JACKSONVILLE – One more day to Look-Ahead Wednesday.
Let's get to it …
Nick from South Carolina
Was this a game that Trevor took personally? It appears he wanted to show the fans, media and the NFL that he isn't a bust and that he is "HIM".
It's understandable that some would interpret Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence's performance in a 34-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans this past Sunday that way. Lawrence, who threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more in the game, indeed had been criticized in recent weeks. Observers and opposing defenses had speculated that he wasn't getting past his first read and that he struggled if defenses took that first read away. He downplayed the outside opinions Sunday, saying "I'm not thinking about any of that stuff. I could care less what those guys say, to be honest. That's really my only response to that. It doesn't matter. If those guys think I'm the best thing in the world, it doesn't matter either. So [it] doesn't really matter." My guess is Lawrence thinks about what observers say a liiiiiiiiiitle bit. He had said recently that such comments can be motivation at times. But I don't sense it's his primary motivation. Not even close.
Pete In 200 section opposite the Bud Zone
What a game! HOWEVER, the rouging-the-passer penalty on the Jags was absolutely atrocious! How do they call that??? They scored on the next play. Thankfully, we were beating them badly by then, but it won't always be that way.
You're referencing a roughing-the-passer penalty on Jaguars outside linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson late in the third quarter Sunday. Officials ruled that Chaisson came down with his full weight on Titans quarterback Will Levis. I don't blame the official in this situation. The league has emphasized this rule so much in recent seasons that it's hard not to call it – and Chaisson did land fully on Levis with defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris landing on him, too. The primary issue, as I see it, is that officials are discouraged from allowing intent and circumstance influence this call. There wasn't really any way for Chaisson to avoid making the play he did under the circumstance. It's another case of officials having to make a call to comply with a rule implemented to protect quarterbacks. The results are often unfair for defenders. But I can't see the league leaning away from this in this era of emphasizing player safety.
Carl from Jacksonville
Wait… You mentioned "in 13 years covering this team" in the O-Zone Late Night. Has it really been 13 years since you took over for Rick?
This is my 13th season covering the Jaguars for jaguars.com. I was an aging man when I returned in February 2011. I am an old man now.
Mike from Fruit Cove
John, I'm thinking this game in Houston is going to be nothing like what happened when Houston beat us here in Jacksonville. I don't think we've truly seen what this offense can do. I think Sunday's game against Tennessee was just a preview. Go Jags!
The Texans beat the Jaguars, 37-17, in Jacksonville in Week 3. The Jaguars fell behind 17-0, cut the lead to 17-10 in the third quarter, then allowed a long kickoff return to fullback Andrew Beck that all-but secured the Texans' victory. The Jaguars' offense indeed should be a different unit Sunday than it was that day. My guess is the defense will be just as critical. The unit allowed two long explosive pass plays in that game, one of which resulted in a touchdown and the other which led to a short touchdown run. There were massing miscommunications on both plays. The Jaguars have to figure if they communicate well and lock down special teams, then they're certainly not 20 points worse than the Titans. We'll see what Sunday brings.
Scott from Jacksonville
Three special teams tackles gets you to third most on the team?? Who has all the special teams tackles??
The Jaguars have 21 special teams tackles this season. Safety Daniel Thomas leads the team with five followed by long snapper Ross Matiscik with four and linebacker Chad Muma with three.
John Cicchino from Section 206
The Titans didn't play well? Their quarterback outplayed Lawrence 143 to 120 (Satire font).
Levis indeed had a 143 passer rating compared to 120 for Lawrence Sunday. Passer rating, as is the case with most NFL statistics, is a tool best used as part of a mosaic and not an end-all measure of value or performance.
JT from Palm Coast, FL
I'm not sure if they will admit this truthfully or not, but is Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson calling plays again? There were plenty of times that the camera panned to Doug in between offensive plays and it definitely looked like he was the one speaking to Trevor. Do you know if he is or not?
Offensive coordinator Press Taylor is calling plays for the Jaguars.
Greg from Atlanta, GA
How did the Titans window close so fast? Just a few years ago they were the one seed and very likely. They would have won the division last year with a healthy Ryan Tannehill at quarterback – or if quarterback Josh Dobbs holds onto that ball).
Multiple reasons, chief among them: An offensive line that was long the strength of the team no longer is a strength. Perhaps because of that and perhaps because of wear and tear, running back Derrick Henry isn't quite the force he was a couple of seasons ago. As a result, the Titans can no longer will their way past and through opponents. When you don't have a franchise quarterback in the NFL, windows can close in a hurry.
John from Jacksonville
Hi, KOAGF. I know we are supposed to be nice, but my regret on us beating the Titans the last three games is that Jeff Fisher wasn't coaching on their sidelines.
That's not nice at all. I'm certain you're not alone.
Steve from Hilton Head, SC
John, I must admit it was nice to not see Derrick Henry run for 200 yards.
Fair. Henry entering Sunday had rushed for 1,373 yards and 16 total touchdowns in 13 career games against the Jaguars, the most career rushing yards and touchdowns by a player against the Jaguars. He had six 100-yard games and two 200-yard games. The Jaguars on Sunday held Henry to 38 yards on 10 carries, his second-fewest yards rushing in a game against Jacksonville.
JT from Palm Coast, FL
Very impressive bounce back by the good guys. All three phases also. It wasn't perfect, but that does NOT matter. Blowing out a divisional opponent is a damn good sign. Cheers!
You play who you play in the NFL. The Jaguars have beaten seven of the 10 teams they have played this season. No team plays perfect games, but the Jaguars' defense was very good Sunday – albeit against an opponent that has been struggling offensively. The offense was very good in the second half Sunday against a team good defensive front. But any time you win impressively without trailing it's a good victory in the NFL. And a good sign.
Brian from Round Rock, Texas
Is Trevor back on Cloud 9 and feeling like he's great, or has he finally learned the lesson? Hey, Trevor. You haven't achieved anything. You're NOT great. The offense ISN'T great. Go fight for a win. Then rinse and repeat every week for ever and ever. Will he?
Your question suggests that Lawrence believes he's great, or that he has a problem with perspective, or that he doesn't fight to win every week. This question is misguided.
Mike from Cartersville (AKA TREVORTOWN), GA
Am I the only one who noticed the drop off between the San Francisco 49ers defensive front and the Titans' is immense? I struggle to imagine that the offensive line got that much better in seven days. It's not to take away from the Jaguars' players at all only to say wow that 49ers defensive front is formidable. Based on the previous 16 or so games, this looks more like who the Jaguars are. Or is it more nuanced than this?
It's rarely about one thing in the NFL. The 49ers' defensive line is one of the best in the NFL. The Titans' defensive line is very good, particularly defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. The Titans' very good defensive line is perhaps not as good as the 49ers' VERY GOOD defensive line. Even with that being true, the Jaguars' offensive line played better Sunday than it did against the 49ers the previous week. Lawrence was not sacked. The Titans were credited with two quarterback hurries. That's good play from a unit that needed to play well.
Don from Marshall NC
Who could blame Arden Key for being disappointed with the decision he made? His team is nothing like the Jaguars of last year. His team is making vacation plans. The cheap shots from coast to coast are trying to bring the team down. These oil cans are defective! Go Jaguars!
Don, while a little "all over the place," remains "all in."
