WATFORD, United Kingdom – The solution is simple.
Ryan Nielsen stood before the international media Thursday discussing the Jaguars' defense and its recent trend of difficult performances. What to do? Simple.
"Play hard and play together – that's the message," Nielsen said.
Nielsen, in his first season as the Jaguars' defensive coordinator, spoke to the media on Thursday along with offensive coordinator Press Taylor and special teams coordinator Heath Farwell. The trio spoke as the Jaguars (1-5) prepared to play the New England Patriots (1-5) at Wembley Stadium in London Sunday.
Among the topics when Nielsen spoke: A defense that has allowed at least 34 points in three of the last four games, including a 35-16 loss to the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London this past Sunday.
"The fundamentals and technique will all still be the same," he said. "We'll mix some stuff up – mix different calls, pressure when we've been playing coverage, do some things like that – but ultimately, we're going to stay the course. That's the biggest thing.
"When you start changing then the players start going, 'Well it didn't work in the first place' and they start second guessing. We're going to play together, we're going to play hard. When we turn on the tape the most important thing that happens, regardless of the outcome of the game, is when we see 11 guys do their job and play as hard as they can possibly play from the snap to the whistle."
Nielsen emphasized that it was not only necessary to play hard and together, but to do so on "every play."
"Do our job on every snap, play as hard as we can possibly play," he said.
Patriots quarterback Drake Maye threw three touchdowns with two interceptions in his first NFL start last week, with Nielsen saying Thursday the focus this week has been less on the opponent and more about the Jaguars.
"That's been the message," he said. "Obviously, we do watch a little tape on them, and we know kind of their tendencies, who they are and things like that. At the end of the day, we're going to play our defense and we're going to play hard, tough and fast."
He added, "Every week is about us. That's the most important thing because when you worry about yourself that's the only thing that matters."
Nielsen also on Thursday discussed multiple penalties against the Jaguars' defense in the loss to the Bears. The Jaguars committed a 12-men-on-the-field penalty and two defensive holding penalties on a third-quarter drive on which the Bears extended their lead to 28-10. Nielsen said addressing the issue is about "staying the course, staying fundamentals, technique. We've just got to stay with that."
He added, "Twelve guys on the field is unacceptable, that can never happen so that's on me. The penalties are on me and we're working on it this week."
NOTABLE
- Cornerback Tyson Campbell practiced limited for a second consecutive day Thursday, with Nielsen saying: "We're excited about getting him back in the fold. You'll see some different combinations now that we have him back and kind of how we started the year so very excited." Campbell, who has missed the last five games with a hamstring injury, had his 21-day window to return from injured reserve opened last week. Also practicing limited for the Jaguars Thursday:defensive lineman Arik Armstead (shoulder), wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee), tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) and running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring). Offensive tackle Anton Harrison (knee) worked full Thursday.
QUOTABLE
- Nielsen: "Every Monday is every Monday, every Tuesday is every Tuesday. When you start treating some games and some days like they are greater than others then you start riding the roller coaster. So, you've got to treat it all the same and one day at a time, one game at a time."
NOTABLE
- Taylor while meeting with the media discussed the Jaguars’ issue with dropped passes. According to ESPN, the Jaguars have a league-high 113 dropped passes since 2021. Jaguars receivers dropped four touchdown passes against the Bears Sunday. "It does surprise us because what we see in practice, all the work ethic that those guys have, the character those guys have, the production those guys have … to hear that and see that is surprising at times," Taylor said.
Still working. Jaguars are in London preparing for Week 7 against the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium. 🇬🇧
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson (98) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars running back Jake Funk (36) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (2) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars tight end Shawn Bowman (49) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit (84) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars offensive quality control coach Jamel Mutunga during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit (84) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. walks to practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars linebacker Tanner Muse (55) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence walks to practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars tight end Luke Farrell (89) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars special teams coordinator Heath Farwell during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (18) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars assistant general manager Ethan Waugh during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (18) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars tight end coach Richard Angulo walks to practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence walks to practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars running back Jake Funk (36) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell walks to practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) and running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson walks to practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence walks to practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars defense during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen and defensive end Travon Walker (44) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano (97) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) during practice at The Grove on October 17, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland (76) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars offensive lineman Mitch Morse (65) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars offense during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars cornerback Christian Braswell (21) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars defensive end D.J. Coleman (54) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead (91) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars defensive tackle Maason Smith (94) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars linebacker Caleb Johnson (57) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars tight end Luke Farrell (89) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars offensive linemen Anton Harrison (77) and Brandon Scherff (68) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars offensive lineman Mitch Morse (65) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars cornerback Zechariah McPhearson (34) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (18) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (18) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano (97) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Austin Trammell (86) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars tight end Shawn Bowman (49) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars cornerback Tyler Hall (40) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars offensive lineman Brandon Scherff (68) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Elijah Cooks (14) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars tight end Josiah Deguara (81) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars tight end Josiah Deguara (81) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars tight end Luke Farrell (89) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Tim Jones (15) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. (7) and Gabe Davis (0) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars running back Jake Funk (36) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
Watford, U.K. — Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) during practice at The Grove on October 16, 2024.
