JACKSONVILLE – The task is formidable. But Ryan Nielsen has a plan.
The plan is as simple as the task is tough, with the Jaguars’ first-year defensive coordinator on Thursday saying the approach to defending Aaron Rodgers is a familiar one.
Stay the course. Stick to the process.
"Nothing cheap, nothing deep," Nielsen said.
Nielsen, speaking Thursday as the Jaguars (3-10) prepared to play the New York Jets (3-10) at EverBank Stadium Sunday, called facing Rodgers – a 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback now in his 20th NFL season – "a huge challenge."
"As is it every time you play him," he said, adding: "He can make every throw. He's still playing at a high level. Sees the game extremely fast, and gets the ball out. We've got to do a good job atour rush, not letting him extend.
"Then in our coverage, playing tight coverage, no easy throws."
Also a challenge for the Jaguars Sunday: An offense that is talented well beyond Rodgers, having added Pro Bowl wide receiver Davante Adams earlier this season and with second-year veteran Garrett Wilson emerging as one of the NFL's best young receivers.
"They've got a ton of weapons," Nielsen said. "It's going to be a really good test. We've just got to play our game. We've got to be aggressive with them. Can't let them get going, easy throws, easy completions, make it tough on them. Make them earn every yard.
"We have to do a good job in the run game. Don't give them third-and-shorts, convert and keep the drive going. They'll be up for the challenge for sure."
Throwback week part two, let's go 😍 The Jaguars wore helmets with the Throwback Logo at practice this week as they prepare to face the New York Jets in Week 15 where they will wear the legendary Prowler Throwbacks. Swipe through some best practice shots! 🐆
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell (21) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Devin Duvernay (12) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (20) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Josh Reynolds (87) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Josh Reynolds (87) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Josh Reynolds (87) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Josh Reynolds (87) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Josh Reynolds (87) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Tim Jones (15) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Josh Reynolds (87) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback C.J. Beathard (19) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Anton Harrison (77) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) and kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Maason Smith (94) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Josh Reynolds (87) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen (70) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Ronald Darby (25) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard (42) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell (21) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) and quarterback C.J. Beathard (19) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Myles Gaskin (38) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Myles Gaskin (38) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Brandon Scherff (68) and defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell (21) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Myles Cole (59) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Josh Reynolds (87) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Tyler Shatley (69) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 11, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Myles Gaskin (38) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Jeremiah Ledbetter (99) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince (24) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (52) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Myles Gaskin (38) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running backs during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars assistant wide receivers coach/passing game specialist Tyler Tettleton and running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson (98) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on December 12, 2024.
NOTABLE
- Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, after registering his seventh sack of the season in a victory over the Tennessee Titans last week, enters Sunday's game with 52 career sacks. That's three shy of former Jaguars defensive end Tony Brackens' franchise record of 55 sacks. "I have to get it," Hines-Allen said. "Getting it at home obviously would be special, but I just need to get it.
NOTABLE
- Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson this week lauded the secondary, saying the unit has progressed as the season has continued. "Guys have gotten better," he said. "We made some mistakes, even in the middle of the season, there were some mistakes. I think the dust has kind of settled a little bit and guys are understanding." The Jaguars, who rank 32nd in NFL in total defense this season, have allowed one touchdown pass in the last two weeks and limited Titans quarterback Will Levis to 168 yards passing and no touchdowns Sunday. Pederson also said rotating secondary players throughout the season has helped. "Keeping guys fresher as the game goes on has helped us," he said. "They played a complete game this past weekend. It was good to see." Safety Antonio Johnson and safety Darnell Savage started together Sunday, with safety Andre Cisco playing season-low 62.5 percent of snaps and missing a start for the first time this season. "What you're seeing is the growth of Antonio as the season has progressed," Pederson said. "We know what Darnell is and what he can do and what he brings. With Antonio, you're seeing that growth and a little bit of maturity the more he plays in these games." It was Johnson's first start since Week 6 against Chicago, with Nielsen saying: "He has played a lot better football." Added Nielsen, "We're going to continue the rotations, just kind of how we've always done. It's not good, bad or indifferent, just what we're going to do. I think you guys have seen that with just about every position we've had. Keeping guys moving in and out and a lot of guys playing. So, we'll continue that trend."
QUOTABLE
- Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor on what stands out about a Jets defense that ranks 19th in the NFL in points allowed and fourth in yards allowed entering Sunday: "Speed. They play incredibly fast. They do a good job. There's not a ton of disguise, but enough things look the same to where you're not really sure until post-snap what the coverage is going to be. The No. 1 thing that jumps off the tape is how fast they play."
NOTABLE
- Jaguars tight end Evan Engram missed practice for a second consecutive day Thursday with a shoulder injury sustained against the Titans. Pederson said Wednesday he anticipated Engram playing against the Jets.
- Three Jaguars players practiced on a limited basis Thursday:
- Left guard Ezra Cleveland (knee)
- Tight end Josiah Deguara (shoulder)
- Right guard Brandon Scherff (knee/shoulder)
