JACKSONVILLE – Doug Pederson likes what he has seen this week.
The Jaguars are preparing for a big game in tricky circumstances. Their opponent is one of the NFL's best teams and the Jaguars are winless through two games.
Preparation matters, and Pederson said preparation has been good.
"They have done a great job this week," he said.
Pederson, in his third season as the Jaguars' head coach, spoke to the media Saturday morning as the Jaguars (0-2) prepared to play the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills (2-0) at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., Monday at 7:30 p.m.
The game is critical for the Jaguars, who trail the AFC South-leading Houston Texans by two games. Pederson on Saturday said preparation in those circumstances has been good, and that he likes the team's urgency.
"I thought the guys handled the week fine," Pederson said. "There has been obviously, rightfully so, criticism around the team, different things. They've handled all that well. We just have to go play.
"It's been a long week. Looking forward to Monday night."
Pederson said he liked how players spoke among each other this week.
"That's No. 1," he said, adding that practices also have been strong this past week.
"The energy level, the excitement, the enthusiasm, because really, does anybody like to practice?" he said. "It's practice, right? But the way they approach that. They just focused in on Buffalo and what they need to."
NOTABLE
- Jaguars tight end Evan Engram will miss Monday's game with a hamstring injury sustained during pregame warmups before this past Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Browns. He was the lone Jaguars player ruled out on the Saturday injury report. "He tried this week," Pederson said. "He's just not there yet. Hopefully next week. We'll see." Three players – running back Tank Bigsby (shoulder), wide receiver Tim Jones (foot) and safety Darnell Savage (quadricep) – were listed as questionable Saturday. Left tackle Cam Robinson practiced full Saturday and was not listed with a game status Saturday, meaning he is expected to play Monday.
NOTABLE
- Pederson this week lauded second-year tight end Brenton Strange, who caught three passes for 65 yards against the Browns in place of Engram. "I think it was big for Brenton," Pederson said. "That's the type of player we know that he is, that he's capable being. He did some really good things. He played well. He played, too in the run game, which is good to see. He has done that since he has been here. It just adds more to his confidence. He continues to grow with the offense as he gets more opportunity."
Every practice matters. The Jaguars are working to face the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. 👀 Look at some practice shots and be sure to tune in to all the week three game content!
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (2) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive backs coach Kris Richard during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Maason Smith (94) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit (84) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight ends coach Richard Angulo during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Austin Trammell (86) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Jalen Jackson (36) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (2) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Mitch Morse (65) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) and cornerback Montaric Brown (30) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Matthew Jackson (35) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Tim Jones (15) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (20) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andre Chachere (45) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince (24) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Ronald Darby (25) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Jeremiah Ledbetter (99) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead (91) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Devin Duvernay (12) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on September 19, 2024.
