JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

John from Middleburg, FL

John, would it be naive to believe this thing has to get better? We are at the bottom. So things are going to be getting better soon, right?? John?

I hear you, and this seems as good a place to start as any in the wake of the Jaguars' 52-6 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich., Sunday – and it's absolutely fair to say the Jaguars are absolutely at the bottom. The Lions dominated Sunday to an almost impossible degree. They outgained the Jaguars 645-170. They had 38 first downs to 10 for the Jaguars. The Lions scored touchdowns on their first seven possessions, and didn't stop scoring touchdowns until starting quarterback Jared Goff left the game. That means they scored touchdowns as long as they wanted to keep trying to score touchdowns. Are things going to get better for the Jaguars soon? While loyal O-Zone readers know I often say things can always get worse, my thought is that may not be true in this case. You want to know how badly one team can beat another in the NFL? You saw it Sunday. That's it. That's the meal. So, yes … it has to get better. Probably.

Chuck from Margate, FL

I had such high hopes for Doug Pederson. I wish him the best of luck going forward. I also had high hopes for the defense this year. Sunday is their worst performance of the year. Press Taylor hasn't shown me much since he got here, good riddance. Baalke has been decent at drafting but bad at free agents. Good bye.

I received myriad emails along these lines Sunday – and really, how in the hell wouldn't that be the case? Sunday was the worst performance of the season on many fronts. It might have been the worst performance in franchise history. It was the most one-sided loss in franchise history, and I don't know that a team can get more dominated in the NFL than the Jaguars did Sunday. It was ridiculous in pretty much every sense. I'll say what is very, very obvious: When you're 2-9 entering a bye week and you lose in the manner the Jaguars did, change is going to be discussed. It's going to be discussed online and it's almost certainly going to be considered by the one person who matters – that's Jaguars Owner Shad Khan. I don't know if that means Khan will make changes. If he does, I don't know the extent of the changes. I don't know about the futures of Head Coach Doug Pederson or General Manager Trent Baalke, immediate or long-term. Khan keeps a very close circle on these matters – as should be the case. Most people who say they know his thinking are speculating, lying or both. What will the coming days bring? What will the end of the season bring? Stay tuned. Closely.

Mark from Jacksonville

Do you think or know if Shad/Tony ever seek or receive input from esteemed football people in the NFL that are not part of the Jaguars? Khan had shown himself over the years to be very loyal and patient and I'm concerned that no one in the organization has explained to him that our abysmal team is Baalke's fault ... almost like an "Emperor has no clothes" situation. Does Khan even understand why we're so bad? Does anyone have the guts to actually be honest with him? I have to think it'd be easier for someone outside of the organization to be transparent and honest with him.

Khan understands.

Greg from Boise, ID

It's official, we suck. New HC and staff incoming, next season? I can't see how Doug can or should be allowed to keep his job. I think he is a good coach but he's just not getting it done. His seat should be too hot to recover from. What say you?

I like Pederson. I think he's a good head coach. I also think there are some circumstances from which it's difficult to come back. A 52-6 loss combined with a 2-9 record … that's really difficult. I'm not at all saying Pederson should be fired. Or that he will. But this will be a very difficult road back – and not just for Pederson.

Limo Bob from Neptune Beach

Does this count as two bye weeks?

Limo Bob's got jokes.

Frank from St Augustine

Johnny … I'm curious if you think that the bigger disappointment is this game or is it the season as a whole.

Yes.

Bobby From Section 410 from Summerville, SC

KOAF, I always thought Dan Campbell was a great coach. That all changed Sunday, he has no class whatsoever!! Leaving his starters in to run the score up the way he did is classless. He should have pulled his starters after the Lions' first drive of the third quarter as it was quite apparent the game was decided. Any thoughts?

It's professional football. If a team wants the other team to stop scoring, they can stop them. Campbell did nothing remotely wrong Sunday.

Jonathan Formerly of Jax Beach

Even if Baalke were to figure out you need to build a team from the inside out, he could not possibly be trusted to pick the right dudes. If we retain him, it will be the end of the road for this fan whose been supporting this franchise since before we were actually rewarded the franchise. All the Bills preseason games in the old Gator Bowl and Jake Godbold's forward thinking and vision of the future all wasted by the last 2 plus decades of incompetence. It's a damn shame.

One not fer Baalke.

Steven from Charlotte, NC

The questions you have posted recently seem to indicate you also feel shocked at our talent evaluation and acquisition with us potentially picking No. 1 overall for the third time in five years. And a recent answer also implied you didn't think it would help to relieve coaches of their duties. I ask you, Ozone, if you were Owner Shad Khan, what would you do at the end of this year (or before)? Generally speaking, you have never been a fan of firing anyone. Does a year like this change your mind?

I'm not generally not big on midseason coaching changes in the NFL unless there's a specific reason. If the Jaguars select No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft – or even in the Top 5 – that's a major change in direction of the franchise in the wrong direction. It's hard to imagine there not being sweeping changes in coaching and personnel in that scenario. I'm not sure how that couldn't happen.

Tommy from Jax

The major difference between the Lions and Jags is that the Lions built their lines before they started drafting running back and linebacker in Round One. If this failed iteration has taught us anything is that you should draft huge lineman on both sides until those groups are strengths. Besides quarterback and maybe cornerback, nothing else matters.

Fair.

Drew from Buford, GA

This is not a legitimate NFL team.

Not on Sunday they weren't.

Keith from Saint Augustine

If this isn't rock bottom, then? Does Khan want to see if the team can play worse or the coaches coach worse? Is there some sadistic pleasure in knowing the fans are suffering and you won't ease their suffering? If Khan refuses to fire Pederson and Baalke, then the fans should speak by boycotting the Jaguars.

Just because something doesn't happen when you want it to happen doesn't mean something won't happen.

Mike from Jacksonville

No one should be surprised. This is the best example ever of a physical, motivated, talented team that is intense every play against one that is none of these things.

Pretty much.

Brad from Yankton, SD

At least we have kickers!

Punter Logan Cooke and kicker Cam Little absolutely qualify as two of the brightest spots in what is a phenomenally dismal season.

Greg from Section 122, Jacksonville, FL

Okay Oman, what's your answer to this one? Can't wait for this...let's go with Historical level beatdown.

I don't have answers.

Oscar from Palm Coast, FL

Sunday we truly witnessed how awful the Jags are as a team. Injuries are no excuse to lose that bad.

Who said anything about injuries?

Steven from St. John's

Ozone. Work your magic and spin it for us. #earnthatmoney

I'm good. I'm not that good.

Keith from St. Augustine, FL

How much longer will Shad Khan make the Jaguars' fans suffer? He has the ability to end this abomination and suffering. How much longer?

Only Khan knows the answer to that. Considering the circumstances, it would be surprising if there's not a change. As for what that change entails, and as for timing, anyone who's not Khan or very, very, very close to him can only speculate.

Cary from Montreal, Quebec

So, this is rock bottom, right zone?

One would hope.