JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it…
Mike from Cartersville (AKA Trevortown), GA
Are the heart cats at it again? Late-game magic against the Ravens and Cowboys. If they can make the tournament, they are my dark horse.
If these Jaguars don’t currently qualify as “Cardiac Cats”, I’m not sure what would merit the nickname. They have won four of their six games – and they have rallied from deficits of at least seven points in all four wins. They trailed the Las Vegas Raiders by 17 points in a 27-20 win, the Baltimore Ravens by nine points in a 28-27 win, the Tennessee Titans by seven points in a 36-22 win and the Dallas Cowboys Sunday by 17 points in an overtime win at 40-34. We are at the point where this is not a fluke. But even beyond the excitement of the moment, the trend from behind points to something significant about the 2022 Jaguars. This team spent the first two months of the season learning how to win, losing six games by one score in the process. It was frustrating but they are winning close games by one score now. That’s because quarterback Trevor Lawrence is maturing and developing—and that’s because the entire team is doing the same. The Jaguars have played their way into the playoffs, and it’s no fluke. They are a gritty, seedy team that is forming an identity as such. And yes…Cardiac Cats are indeed back in business.
Good teams find a way to win. Are the Jags suddenly a good team?
The Jaguars have won four of six games. Three of those games are against teams with winning records. They beat a Dallas Cowboys team on Sunday that many consider a Top 5 team and a Super Bowl contender. Yes, right now the Jaguars are good.
Rayshawn Jenkins deserves a game ball for his defensive effort. Eighteen tackles, two picks and the game-winning touchdown deserve the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. Cheers to Rayshawn!!!
Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins actually recorded 18 tackles with two interceptions Sunday, including one he returned 52 yards for the game-winning touchdown in overtime. If he’s not the AFC Defensive Player of the Week, I can’t wait to see the game for the guy who wins it. That must have been one hell of a performance.
Could this team really make the playoffs?
Absolutely. To review: The 6-8 Jaguars are a game behind the AFC South-leading Tennessee Titans (7-7). Because the Jaguars beat the Titans in Nashville last week, they would win the division if the teams finish tied and the Jaguars win the regular season finale in Jacksonville. The Jaguars play at the New York Jets (7-7) and Houston Texans (1-12-1) before playing Tennessee. The Titans host Dallas (10-4) and the Texans before playing Jacksonville. If the teams are within one game of each other and the Jaguars win the final, they will win the division. They control their destiny. Yes it’s true.
Titans at home on the night for the division? Can you feel it?
The only pledge the Jags should post in the stadium is, “We will be upset if the city gets excited to completely kill any atmosphere.
This was of many, many, many emails sent early Sunday that didn’t hold up so well. Why did I choose Alan’s? Because we are the two best friends anyone could be.
Ok, I’m an idiot! Go Jags and thank God for Trevor!
As much as we as fans like to bash General Manager Trent Baalke. He deserves huge credit for finding Zay Jones.
And broadband receiver Christian Kirk. And linebacker Foye Oluokun. And tight end Evan Engram.
After the London match, I completely doubted the kid. I was oh so wrong. I am now a full believer never to doubt again!
It was easy to doubt Lawrence after London. He threw two terrible interceptions in a loss to the Denver Broncos, the Jaguars had lost five straight games, and his red zone turnovers had cost the Jaguars at least three games. And although Lawrence said this week that he remembered everything that had been written and said about him in the last 18 months, it was not ridiculous after London for observers and fans to doubt him. He had had several plays that made even the astute observers wonder if he was on the way. But if you looked closely, you saw an improvement. And he never lost his confidence. And Lawrence has absolutely proven in the last six weeks that he is a franchise quarterback and a foundation. We no longer have to wait. Or wonder. Or speculate. The boy is special. The Jaguars can feel comfortable building around him. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t get bad games. That doesn’t mean he will be perfect. But you’re not succeeding at what he’s been doing for the last six weeks. You just don’t.
What. Just. happened! When you’re in North Carolina, you don’t get to see many Jags games, but Sunday was worth it. This team is finding itself and they believe. We could be in a good run here for a while with this team and QB1 in particular.
Pedal bin from Farnborough, Hampshire, UK
Oh Mighty ‘O’ / King of all Funk, Wow. Just, wow. There’s just no quitting in this team. Incredible.
I did this in O-Zone Late Night Sunday, but it’s worth doing again. Lawrence is the No. 1 story for this team because he makes them relevant in the short and long term. But the defining characteristic of the 2022 Jaguars is the team’s grit and fight. The Jaguars have gone from a team that lost close games in frustrating fashion to a team that has won four of six games, coming from behind in all four games to do so. It’s grit and it’s a team that won’t give up. It’s an impressive turnaround.
Mighty O. This is the first game in years where I felt like we were never out of contention. This finally feels different. I know we’re focused on next week and then the week after that, but I’m really feeling good about next season!
The Jaguars are still very much in the playoff conversation in 2022. They’ve played there and control their own destiny for the postseason. But Lawrence’s development gives the improvement a robust feel that makes the short- and long-term future as bright as it has been for at least a decade, maybe two. Maybe a little more.
Wait a minute, KOAF. Am I remembering this correctly? You talked about six wins for this season as your “prediction?” You did it, except we have three games left.?.? DUUUUUUVVVVAAAALL!!!!
I actually thought before the season that this was a six to seven win team. I’ve stuck to that prediction pretty consistently. I think now there is a chance I may have missed a low.
Do the rules allow the quarterback to go into motion?
KOAF do you see this as the most impressive win of the season so far? I think this win was the most impressive as we lost the turnover margin and came back from a deep deficit to still win.
The 2022 Jaguars have had some impressive wins, beating the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans as those teams led the division. The Ravens win came as Baltimore had won four straight games. But the Cowboys had also won four straight entering Sunday and are a balanced offense with a very talented defense. Rallying from 17 down against that team? Yes, I would consider it the Jaguars most impressive win of the season. Until now.
Tennessee, Baltimore, Dallas? This is the “hard part of the schedule”
The Jaguars beat good teams late in the season. This is fun. It is exciting. It’s not a fluke either. Not remotely.
Man, talk about getting hot at the right time. Oh, I think we’re going to the playoffs.
Can we get a couple for Christian Kirk and THE Zay Jones?!?! Everyone said we paid too much, but I don’t see the offense running without them. Can Riley Patterson get one too? He has been solid all season.
A fer Kirk and a fer Zay Jones – and you’re right, they are critical to the offense. And yes… one of Patterson. That 48-yard field goal at the end of the fourth quarter … it doesn’t get much more clutch than that.
Yup. This 2022 Jaguars season is going to be interesting. Maybe very interesting.
