Big Cat Country
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...
