Big Cat Country
At least we have Brian Thomas Jr.
Another one-score game, another one-score loss for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Sunday’s 32-25 defeat at the hands of the visiting New York Jets was yet another iteration of the Jags losing a game that could have swung their way. In fact, it was the eighth such loss in games decided by a touchdown or less for Jacksonville this season.
Despite a record-setting day by potential Pro Bowler Brian Thomas Jr., the Jags couldn’t get out of their own way and stumbled yet again.
This winners and losers segment is almost getting too repetitive at this point.
WINNERS
Brian Thomas Jr.
Rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is putting up numbers the NFL has hardly ever seen. And he has done so with a hurt Trevor Lawrence and now Mac Jones throwing him the ball.
Thomas now owns Jacksonville’s single-season rookie receiving record after a 10-catch, 105-yard day that also saw him score twice.
The LSU rookie is up to 64 catches for 956 yards and eight scores this year. Only five receivers in the NFL have more yards than Thomas and none of them are rookies. He also holds the NFL’s second spot for most 40-plus yard catches by a rookie since 2020 with five, including a 41-yarder on Sunday.
Despite 22 teams passing on Thomas and him not being the first receiver taken in the draft, it is almost unanimous that he is the best rookie pass catcher in his class.
If Davante Adams had not had the day he had and the Jags would have won, the whole league would have had eyes on Thomas and his stellar afternoon. But as has been the case with good days by Thomas this year, they are not usually followed with wins thanks to those around him.
At the very least, fans and the front office alike should know the Jags have a superstar in Thomas. Not a superstar in the making but a full-blown veteran superstar in No. 7.
Brenton Strange
Having Brenton Strange on this list is well… Strange. It took a season-ending injury to Evan Engram to get Strange truly in the offensive mix which isn’t good at all. However, in his start this weekend, Strange got the job done. Strange caught a game-high 11 passes for 73 yards. Both numbers were clear career-highs for the second-year player.
There is certainly no problem in having a capable backup tight end and it seems like Strange can be that player. It does draw a bit of ire that it took a huge injury to the top guy for the offense to see that. Moving forward in Engram’s absence, maybe Strange will be a guy to pick up the slack and emerge heading into the offseason. Sunday should give everyone hope about that.
LOSERS
The Jacksonville Jaguars
There are almost too many players and choices to count that contributed to why the Jags lost to the woeful Jets on Sunday.
Here is a short list:...
