JACKSONVILLE – New week, same approach.
Yes, the circumstances around the Jaguars are unexpected, disappointing and discouraging these days. But whatever noise those circumstances have created, this much is true:
The Jaguars are still playing to win – and preparing that way, too.
"It's no different approach than if you're doing well," quarterback Trevor Lawrence said as the Jaguars (2-7) prepared to play the Minnesota Vikings (6-2) at EverBank Field Sunday.
The Jaguars, after winning two of three games following an 0-4 start, lost to the Green Bay Packers 30-27 at home in Week 8 and the Philadelphia Eagles 28-24 on the road in Week 9 with each game decided in the final two minutes
The Jaguars now trail the Houston Texans (6-3) by four games in the AFC South with eight games remaining.
"We have a lot of games left," Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen said. "We're right in the middle of [the season]."
Head Coach Doug Pederson spoke to the media Wednesday morning and – like Lawrence – addressed how to prepare and move forward after back-to-back losses: With the same professionalism and pride as in the first nine games.
"You got to build them back," Pederson said. "You have to get them back ready to go for another challenge. I need to show them and talk to them in a way that is accountability, ownership, do your job, do it better, do the little things.
"I have to show that in a team setting, bring it to light and just show the guys, 'Listen, this is what's holding us back right now, plays X, Y, and Z,' whatever it is."
Lawrence said that’s the approach no matter the results, no matter the record and no matter the difficulty or frustration of the circumstances.
"You want be in a different position," Lawrence said. "It's harder in the sense of the results. You want to have more wins than we have right now. But there's really nothing else for us to do than to go to work. We can't just get frustrated. We have a job to do, to do everything we can do in our power as players, as coaches, as a team to go win on Sunday.
"We haven't gotten that result enough this year but there's still a lot of football left. We have to keep doing that every week to go win a game on Sunday against a good team. You can't let the frustration creep late into the week and affect your preparation and affect the amount of work you put in to go get this one because it doesn't get any easier in this league because every team you play is good.
"It doesn't let up, so you have to prepare the same way that you can give yourself a shot. We've done a good job of doing that. Not trying to make it sound like everything's going perfect. It's not. We haven't gotten the wins we wanted, but I think the team has been pretty resilient.
"We just have to carry it over and be a little bit cleaner on Sunday and find a way to win."
NOTABLE
- Right guard Brandon Scherff (knee) and left guard Ezra Cleveland (ankle) missed practice Wednesday, with Scherff playing through the injury against the Eagles and Cleveland missing the game. Pederson said Blake Hance will start at left guard if Cleveland is unavailable Sunday. Pederson also on Wednesday said he expects safety Andrew Wingard (knee) to be activated this week and play Sunday after being on injured reserve since training camp. "He's feeling good," Pederson said of Wingard. "My expectation and his expectation is to play." Wingard was among eight Jaguars players practicing limited Wednesday, with the others being running back Tank Bigsby (ankle), wide receiver Gabe Davis (shoulder), running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring), Lawrence (left shoulder), rookie defensive lineman Maason Smith (ankle) androokie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (chest). Wide receiver Devin Duvernay (hamstring) and running back Keilan Robinson (toe) practiced full Sunday, with both players – like Wingard – having their windows opened to return from injured reserve. Pederson on Wednesday he also said that the Jaguars signed long snapper Peter Bowden to the practice squad to allow long snapper Ross Matiscik to rest and heal in practice this week. "We just wanted to make sure we have someone that can do the snapping duties this week," Pederson said of Matiscik. "He is sore."
Alternate helmet week ⚪ Jaguars prepare to face the Minnesota Vikings at home in EverBank Stadium in their Shell White Alternate Helmets which they will be wearing on Sunday!
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano (97) and tight end Evan Engram (17) meet Mathis after practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard (42) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince (24) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller (51) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) and cornerback Montaric Brown (30) meet Mathis after practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (52) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard (42) meets Mathis after practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard (42) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars kicker Cam Little (39) and long snapper Ross Matiscik (46) meet Mathis after practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (20) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell (21) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Devin Duvernay (12) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Matthew Jackson (35) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (20) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (20) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) and quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback C.J. Beathard (19) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback C.J. Beathard (19) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback C.J. Beathard (19) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Shawn Bowman (49) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars long snapper Peter Bowden (43) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Walker Little (72) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) and kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (18) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) and kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik (46) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik (46) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik (46) and long snapper Peter Bowden (43) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Joshua Cephus (80) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince (24) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit (84) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Joshua Cephus (80) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars long snapper Peter Bowden (43) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Dennis Daley (78) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Dennis Daley (78) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars practice at the Miller Electric Center on November 6, 2024.
