both men are good players and good athletes and this is the perfect moment to make the change. Most teams don't have the luxury of making two changes that could upgrade the line in Week Three. The Jaguars do and should at least be having that conversation this week.

Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter/Producer ..

1. It's time to pick up the pace. The stagnant offense needs to be the point of focus this week while preparing for Monday Night Football in Buffalo. The potential loss of tight end Evan Engram due to a hamstring injury makes it even more important to get rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. involved early. I think coming out early against the Bills and playing with urgency is crucial for the psyche of the Jaguars right now. I still believe an efficient first series and an early score on Monday will go a long way towards turning the tide.
2. Lockdown defense. The defense has performed well enough to win in the first two weeks, but it will take even more to have a chance against the Bills. The defense needs to focus on getting off the field, affecting time of possession and forcing turnovers. The Jags have been holding opponents to under 20 points a game, but they have yet to force any turnovers. Bills quarterback Josh Allen has been known to have multiple-interception games at times throughout his career. It would be really great if Monday was one of those off nights for Allen.