JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Sascha from Cologne
Hey, John. Every week the same question, but why not just take the points? Then you have a three-score game. Instead, you gave the opponent some kind of momentum. I know Doug will not change that, but I hate these calls.
You're referencing what perhaps unsurprisingly was the Topic of the Moment following the Jaguars' 32-16 victory over the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium in London Sunday. The topic in question is Head Coach Doug Pederson opting to go for a first down on fourth-and-1 from the Patriots 6 while leading 25-10 early in the fourth quarter. This came after a 17-play, 84-yard drive and the first result of the play was that the Patriots stopped running back Tank Bigsby for no gain. The next result was that the Patriots immediately drove for a touchdown to pull to within 25-16 with 8:22 remaining. It was a decision that undoubtedly changed momentum and temporarily gave the Patriots a chance. Pederson after the game on the decision: "I was riding the momentum of what we were doing up to that point. Our offensive line was really taking control of the game to that point. I felt like just putting it in their hands one more time and getting the first down right there and icing the game." As your email noted, this is how Pederson coaches. He's aggressive in that situation. He just is, for better or worse. The old man in me says kick the field goal to take a 28-10 lead there. Pederson doesn't listen to the old man in me. I probably wouldn't, either.
Big Jags Fan from Jacksonville
Trevor was sharp, Tank was a beast, BThomas is the real deal, Walker/Cleveland/Morse were physical run blockers and the defense woke out of their first quarter sleepwalk to play solid, inspired football … is this the start of the season turnaround?
All true. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence played well Sunday, running back Tank Bigsby continued to improve and rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. absolutely is looking like one of the better draft selections in recent Jaguars memory – maybe in franchise history. Offensive linemen Walker Little/Ezra Cleveland/Mitch Morse indeed formed a solid run-blocking core on a good day for the offensive line and the running game. And the defense was very good after the first quarter. I can't in good conscience call it the start of a season turnaround until the Jaguars win more than one consecutive game. They are, after all, 2-5 – and have yet to play all that well for an entire game. But the only way they can scrape out of their slow start is to win and win again. And again. They won once Sunday and that was the first step.
Tony from Johns Creek, GA
O, nice win. I didn't care for Pederson pulling in the horns, but the result is what matters. Having cornerback Tyson Campbell back was huge, yet Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye still had a 109 QB rating. Still work to be done.
Art, the little lights are not twinkling.
Mark from KC via OP
FINALLY! The defense showed up. Props to the D, but why does it take a full quarter before they show up?
The NFL is professional football, which means it's not college football. All teams have talent in professional football, which means perfect games – either on offense or defense – are rare.
Sam from Orlando, FL
Bucket hat? Maybe Don is the new King of All Funk. I'd love to see you try and tell him otherwise.
Don knows where to find me.
Darren from Fort Worth, TX
Good one Jacksonville to prove me wrong. Was the offensive line actually this good, or was the Patriots defensive line that bad?
The Jaguars' offensive line played one of its best games of the season Sunday, not allowing a sack as the team rushed for 171 yards. The unit was dominant at times and controlled the game. The Patriots' defensive line is not considered elite.
Boxcutter Bill from Mass
That's how you run the ball. A lot of times this year we got too cute on offense putting Trevor in tough spots. On Sunday, we pushed some big men around. Too bad we didn't do that in Houston on the goal line. What's the chances Doug and Press continue this trend? I really like our chances if we can run the ball like that.
I have no doubt Head Coach Doug Pederson and offensive coordinator Press Taylor would love to run every game as they did Sunday. When you run that well, you rarely lose. Will the trend continue? How will the line block? How will the players play?
Matt from Bradford, England
Most complete game we've played in ages it seems like. Even running the ball nice to be the ones playing bullyball for a change DUVAL
Winning is cool. Fans like it. It's even cool against a struggling, rebuilding team.
Brad from The Avenues
John, what's wrong with me? On the 9th I went in for a test. I won't go into the details but after sweating it out or almost a week, the results came back negative. I was absolutely giddy and yet Sunday felt better.
Winning is cool. Fans like it. Even fans with a decidedly skewed perspective on what's important like it.
Crash from Glen Saint Mary, FL
OZ! Run! Run! Run! I like it!
Cool beans.
Micah from Chicago
That interior pass rush does NOT look like we should have an inactive Maason Smith. Am I crazy?
Jaguars rookie defensive tackle Maason Smith was not active Sunday. This surprised many because Smith was a second-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. There are many reasons young players are deactivated on game day.
Colin from Sanford, FL
John. Do the you think the sculptors in Canton have already started working on Brian Thomas Jr.'s likeness, or is that more of a wait for the off season thing?
You jest. At least I hope you jest. But jesting aside, Jaguars rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has the feel of a special player. Thomas looks like's going to be a No. 1 receiver and the best receives this team ever drafted. With a hat tip to running back Tank Bigsby, he's the best story of the Jaguars' season so far.
Jim from Middleburg
Hey John. I'm sure I've been happier than I am now but don't remember it !
I can't remember being happier than I am now. That's wrong. I just can't remember being happy.
James from Titusville, NJ
How many more times must we endure a failed fourth-down attempt before Doug learns to take points that are given? Same answer as always, "At least once more."
Pederson's not going to stop coaching this way. So … yes: At least once more. Probably a lot more than that, actually.
Adam from Cocoa, FL
Not going for the three-score lead with ten minutes remaining is not aggressive, it's simply a bad decision. Am I wrong?
Right or wrong is hazy thing in this crazy life we lead. And still we meander on, just lost souls seeking definitive answers to elusive questions. May we continue to seek. May we sometimes find peace.
Ken from Mainz, Germany
12-5 here we come!!
You go, girl.
Anita from Springfield
Like I said … inevitable. Glad to admit I was wrong. Now let's do it against a good team.
This was an understandable sentiment Sunday. The Jaguars have struggled enough this season that beating a 1-6 team for many fans will leave a flat feeling. And that's fair. But it's Monday morning, and the Jaguars haven't won many games this season. You play who the schedule says you play in the NFL and the Jaguars won their game Sunday. Savor it while you can. There's time for seeing this thing through the prism of reality later.
Michael from Port Orange, FL
When are the coaches going to stop calling plays that gives away so many points at the beginning of games I just a symbol of bad coaching of trying to run your offense instead one that works
Good effort. Never feel bad about doing your best.
Gabe from J-Ville
"Let's impose our will on them with 10 straight running plays". No, Press, run play action with your $50 million quarterback and score a touchdown. Our coaching staff is just not intelligent.
It's always coaching in the NFL.
Don from Richmond, KY
So, which position or player do you like early in next year's draft?
I have no idea. I'll start thinking about and analyzing the 2025 NFL Draft after the 2024 regular season, which ends in January.
JT from Palm Coast, FL
What an amazing game to attend. Down 10-0 had me worried, but what a way to finish. If possible, every Jags fan should attend one game at Wembley in their lifetimes. What a fun, fun game.
It's a cool atmosphere. I'm glad you enjoyed your game.
