JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
James from Socorro, NM
How does a team go from winning 15 out of 20 games to winning only three out of 15?
This is a fair question – and a perplexing one. The Jaguars indeed since early December 2023 have fallen off to a stunning degree – and after a 19-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium Sunday, they have lost 17 of 21 games after winning 14 of their previous 18 games. What happened? What was the difference? The Jaguars were winning close games during from late in the 2022 season until late in the 2023 season. The thought here is they lost offensive rhythm when quarterback Trevor Lawrence sustained a slew of injuries late in 2022 and never have quite got that back. The defense also stopped creating turnovers, and the secondary fell off. The thought here mostly is somewhere in the losing the Jaguars collectively lost some confidence, and the difference between winning and losing in the NFL is a small enough margin that a slight loss of confidence matters. None of this completely explains it, of course. The truth is I wish I had a better answer. I'm far from alone on that front.
Brandon from Arkansas
I'm not a big fan of "fire everyone," but this is probably as close as I've been with an NFL team. I mean, at some point somewhere, someone has to realize this isn't working right??
Two weeks remain in the 2024 regular season. I expect we'll know much more about the futures of Head Coach Doug Pederson and General Trent Baalke very soon after the season ends.
Josh from Lakewood
Does Coach Pederson lack the authority to tell Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen the backfield rotations are out of control? That players like Arik Armstead and Foye Oluokun are playing the wrong position?
Pederson has the authority to make the decisions on defense.
Nick from Virginia Beach, VA
Our offense averaged a lot of points in the throwbacks. Can we get them permanently?
I don't expect the Jaguars to permanently change their uniforms in the immediate future. I would like to see a version of the throwbacks when a change does occur. I don't make those decisions.
Alan from Pilot Mountain NC
John, Not really a question. Years ago I was leading a group who were failing badly. Plainly not getting the job done. I told my boss every person was working very hard and giving 100 percent effort. He looked at me and said, "Never confuse effort with achievement." I have never forgotten those words. The jags need a fire lite under their butts, I just don't see it being done. Thanks for all you do for us fans. Win or lose, I not going anywhere.
Bless you.
John from Hopkins, MN
What does it take for players to make plays when they have to do so to win the game? Just the feeling I have from all of our losses by seven points or less this season – and if no coaching or GM changes happen, do you think there's hope of us making those plays next year?
The first thought is it takes better, more-experienced players – and it really helps if your quarterback is playing at a high level. I think Lawrence is progressing to being the sort of player who makes those plays. He's not there enough yet.
Eric from JACKSONVILLE BEACH
We're close to the same age, so I know I'm waaaay too old to say things like this, but I believe the kids say 'He is him!' when talking about BTJ. Dude is a stud for sure, excited to see what the future has in store for him.
Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is special. He was special to start the 2024 regular season and he has gotten specialer as the season has continued. The Jaguars don't have enough great players. If Thomas can stay healthy, they're going to have at least one for the foreseeable future.
Chris from Tampa
Even in Vegas, the Jags still suck.
Fair.
Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ
Would you agree that the hope and expectation for first-round draft picks is that they become franchise players as well as potential All-Pro or Pro Bowl Selections? BTJ is well on his way. Anton Harrison, Travon Walker, Devin Lloyd, Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne Jr. are not. That hurts with as high as the Jags have been drafting in recent decades.
I would agree about linebacker Devin Lloyd and perhaps running back Travis Etienne Jr., although Etienne's 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023 mean the Jaguars have gotten significant production from the selection. I don't know that we agree nearly much about right tackle Anton Harrison, defensive end Travon Walker or Lawrence. But yes, the Jaguars overall need more difference-making players. They need more special. There are a bunch of guys who are really good and a few flirting with special. But they need more special.
Mike from Atlanta, GA currently on holiday in Bogotá, Colombia
A fan shared their too-long list of core players moving forward, so I want to share mine because I think mine is closer to yours. Linebacker Ventrell Miller, defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, Walker, Harrison, Thomas, Lawrence, running back Tank Bigsby, tight end Brenton Strange. With a couple question marks defensive lineman Maason Smith and wide receiver Parker Washington.
You're right. Yours is much closer to mine.
Pete from Daytona Beach, FL
Dear Funkmeister, so the Jaguars were underdogs to a team with a worse record than them. A team that has lost 10 games in a row. A team that's starting its third string quarterback. The result, of course another Jaguars loss. This pretty much sums up the 2024 Jacksonville Jaguars.
I've received multiple versions of this email in recent days – and I even heard some of this sentiment before Sunday's loss to the Raiders. I don't know that there's much breaking news here. The Jaguars are 3-12. They're one of the NFL's worst teams. They're not going to be favored often. Particularly on the road. It's a lost season. That's it. That's the meal.
Rob from Pittsburgh, PA
Hey, John. Do you think this team lacks a vocal leader? Merry Christmas.
Probably, though I don't know that vocal leadership is the end-all and I don't know that some of the for-camera theatrics – i.e., screaming and pre-game hype speeches – are as much real leadership as they are "so much show." I do think the Jaguars need more tone-setting veterans. The Jaguars tried to bring in such leadership last offseason and those players tried to be such leaders. It's hard to buy such leadership in the NFL.
O'Neal from Jacksonville
Is the problem with the team coaching or the players? We are seeing assignments being missed on defense. Players fumbling the ball. Players unaware of football situations. We have lost 10 games by one score. We have to be able to finish games.
Yes.
Ray from Richmond, VA
From what I saw of the game Sunday, it looked like both of the Jags sacks were due to penetration by Travon Walker. That said, how much of the lack of sacks this year is on the secondary versus the pass rush? It feels like the Jags get zero "coverage" sacks and rarely get a big inside rush to go along with it.
Walker is really good, disruptive and powerful. He therefore gets double-teamed and chipped a lot. The Jaguars' overall lack of sacks from this perspective is largely because the defensive interior doesn't get penetration consistently enough. It's hard for edge rushers to get sacks if quarterbacks know they can escape it by stepping away from it. This isn't the entire discussion, but it's a pertinent point.
Darren from Jax
I always assume those who want to blame Pederson for everything that happens on the field has never led a group of people. The man didn't forget how to coach. Do you think maybe sometimes the players just don't do what they're coached to do?
At times. Not all the time. But at times.
Brandon from Wahoo, NE
Hey, O. I know you love talking about postseason accolades, in particular the Pro Bowl. It the spirit of Christmas I'd like to do something nice and ask you this question. Would it be an abomination for Brian Thomas Jr. not to be selected to the Pro Bowl this year? He currently sits at second in both yards and touchdowns in the AFC.
Thomas should be in the Pro Bowl. It might be difficult for him to make it because he plays for a small-market team that is currently 3-12. It also will be difficult because fans and players tend to vote for names with which they are more familiar than for whose are deserving.
Adam from Round Here
In spite of it all, John a Merry Krimma to you and the entire O-Zone staff, I know there are too many to name.
Merry Krimma.
