A Rising Star: The Bright Spot in the Jaguars 2024 Season | Game That Was

Dec 22, 2024 at 11:28 PM

John Oehser

Jaguars Senior Writer

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – BTJ's theme remains frustratingly familiar.

Brian Thomas Jr. on Sunday had a big day. Again. He set a franchise record. Again. And he once again didn't enjoy it all that much for a familiar reason.

The Jaguars lost. Again.

"The team accolades override individual accolades for me," he said following the Jaguars' seventh loss in eight games. "It would have been better if we had been able to come out with the win."

Thomas, the Jaguars' rookie wide receiver, caught nine passes for 131 yards and a touchdown Sunday – with his 62-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter giving the Jaguars (3-12) a lead they couldn't hold in the final quarter, with the Las Vegas Raiders (3-12) rallying for a 19-14 victory at Allegiant Stadium.

"He's such a bright spot offensively," Head Coach Doug Pederson said of Thomas.

Thomas, the No. 23 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, on Sunday set the Jaguars' rookie record for receptions in a season. He set the record with his first reception of the game, a 16-yarder from quarterback Mac Jones that led to a one-yard touchdown run in the first quarter by running back Tank Bigsby.

Thomas had entered Sunday tied with former Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon (2012) with 64 receptions.

"I'm so happy for Brian," Pederson said. "Just a kid that is so deserving of it, from the way he works to how he plays. And the load that we put on him, for a young player like that, to go out and perform like he does. So happy for him, definitely a bright spot."

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Las Vegas Raiders

WR Brian Thomas Jr. (7)

Thomas now holds the Jaguars rookie record for single-season receptions (73), receiving yards (1,088) and receiving touchdowns (nine).

"He's done a good job," Jones said. "They (defenses) once again, are going to take him away. And I missed him early. He made a couple great plays late. So, always going to keep fighting. He's his own biggest critic, and so am I. So, we fit well together, but he did his part.

"We have to continue to give him the ball."

Thomas' 131 yards Sunday were a career high, and he now has three 100-yard games this season. He was targeted 13 times Sunday, and he has been targeted 49 times in the last four games.

Thomas has 31 receptions for 399 yards and four touchdowns in the last four games.

"You have to take the personal accolades," Thomas said. "That's something to be proud about at the end of the day. But the team accolades are more important than personal accolades."

Added Thomas, "I'm just trying to focus on finishing out the season the best I can. I just want to put my best foot forward each and every day. My personal goal is just to get better each and every day, each and every week."

Related Links

NOTABLE WEEK 16 MOMENTS: JAX vs. LV

The Jaguars on Sunday did not force a takeaway, marking their fifth consecutive game without a takeaway. The Jaguars last forced a turnover in a 12-7 Week 10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. "We had opportunities again today," Pederson said. "A couple of balls were tipped and had chances, and that's part of it too, creating the takeaways. And we had two huge costly turnovers. It's not for lack of effort. But it's an area that just we've got to keep working, keep working during the week at it. You've got to keep making an emphasis in game. You could see our guys punching the football, things of that nature. It's just not bouncing our way." The Jaguars have forced a league-low eight turnovers this season, seven on defense.

QUOTABLE WEEK 16 MOMENTS: JAX vs. LV

Jones after completing 25 of 39 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions Sunday: "Obviously, I got off to a slow start. So how can I get off to a quicker start, like we did the week before, and score some more points? If we can get to 30 points, 21 points, then the game's a different story. Every week's so different. And I do think that's a better defense than what people give them credit for. So, hats off to them. I just have to make more plays early and take away the self-inflicted errors and turnovers, and that's kind of been the story this whole year. So, definitely going to respond and see how we can play better next week."