JACKSONVILLE – At last, hope.

The task for the Jaguars as they head overseas: Keep hope alive.

The Jaguars, after four consecutive losses to start the season, headed to London late this week with a chance to continue the process of saving their season. Winning is better than losing, and the task now is to continue a good feeling in a pair of key overseas games.

They're 1-0 after 0-4, and they need to win a lot more than they lose moving forward.

The positive for the Jaguars is they appear to be finding some strengths on which they can rely. An improving offensive line that has played well the past two games. A developing running game that is producing big plays. The edges of the defense. Some young skill position players who are providing big plays.

The concerns? A defense that has struggled more than is ideal through five games – and the fact that 1-4 leaves little room for error as the season rolls into October.

Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London is key for the Jaguars because every game is key when you're three games under .500. It's a winnable game, and a difficult one.

Here are 10 things the Jaguars must do to win Sunday:

1. Stay strong up front. This isn't just the key Sunday, it may be the key to the coming weeks – and indeed the rest of the season. The Jaguars' offensive line has been strong the past few games and is showing signs of becoming a strength. This must be something on which this team can depend moving forward.
2. Hit the big pass. This is about Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence He struggled to hit big passes in the first four games of the season – all losses – and hit two huge passes in a 37-34 victory over the Indianapolis Colts this past Sunday. The Bears' defense doesn't give up a lot of big plays and it doesn't allow many opportunities. Lawrence must hit them when they're there.
3. Be patient. This is about Lawrence, too. He excelled against a Colts defense that limits big plays largely by being patient and accurate with short passes. The Bears' defense is Cover 2-based, so patience and accuracy – and good decision-making – will be key again Sunday.
4. Get deep. The Jaguars' attack-based defense has had more good moments than bad through five games, but the bad moments have really hurt. A lapse in the secondary cost the Jaguars dearly in a Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins and two lapses nearly cost the Jaguars against the Colts. These issues are fixable, but they must get fixed.
5. Keep getting Tank opportunities. The Jaguars have run well all season, and they have done so by popping big runs. Second-year running back Tank Bigsby has had runs of 58 and 65 yards in the last two games. That has coincided with the Jaguars' offense looking better and better.
6. Pressure Caleb Williams … The Bears' rookie quarterback is talented. He is improving. He is remarkably poised and appears well on his way to elite status. Even poised, talented quarterbacks on their way to elite status will make mistakes when pressured.
7. .… but contain Williams. Williams' athleticism allows him to escape pressure in the pocket. He is already next-level at this. The Jaguars have to control the rush against Williams. If they don't, he can hurt them.
8. Keep BTJ involved. Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has created big plays with remarkable consistency in his first five NFL games. If he's not already the Jaguars' No. 1 receiver, he's getting there quickly. He's also on his way to being one of the NFL's better rookie wide receivers. He's getting there quickly, too.
9. Force turnovers. The Jaguars' defense has forced one turnover in five games. That was a sack-fumble by defensive end Travon Walker late in the first half against the Colts. It led to a field goal that ultimately was the difference. If the defense is going to struggle as it has at times this season, it must create turnovers given the chance.
10. Channel London. The Jaguars entered their two-game London swing in 2023 with a 1-2 record with back-to-back losses. They beat the Atlanta Falcons and Buffalo Bills en route to a five-game winning streak that moved them into first place in the AFC South. They need a similar performance – and a similar boost – in the coming weeks.