I think I speak for the entire city of Jacksonville when I say each and every one of us would watch 1,000 more games in the rain if what we saw Sunday would be the result.
Looking to take sole control of
the AFC South and the team’s playoff destiny, the Jacksonville Jaguars decimated the visiting Colts 36-19. The score is not indicative of how lopsided the game was, but regardless, the win moved the Jags to 9-4 on the year and to 11-0 in their past meetings at home with the division rival Colts. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams was the #1 song the last time the Colts won in Duval County.
Since the bye week, the Jags have gone 5-1 with their lone loss inexplicably coming against the surging Texans. With at least three winnable games left on the schedule, the Jags have done a tremendous job since the bye – and since the two lifeless losses to Seattle and L.A. – to right the ship and set themselves up for future playoff success.
Over the weekend, we saw that process take full effect on the first play on defense.
WINNERS
Devin Lloyd
Two players raised their future contract price based on their play on Sunday. The first of those was Devin Lloyd.
On Indy’s first offensive possession, Lloyd snagged a pick off of Daniel Jones, which set up a four-play, 21-yard scoring drive for Jacksonville to go up 7-0. It was a classic Lloyd interception, one Jags fans have seen plenty of times this year. In fact, Lloyd’s five picks this season are tied for second overall across the entire NFL.
What once was a sort of hapless player, seemingly lost across the defensive space, has turned into a potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Lloyd tied the team lead in tackles with eight and was the fifth-highest rated player on the Jags, according to PFF, with a 77.1 grade.
Suffice to say, Lloyd should be in the Pro Bowl. Vote for him.
Jakobi Meyers
The second player the Jags are going to have to grapple with paying this offseason is Jakobi Meyers, who also raised his stock after yet another solid showing.
Since joining the Jags, Meyers has completely changed the look of the Jaguar offense for the better. By the recent standard set by Meyers’ production, he had a bit of a “slow” day, hauling in just four passes for 39 yards and a score. He did have 10 targets and one rain-impacted drop, but it was still a solid game nonetheless. He was also key on a couple of wide receiver handoffs that the Jags love calling to pick up short yardage downs.
Since joining the Jags, Meyers has 2 catches, over 260 yards, and three scores. His connection with Trevor Lawrence is undeniable and he has given the offense a boost that is almost hard to describe. His simple presence has elevated this team and has surely been a catalyst for setting up the playoff run.
He will be an unrestricted free agent after this year. It would be hard to imagine this front office allows him to not wear a Jags jersey for years to come after this.
Tim Patrick
Have a day, Tim Patrick.
While certainly not high up the pecking order of WRs in Jacksonville, Patrick found his connection with Lawrence on Sunday. He was second on the team in receiving with 78 yards on five catches. He was also the recipient of maybe Lawrence’s best throw as a Jaguar. Patrick even caught a touchdown right before halftime, much to his sister’s delight, I’m sure.
Patrick was solid against the Colts and yet another piece that worked on offense to just crush the Indy defense. Is he in the future plans for Jacksonville’s offense? Maybe not. But he clearly has the trust of the coaches and Lawrence.
Travis Etienne
Courtesy of a strong day by the offensive line, running back Travis Etienne stacked another good performance. Etienne scored twice and finished with 74 yards on 20 carries.
Etienne, much like Lloyd, has had quite the career resurgence since this new staff took over. He is well over 1,000 all-purpose yards this season and less than 100 yards from 1,000 yards rushing. He also has nine total touchdowns.
I suppose with the above guys set up to get paid big bucks, maybe someone like Etienne is the odd man out. I hope that will not be the case. Etienne has been a large part of this offense this year and the Jags are certainly not worse when he is out there.
Brian Thomas Jr.
The official “BTJ is back” party is here. Let us rejoice.
Thomas led the Jags in receiving with 87 yards on three catches. His one-handed catch was a thing of beauty.
Anything bad that has ever been said about Thomas has officially been wiped clean with that performance. And he was doing it all in the rain, no less! Whatever voodoo magic happened over that bye week will go down in Jaguar lore for decades to come. It did a lot of things, one of which seems to be fixing up Thomas for the better.
Josh Hines-Allen
Speaking of wiping clean any ill comments towards players, it’s now time to talk about Josh Hines-Allen. This guy is on a heater.
Hines-Allen had yet another sack on Sunday, resulting in a safety. He now has seven total sacks and at least one sack in all five wins over the past six games.
I was critical of Hines-Allen before this streak, saying his production, or lack thereof, directly correlated to the Jags winning. The team needs him to be great. With Travon Walker back, along with Arik Armstead, Hines-Allen is free to wreak havoc again like the good ol’ days. Again, that bye week voodoo magic worked. I, for one, am far happier talking about JHA in a positive light than a negative one. He certainly is talking positively nowadays.
The Offensive Line
Hats off to the offensive line for the Jags yet again! Who would’ve thought we’d be saying that multiple times this year?
Sunday was the second straight week with zero sacks allowed and I don’t really recall a time where Lawrence was ever in too much danger at all of being sacked, or even hit.
With Cole Van Lanen stepping up to start at left tackle in the place of Walker Little, the line didn’t miss a beat. Remember those PFF grades mentioned earlier? Van Lanen was the third-highest-ranked player on the team with a 79.5 PFF grade.
The line allowed Etienne to get a decent run game going and kept Lawrence upright. Not much more you can ask, especially with the injuries and the guys coming back. At best, you could have hoped for an average offensive line before the year started. I think this unit is hitting that benchmark consistently in recent weeks.
The Coaching Staff
Head coach Liam Coen and staff deserve a lot of credit.
Postgame, Coen talked about the chip this team has on its shoulders due to a perceived (correctly) lack of national respect. Coen has been able to use that chip and propel this team to heights that, frankly, they maybe shouldn’t be reaching– see the offensive line.
Etienne said postgame that Coen embraces the challenge and it trickles down to the entire team. I’ve been critical of Coen for a perceived lack of preparedness on the field, but at least emotionally, this team is ready to fight anyone (looking at you, Logan Cooke).
There is a bit of a trap game coming up against the Jets, which the Jags should dominate, before a huge test at Denver. All signs are pointing to Coen and the boys having the team ready.
Trevor Lawrence
Was that Lawrence’s most complete game we witnessed?
What a hell of a showing for Lawrence against a pretty solid defense, albeit missing two key starters in Sauce Gardner and DeForrest Buckner. Players missing or not, Lawrence was dealing against the Colts. He would’ve had an even better stat line if it were sunny outside.
His box score of 17-30 for 244 yards passing, two scores, and no sacks is an efficient and effective day in the office. He added 16 yards on the ground as well, zipping around for a few big pickups.
I will say it again: that pass to Patrick might be his best throw as a Jag.
Lawrence has benefited HUGELY from the Meyers trade and is now second in the NFL in success percentage since Week 10.
Keep that damn play sheet on Lawrence’s arm and we are set. He trusts his receivers despite the drop problems early in the season. You can see that pay off with games like Sunday’s.
Who knows what type of Lawrence we may see in the future? That’s always the question. But this streak he has been on the past four weeks has been one hell of a ride.
Al’s Pizza
Pizza time is back. And I couldn’t be happier.
With the Lloyd pick plus Greg Newsome’s first pick as a Jaguar, the Al’s Pizza 50% off promo has triggered once again. It has been quite some time since we could say that around here.
I already know what I will be getting for dinner on Tuesday.
LOSERS
There are no losers this week. Except maybe a few colds contracted by standing out in the rain. Time to beat the brakes off of whatever poor quarterback the Jets roll out next weekend. We already are guaranteed a winning season. Let’s not stop that train anytime soon.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
