Big Cat Country
Welcome to Big Cat Country’s staff roundtable!
Today, we’re previewing Week 15’s matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets at EverBank Stadium.
Question 1: Vibes are through the roof in Duval County right now. What has you most excited about the 9-4 Jaguars?
Dillon Appleman: I’m most excited about the idea that this is just the start of the offense clicking as we near a potential playoff run. It has been a work in progress to find consistency on offense all season, but over the last two weeks, it has been terrific. That things have finally started to slow down for Trevor Lawrence in Liam Coen’s detailed offense should be exciting for fans and a little scary for potential playoff opponents.
Travis Holmes: The constant player development that can easily be seen across the roster. The team record is obviously a positive; however, I never envisioned this roster as one that was truly ready for a deep playoff run in Year 1 of a new regime. Seeing them face both the toughest and easiest parts of their schedule, while still winning 70 percent of their games, confirms to me that Liam Coen was, without question, the right hire. Downstream development can be seen in nearly every position group through Coen and Anthony Campanile’s influence – RB Travis Etienne, LB Devin Lloyd, DT Arik Armstead, and QB Trevor Lawrence. This becomes even more pronounced for depth players such as S Antonio Johnson, CB Jarrian Jones, LB Dennis Gardeck, WR Parker Washington, UDFA DL Danny Striggow, and the list goes on. Player development has rarely been in the past few decades of Jaguar football. It’s a refreshing change-up.
Gus Logue: Dillon mentioned that the offense is starting to click, and I think you could say the same about the entire team. Since Jacksonville’s Week 8 bye, Trevor Lawrence leads the NFL in passing success rate, Josh Hines-Allen leads all defenders in pressures, the defense has allowed the league’s fewest rushing yards per game (73.3) and rushing touchdowns (11), and Cam Little has made all 10 of his field goal attempts. The Jaguars have scored an AFC-high 182 points in that span with 25+ points in each game. And they’re now as healthy as they’ve been since the first month of the season. This entire team is rounding into form at the perfect time in the NFL season.
Henry Zimmer: The part of this Jags team that has me most excited is that the team has direction. There is a clear plan in place by the front office, coaching staff, and players that is visible on the field. There is connectivity between what the coaches want from their players and what the players do on the field, and the front office is noticeably working to make the team better. Been a long time since that could be said.
Question 2: What’s a matchup you’re looking forward to watching?
Dillon: The Jets don’t have much star power on their roster after...
