JACKSONVILLE – The task is tough, and belief is needed.
Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson said the reason he absolutely has that belief – in this season and this team – remains simple and strong.
"For me, the confidence is down there in that locker room," he said.
Pederson spoke Friday morning as the Jaguars (2-6) prepared to play the Philadelphia Eagles (5-2) at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa., Sunday afternoon. They trail the Houston Texans (6-3) by three and a half games with nine games remaining in the 2024 regular season.
"It's all those players, and coaches," Pederson said. "They've put in the time and the effort and work. What's the definition of insanity? You just have to keep doing it over and over and over. But in this case, you want different results.
"That's where my excitement comes from, just with those guys."
The game marks the second in Philadelphia for Pederson as the Jaguars' head coach. Pederson was the head coach of the Eagles from 2016-2020.
"It's hostile," Pederson said. "It's really a great environment, especially for the later games. Those fans will get out there and tailgate all day and get ready. That's just what they do. They're going to pack the Linc and be loud. It's really a great atmosphere.
"With them, with the success they're having, it will be a great crowd. They will be jacked up."
Pederson, who coached the Eagles to a Super Bowl title following the 2017 season, received a generally positive reception from fans before a 29-21 road loss to the Eagles in Week 4 of the 2022 season. He said he expects that to change Sunday.
"One hundred percent, one hundred percent, one hundred percent," Pederson said. "It's a great fan base. They're passionate about the Eagles."
Another week to improve. Jaguars practice for the Week 9 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Check out some best photos from the Miller Electric Center below ⬇️
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Mitch Morse (65) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) and defensive end Travon Walker (44) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard (42) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) and defensive end Travon Walker (44) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Joshua Cephus (19) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive backs during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide reciever Velus Jones Jr. (38) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Jake Funk (36) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide reciever Velus Jones Jr. (38) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Tim Jones (15) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide reciever Velus Jones Jr. (38) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight ends coach Richard Angulo and tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (2) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik (46) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Tanner Muse (55) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard (42) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide reciever Velus Jones Jr. (38) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide reciever Velus Jones Jr. (38) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson (31) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide reciever Velus Jones Jr. (38) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Steven Jones (64) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) and wide receivers coach Chad Hall during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) and running backs coach Jerry Mack during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (18) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Blake Hance (73) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Blake Hance (73) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Luke Fortner (79) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen (70) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (20) and cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson (31) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson (31) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Anton Harrison (77) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit (84) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Walker Little (72) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Cooper Hodges (75) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Steven Jones (64) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on October 30, 2024.
NOTABLE
- The Jaguars on Friday ruled out starting left guard Ezra Cleveland (ankle) and rookie reserve defensive tackle Maason Smith (ankle) for Sunday, with Cleveland missing practice all three days this week and Smith practicing limited all three days. Jaguars players listed as questionable on Friday’s final injury report of the week:
- Running back Tank Bigsby (ankle)
- Wide receiver Gabe Davis (shoulder)
- Running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring)
- Right guard Brandon Scherff (knee)
- Rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (chest)
- Running back Keilan Robinson (toe)
- Safety Andrew Wingard (knee).
- The Jaguars also on Friday officially ruled out wide receiver Christian Kirk, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone sustained in a loss to the Green Bay Packers last Sunday. Cornerback Ronald Darby practiced full all three days this week with a hip injury and was listed without a game status Friday, meaning he will be available Sunday. Pederson on Friday said Scherff, Thomas, Davis and Etienne likely will be gametime decisions and also said the Jaguars will be cautious with Thomas. "He's not going to be 100 percent obviously, but we don't want a setback," he said of Thomas, adding that Bigsby is "fine" and expected to play. Wingard and Robinson are eligible to be activated off injured reserve.
