JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

John from Jax

Hi, KOAGF. It's sad to think we will be entering the bye week at 2-9. Even Houston has been leaving the door open with a not-so-great season and we couldn't keep from tripping on ourselves. I miss seeing the Jags laugh and smile at game's end.

This accurately reflects the mood of many Jaguars fans and observers entering the weekend, with the team a disappointing 2-8 entering a game against the Detroit Lions (8-1) at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich., Sunday. The Jaguars started the season 0-4 – and while that seemed disastrous at the time, the Houston Texans have struggled enough that the Jaguars absolutely could have played their way back into the AFC South race had they won some very winnable games since then. Alas, they indeed kept tripping over themselves. There has been little joy in J'Ville this season, and postgame laugher and smiles have been all too rare. That's where we're at, gang. Ride or die.

GP from Savannah. GA

After the loss to Detroit, Head Coach Doug Pederson and Press Taylor need to be fired. No inspiration, enthusiasm or plan for the future from these guys.

I'm not sure how to quantify inspiration, enthusiasm or plans for the future – and it's quite evident I'm not as good at this as select O-Zone readers. I do know this team plays hard and enthusiastically for this coaching staff, and I know when teams lose a lot of games they tend to look uninspired, unenthusiastic and unplanned. As for you premise … the Jaguars will be 2-9 if they lose Sunday. That's seven games under .500 entering a late-season bye. I don't think Pederson or Taylor should be fired. I get no idea that anyone being fired is imminent. But these are the sorts of circumstances under which such things happen.

Brian from Jax

I appreciate Matt's concern about my lack of sleep. Might be the case. The Jaguars have me in this moral kiosk. But look, everybody hurts, right? The Jaguars stumble, we talk about the passion while you write about it. Do you ever get tired of the second guessing?

I thought we could reach our destination. We're still a ways away.

Leo from Duval

I get the feeling that ET is back!!! If Tank can't go, is there a chance we see the Robinson play?

Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. appears back to full strength after being hampered by a hamstring injury. Running back Tank Bigsby is out for Sunday because of an ankle injury. Running back D'Ernest Johnson will be active Sunday, and Velus Jones has been activated from the practice squad.

Alex from Michigan, formerly Florida

Keep it up, O-Man. You're like a flicker of hope in stormy seas. My question is on the blocking from the running backs. I noticed that when Mac Jones was often hit by Viking defenders running free and replays showed that Bigsby or other running backs didn't do a nice job of blocking them. If they blocked the defenders, Jones could have had probably two more seconds to find a receiver. I remember when Maurice Jones-Drew would put defenders on their backs if they thought of touching the QB. Do you think there will be heavy emphasis on run blocking to help Mac on Sunday, especially against an aggressive Lions front?

The Jaguars emphasize running backs helping in pass protection every week. Some backs are better at this than others. I don't know that there will be increased emphasis in this area this week.

Angry Jagman from Jacksonville

John, why have you consistently been saying that the interior of the defensive line isn't good enough and not pointing out the deficiency of the entire line? Do we have premier pash rushers on the edges that I'm missing? I mean, we PAID Hines-Allen like one, and some of us like to pretend that Walker's one, but we get almost zero pressure on the quarterback nearly every game. At least Walker is tied with Hutchinson for sacks this season – oh wait, they have the same sack total despite the fact that Hutchinson only played in five games and was injured over a month ago. But that's right, we drafted Walker first overall because of his voice, to yell "BUGGABUGAABUGGABOO!!!" at passing QBs and running backs while he's getting stuffed by the opposing lineman.

I don't point out the deficiencies of the Jaguars' edge defenders because the Jaguars edge defenders aren't deficient. The Jaguars have many issues. If you're looking at Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker as being among them, you're looking through a very biased and uninformed lens. Keep being angry, though. It's quite a look.

Don from Marshall, NC

Still not able to get a yard when you need it? After it was your biggest problem last year? Raise your hand if you think there is someone out there who could have fixed that? That still being a problem most likely will get someone fired. Go Jaguars!

When it comes to sort of being right – OK, really being right – Don not at all uncharacteristically remains "all in."

Fred from Naples, FL

I am done listening to sports talk shows and podcasts as it really borders on insanity. First, Tony Wiggins (good friend of yours) is suggesting the Jags draft Travis Hunter with the stipulation that Deion Sanders becomes the Jaguars next head coach or Travis won't come to Jacksonville. Secondly, I just heard the co-host on the Rich Eisen show suggest the Jaguars trade Trevor Lawrence to the Jets, fire Trent Baalke and the entire front office, draft Shedeur Sanders and do a complete re-boot of the organization … what did Charlie Brown always say? ... "I just can't stand it..."

It's "a lot."

Denis from Croatia

Dear O. The Jags' situation, a bad team with a bad record, shows exactly what is wrong with American sports. There is no incentive to watch Jags anymore. Half the season left and really nothing to look forward to. More than half of the league is out of playoff contention or is just bad. The same is true with baseball and basketball. So many games are played that don't matter. Teams are better off losing since it gives them better draft position. Why are there so many bad teams in the NFL? Three teams in our division are bad and Texans don't seem that great. Europe at least has relegation battles.

There are usually about as many teams under .500 in the NFL as there are over .500 because math. If that weren't true, it would be weird.

Todd from Jacksonville

Mr. O. I have been here since Day One. But this team has totally collapsed this year when someone speculated that it was the most talented roster ever. Does Mr. Khan have a day-to-day involvement with the mess? He has certainly been very committed to Jacksonville, which is greatly appreciated but he has lost more games than any owner in the NFL. Is he getting as frustrated as the fans yet? Because he is the only one that can change the direction of our loved Jaguars?

Jaguars Owner Shad Khan absolutely is frustrated.

Fred from Naples, FL

Upon looking back at this season, I believe the biggest mistake that Head Coach Doug Pederson and General Manager Trent Baalke made this offseason was thinking that the free agents we got (defensive end Arik Armstead, cornerback Ronald Darby, wide receiver Gabe Davis and safety Darnell Savage) would get the team over the hump and suddenly the Jags would "learn how to win." In retrospect we were probably better off getting younger free agents that gave more on the field.

I don't know that "younger free agents" are the answer. I do think in the long run less participation in free agency would be a positive.

Brian from ROUND ROCK

Black-and-white uniforms again. Should we accept that our primary team colors are black and white? I know you think it a joke, but I believe the Jags are the only team in sports history where the team colors are in question.

I don't see uniform colors as a joke. I understand many fans are crazy passionate about the subject. I just don't share the passion and don't see uniform colors as a reflection of the direction or future of the franchise.

Crash from Glen Saint Mary

OZ! Can't ya' smell that smell? The smell of an upset surrounds you!

Go Jaguars.

Jimsure from DBS

I wonder if fans of the Jaguars could be a little put off by Mr. Khan parking his insanely huge yacht downtown which kind of flaunts his wealth when we have a team that doesn't need that sort of a distraction at this moment.

It's my experience that people will find something to annoy them whatever the circumstance. Where Khan parks his yacht is not a distraction to the team. My guess is a handful of players and coaches – if that many – have the first clue of the whereabouts of Khan's boat.

Hamza from Jacksonville

How can I send the Jags my plays?

Welcome to peak O-Zone.