JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Brian from Wheeling
Well, there you go, Jones fans. Now shut up about him starting. New England should have given us the sixth-round pick for taking him.
I have received multiple versions of this email since the Jaguars' 12-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at EverBank Stadium Sunday – and while that's perhaps understandable considering the ugly nature of the loss, I don't know how necessary it is to slam Mac Jones. Yes, he struggled in his first Jaguars start replacing quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who missed a start with a left-shoulder injury – Lawrence's first missed start of the season and second of his career. Jones in fact struggled mightily at times Sunday, committing costly and ugly turnovers on the Jaguars' final three possessions. But I have been struck by the surprise over the performance – and by the anger directed toward Jones. While he started three seasons for the New England Patriots before being acquired by the Jaguars in an offseason trade, this was his first start here. And remember: He is a backup. He wasn't going to be the savior. He's not expected to be the savior. Such thoughts were misguided. Is it all that surprising he didn't play as well as Lawrence? Lawrence is the team's starter for a reason. And Jones is his backup for a reason. Jones had a tough day with a struggling offense against one of the NFL's best defenses Sunday. This was a tough spot. It doesn't make Jones an awful backup quarterback. It makes him a backup quarterback who had a really tough first day in front of the home fans.
Rob from Middleburg
Not much left to say O. If anyone involved in coaching or player acquisition has a job here by the end of the season, we're not trying. One question, given expectations going into the season, is this easily the most disappointing team in franchise history? I don't think there's any question, and with this franchise, that's saying something.
I got multiple versions of this email following Sunday's loss, too – and I think there may be some recency bias at play her. That's understandable because we're in the middle of this disappointing Jaguars season and it's natural that anything happening now trumps all that has happened before. Remember, though: The 2000 Jaguars team that followed the 1999 14-2/AFC Championship Game season had high expectations and quickly played its way out of the postseason as that early Jaguars team that made four consecutive postseason appearances began declining. The 2018 Jaguars team that followed the 2017 AFC Championship Game season started 3-1 with a victory over the New England Patriots and had similarly high expectations before collapsing. But yes: This season is up there. Or down there. Just because it's not clearly the most disappointing in franchise history doesn't make it not disappointing.
James from Titusville, NJ
The sky isn't falling. It completely fell. And it hurts.
Ouch.
Mike from Lakeland, FL
Change is needed from the top down.
Many O-Zone emails are calling for change. Because of course they are. Change often happens in or after disappointing seasons. It's the nature of professional sports. We're seven games from the end of this season, and I suspect this will be a storyline until it's not. Stay tuned.
Boxcutter Bill from Mass
Everybody calling for Mac and bashing Trevor, there you go. If Trevor plays, we win that game. Same Mac from New England. Throw to the tight ends, hold on to the ball, and turn the ball over. You think Jags fan see now?
Maybe.
GP from Savannah
Why no C.J. after Jones bombed in the last drive? Pitiful decision making by a group of coaches that will be gone next year.
I think I'm reading this right, but let me make certain. You're apparently asking why the coaches didn't put C.J. Beathard, who signed off the Miami Dolphins' practice squad on Wednesday, in the game to replace Jones against one of the NFL's best defenses. That's what you're asking, right?
JK from NY & Fernandina Beach, FL
John - After a tough loss, Mac Jones was humble and gracious in defeat during his postgame appearance before the press. What is your assessment of Head Coach Doug Pederson's comportment during his Q&A with the press?
That he's a frustrated head coach who probably didn't handle the press conference perfectly. He joins a long line of NFL coaches who didn't answer questions perfectly during a losing streak.
Chuck from Ponte Vedra Beach
Did someone forget to tell Mac Jones that Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is playing like our top receiver?
I'm sure he knew.
Jimsure from DBS
Is it a prerequisite that our quarterback throws an interception into the end zone towards the end of the game?
Googling this.
Justin from West Des Moines
Even with a 7-3 lead, even with the forced interceptions, it just felt inevitable, didn't it? I know Mr. Khan makes measured decisions, and I think that should be respected. That being said, what's the point? Could it get worse?
Yes, a Jaguars loss did sort of feel inevitable Sunday. Such is the nature of lost seasons, and the 2024 season Jaguars season certainly qualifies as lost. There were high expectations and the Jaguars are playing far below those expectations. As for your final question – can it get worse? The Jaguars have lost six games by five points or less and were very much in all six games. They have competed the last three games against NFC contenders. This isn't good. This isn't acceptable. It's downright unacceptable. But it absolutely can get worse than that. A lot worse. We've seen a lot worse in these parts. More than once.
Bryan from Lutz
In case anyone still had doubts, Trevor Lawrence hasn't been holding this offense back.
Fair.
Brad from Yankton, SD
So sad to see all the Vikings fans in our stadium, but not a surprise.
There were a lot of Vikings fans at EverBank Field Monday but it's not particularly sad or unusual in the NFL. When teams in non-traditional markets struggle, there typically will be large amounts of fans from opposing teams when the opposing team is from a more traditional market. This happens all around the NFL on a weekly basis.
Michael from Middleburg
WHAT A BLEEPING JOKE!!!
I'm not laughing.
Gerry from Jacksonville
Second week in a row that the offensive coordinator calls an ill-advised pass to the end zone on first down and over 1:40 to go. And not our best receiver either. Still don't think the offensive coordinator and coach need to go?
It's always play-calling in the NFL.
Ken from Mainz, Germany
My cat that sat in my lap for the game could have coached better than Pederson. Just awful. Pederson needs to be fired now.
It's always catting in the NFL.
Haney from Little Elm, TX
Maybe teach the defense to cover tight end T.J. Hockenson on third down?
Hockenson was key for the Vikings' offense Sunday, catching eight passes for 72 yards and multiple big first downs. Better interior pressure wouldn't suck, either.
Glenn from Tampa, FL
What gives? Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson has not played well this year and the other team knows it. Watching Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold pick on Johnson on third downs in the second quarter makes me wonder … where's Dewey? Why activate the guy if he's not going to play?? It's like he he coaching staff insists on taking the best players off the field as much as they can.
Safety Andrew Wingard spent the first nine regular-season games on injured reserve with a knee injury. Sunday was his first game back. The idea was to rotate him in slowly because it's difficult to return at maximum usage in the first game following such a layoff.
Brian from Round Rock, TX
Wow, those uniforms look bad. They're actually so bad it's distracting. Is that the idea? Note to Jags, black is just a filler color. Note to Jags, the refs get the black and white uniforms. Note to Jags, black and white is boring. Note to Jags, YOU SUCK!
The Jaguars wore white helmets with alternate black jerseys Sunday. It's an alternate look. They're alternate jerseys. Which means they get worn on occasion. Which means they won't ruin whatever you have going on in your life very often.
Mike from Cartersville (AKA Trevortown), GA
Speaking of surprises. My wife came home from work and I said I have a surprise. We went to an authentic Chinese restaurant we have been wanting to try. I had the Chongqing chicken I have long desired. What a treat. It might be my new favorite dish!
I had cold lasagna and six bite-sized Kit Kats for dinner Sunday. I started to eat just two Kit Kats, but I saw there were four left in the jar and ate the last ones. My house, my rules.
