JACKSONVILLE – Doug Pederson continues to like the approach.

He, too, likes the Jaguars' attitude and preparation as one of their toughest matchups of the 2024 regular season approaches.

"This group hangs together, they hang tough," he said.

Pederson, in his third season as the Jaguars' head coach, spoke to the media Friday in advance of Sunday’s game against the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (8-1) at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. It's the Jaguars' fourth consecutive game against an NFC contender.

The Jaguars lost each of the last three weeks in the final two minutes – 30-27 at home to the Green Bay Packers, 28-23 on the road to the Philadelphia Eagles and 12-7 at home to the Minnesota Vikings.

"This is a tough stretch that we've been through, beginning last season to now," Pederson said, adding that he continues to see "buy in" from players: "I've seen it all season, and I think it comes with playing together, coaching together, working together. Confidence in each other, and that's really what it takes in order to get yourself out of these situations."

Pederson added, "It's a credit to the leadership of this group. They're pulling the young guys along and then you're seeing better practices, better performances, studying their game plan. You're seeing all that kind of stuff still today, which is a credit.

"It's just a big-time credit to the guys in the locker room. You have to have that in order to pull yourself out of this, you have to have that type of leadership and a close group, even when you're not getting the results you want."

Pederson on Friday also lauded the approach this week of Mac Jones, who will start a second consecutive game at quarterback for Trevor Lawrence. Pederson earlier this week said Lawrence will miss a second consecutive game with a left-shoulder injury.

Jones passed for 111 yards and no touchdowns with two interceptions – one on each of the final two drives – against the Vikings. Pederson said Jones has shown "a lot of confidence" this week.

"He really embraced this week, this challenge, what he's going to face on Sunday," Pederson said, adding that Jones "continues to lead the guys, to lead the offense. I'm sure he wants to rebound, obviously, from the end of the game last week and put his best foot forward.

"He has a ton of confidence, we've got a ton of confidence in him, guys around him do. He has had a good week."

NOTABLE

• Lawrence and running back Tank Bigsby (ankle) were officially ruled out Friday after missing practice all three days this week. Left guard Ezra Cleveland (ankle) and defensive tackle Maason Smith (ankle) were listed as questionable on Friday's final injury report of the week after practicing limited all three days this week. "Ezra should be good to go," Pederson said.
• Running back Keilan Robinson (toe) was listed as questionable after practicing full all three days this week, with his window to return from injured reserve open until next week. "It's just hard this late in the week, but it'll be a conversation to have," Pederson said of activating Robinson for Sunday. The other Jaguars players on this week’s injury report – cornerback Tyson Campbell (shoulder), wide receiver Gabe Davis (shoulder), offensive lineman Blake Hance (knee), defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (shoulder), running back D'Ernest Johnson (hamstring), right guard Brandon Scherff (knee), wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) and safety Daniel Thomas (hamstring) – were listed without status Friday and are therefore expected to be available Sunday.