Glimpses of Hope for a Strong Throwback Week Performance | Week 5 Quick Thoughts

Oct 03, 2024 at 10:49 AM

by Brian Sexton, Kainani Stevens & John Oehser

1003 Quick Thoughts _ Pre Week 5 Article

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 Indianapolis Colts in a 2024 Week 5 game at EverBank Stadium Sunday.

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

The only story. The Jaguars enter Week 5 playing for pride until they win enough to play for more. Until then, their major storyline is quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has struggled enough this season to draw criticism and concern from observers. Know this: Lawrence is not even close to a lost cause. He quarterbacked the team to a winning record each of the last two seasons and went 13-3 over a 16-game stretch from late in 2022 to December 2023. You don't fluke your way to that, and Jaguars players unquestionably support Lawrence. "Trev knows everybody in the locker room has his back," Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson said. "I hope he finds comfort knowing everybody in the building has his back. We're not worried about Trevor." But Lawrence since early December 2023 has lost nine consecutive starts – and while he has had strong moments this season, he hasn't had enough such moments. Lawrence in a loss to the Houston Texans this past Sunday missed two open receivers – Christian Kirk and Brian Thomas Jr. – that could have changed the game. The Jaguars must play better around Lawrence, but he must play better. Until he does, that's far and away the most important storyline around the franchise.
Glimpses of hope. We'll shift in this second mid-week quick thought from all that ails the Jaguars and focus on what has gone right: The significant development of a core of young players. Second-year veteran linebacker Ventrell Miller played well enough in his first NFL start Sunday that he could be hard to remove from the lineup. Second-year tight end Brenton Strange has emerged as perhaps the offense's most consistent blocker. Third-year cornerback Montaric Brown has played impressively in place of starter Tyson Campbell. Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the 0-4 start is it has been the team's young players who have perhaps been the most consistent. What this team has needed – and still needs – is their more established players to play as well and as consistently.

Brian Sexton, Jaguars Senior Correspondent…

I just finished "Can't Hurt Me" by former U.S. Navy Seal David Goggins and I would highly recommend the book in the Jaguars' locker room this week. Goggins overcame incredible odds to become the first person to compete the elite training of the Navy Seals, Army Rangers and Air Force Tactical Air Controller programs and has set multiple world records in elite endurance sports. I can't say anything that hasn't been said about play-calling or lineup changes, but I can see a team clearly trying to deal with adversity. It must become more resilient. These players are elite athletes, but they must improve their mental game. You hear coaches and players talk about digging deep after a difficult loss. This would be that.
The Jaguars need Lawrence to shake free of his struggles and get the offense going. But Sunday's game against the Colts will require the defensive line to play its best as well. It's a big game for the Colts to stay close to the Texans in the AFC South race. I assume Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson and running back Jonathan Taylor will both play despite both being on the injury report and leaving last Sunday's game early. Taylor can dominate a game. For all of Richardson's struggles as a pocket passer, the second-year quarterback is an absolute beast when he pulls the ball down and runs. He's huge, powerful and deceptively fast and the combination of both men will require the Jaguars big bodies to muscle up, be mindful of their gap responsibilities and be sure tacklers when they get their opportunities. This Colts' offensive line is talented and plays with an aggressive mindset. The Jaguars must win the battle of the big guys to win the game.

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Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Luke Farrell (89) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 2, 2024.