INGLEWOOD, Calif. – This was impressive. And total.
If that sounds familiar, it's because that was how we were describing the Jaguars a week ago.
The Jaguars on Sunday dominated from start to finish, pulling away from the Los Angeles Chargers for a 38-10 victory at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. This came a week after a similarly dominant victory, 24-0 over the Indianapolis Colts at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville.
That's right: A team that won four games in two seasons now has won back-to-back games by a combined 52 points.
There were many storylines Sunday. An efficient offense. A dominant defense. An improving quarterback in Trevor Lawrence. And so on. But this writer keeps going back to one thought:
The last time the Jaguars won back-to-back games by so many points came in 2000, when they beat the Cleveland Browns 48-0 one week and the Arizona Cardinals 44-10 the next.
Those two games were essentially the last gasp of the best stretch in franchise history, with the early Tom Coughlin years fading under salary-cap strain. Considering the presence of Lawrence and Head Coach Doug Pederson, and an improving and talented young roster, might these two games signal the start of a similar era? A better one?
Stay tuned.
Let's get to it …
Jeremy from Gilbert, AZ
My man, we now have a real damn football team! What's crazy is Trevor is still occasionally making too late of a read/decision or inaccurate pass. He's already really good. When he cleans up his game even more, watch out!
Lawrence indeed had a few errant throws and misreads Sunday. He's improving. He's young. He's not yet close to perfect. But remember: No quarterback is perfect, not even the great ones. This is real life. Not Madden. Lawrence passed for three touchdowns with no interceptions and led touchdown drives on the first three possessions of the second half Sunday. That's good stuff for any quarterback.
Josh from Fernandina Beach (via Ft. Lauderdale)
Yes sir, Zone. Yes sir.
Winning is cool. Josh likes it.
Josh from Atlanta, GA
Unbelievable start for the D. Unbelievable frustration with our red zone O.
This was the much-ballyhooed, always-critical, typically-sent-waaaaay-too-soon First Email of the Game – and this one was pretty spot on. The Jaguars couldn't quite close in the red zone in the first half Sunday. You got the idea if they could finish they could pull away. That was the right idea.
Clayton from Shawnee, OK
The quarterback has to play better. Period.
This wasn't the much-ballyhooed, always-critical, typically-sent-waaaaay-too-soon First Email of the Game, but it did show you sometimes have to give games at least a few plays to play out before analyzing.
T from Palm Coast
Never mind Sacksonville, is this the '85 Bears defense?!
Ee-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-asy there, big fella.
Logan from Wichita
Winning is the best form of medicine. Laughter is a close second. We might be on the road to recovery Mr. O.
It would appear that Logan from Wichita might be "all in," or at least close to it. I can't say I now have seen everything. I can say I'm closer to having seen everything than I was before.
Gary from Apollo Beach
Well, well, well … we might be on to something special here! What say you King of all Funk???
I say these last two weeks have changed my thoughts on this team. This is a good team with a good, improving defense and a good, improving offense with a good, improving young quarterback. What's not to like?
Ray from Newport News, VA
Maybe the AFC South is not as bad as everyone thought and the AFC West is not as good as everyone thinks. Someone smart said you really don't know who is good until at least four weeks in.
I believe I did say and write that. I didn't come up with the idea myself. Too many changes from year to year to know what divisions and teams will be great from one year to the next. Considering Sunday's results in the South, it indeed appears this season is still playing itself out. And it appears the South might actually have a decent team or two – and that West might not be invincible after all. Will wonders never cease?
Charles from Port St Lucie
Do you still think six-to-seven seven wins, or has your opinion changed? Personally, I feel like this team could win the South.
I said and wrote often in recent months, weeks and days that I considered the Jaguars a six-to-seven-victory team. I also said on Jaguars Drive Time this week that if the Jaguars won at either Los Angeles or Philadelphia in this two-week stretch that I would be "all in" on them being able to compete for the postseason. I'm an old man who shouts at clouds, but I'm not so stubborn as to be ridiculous about it. Consider this old man "all in."
Mark from Archer, FL
Zone, this Jags team is looking really good. The offense is really finding a groove and our defense is just playing lights out. They keep playing this way I don't think the playoffs are out of the question. Do you agree?
Yes.
