The Jacksonville Jaguars have played four games in the 2023 NFL season, and their record stands at 2-2. They are currently third in the AFC South division, behind the Tennessee Titans (3-1) and the Indianapolis Colts (2-1-1). The Jaguars have shown some flashes of brilliance, but also some areas of concern, as they prepare to face the Buffalo Bills in London on Sunday.
The Good
The Jaguars have been impressive on offense, averaging 20 points and 329.3 yards per game. Their quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, has thrown for 1,086 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions, with a passer rating of 91.4. He has also rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown. Lawrence has shown great poise and leadership in his second year, leading the Jaguars to two comeback wins against the Houston Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Jaguars have also found a reliable running back in Tank Bigsby, who was drafted in the third round this year. Bigsby has rushed for 312 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He has also caught 11 passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. Bigsby has provided a spark to the Jaguars’ running game, which was lacking last year after they traded James Robinson to the New York Jets.
The Jaguars’ defense has been solid, allowing 20.5 points and 333 yards per game. They have forced five turnovers and recorded nine sacks. Their defensive line has been dominant, led by Josh Allen, who has four sacks and two forced fumbles. Allen has been named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for September. The Jaguars’ secondary has also been improved, with Antonio Johnson and Erick Hallett making some big plays.
The Bad
The Jaguars have also had some issues on both sides of the ball, which have cost them some games. Their offensive line has been inconsistent, allowing 12 sacks and failing to create enough holes for the running game at times. Their wide receivers have also been underwhelming, with no one having more than 200 yards or two touchdowns. The Jaguars’ leading receiver is Parker Washington, who has 16 catches for 198 yards and a touchdown.
The Jaguars’ defense has also been vulnerable to big plays, especially in the passing game. They have allowed eight touchdowns through the air, and given up an average of 7.8 yards per pass attempt. They have also struggled to stop the run, allowing 4.6 yards per carry. The Jaguars’ linebackers have been exposed in coverage and missed some tackles, while their safeties have been out of position at times.
The Outlook
The Jaguars have a tough schedule ahead of them, as they face some of the best teams in the league. They will play two games in London against the Atlanta Falcons and the Buffalo Bills, who are both leading their divisions. They will then return to face the Indianapolis Colts at home, followed by two road games against the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Jaguars will need to improve their consistency and execution on both sides of the ball if they want to compete for a playoff spot. They will also need to stay healthy and avoid any major injuries. The Jaguars have some talent and potential, but they will need to prove themselves against some of the elite teams in the NFL.
Some of the key players on the Jacksonville Jaguars are:
- Trevor Lawrence, the quarterback, who has thrown for 1,086 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions, with a passer rating of 91.4.
- Travis Etienne, the running back, who was drafted in the first round this year and has rushed for 312 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
- Calvin Ridley, the wide receiver, who was acquired from the Atlanta Falcons in a trade and has 16 catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns.
- Josh Allen, the defensive end, who has four sacks and two forced fumbles and was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for September.
- Antonio Johnson, the cornerback, who has two interceptions and six pass deflections
Trevor Lawrence has improved since last year in several aspects of his game, according to various sources. Some of the improvements are:
- He has increased his passer rating from 71.8 in 2022 to 91.4 in 2023, which is a record-breaking improvement of 23.3 points.
- He has improved his completion percentage from 57.1% in 2022 to 66.3% in 2023, and reduced his interceptions from 12 to 8.
- He has developed better chemistry with his pass-catchers, especially Calvin Ridley, who was acquired from the Atlanta Falcons in a trade.
- He has learned how to maneuver in the pocket more often, and secure his throwing base, which enhances his velocity and accuracy.
- He has benefited from the coaching of Doug Pederson, who has helped him grow as a leader and a communicator.
These are some of the ways that Trevor Lawrence has improved since last year, and he is expected to continue to improve as he enters his third season in the NFL.
Jacksonville Jaguars Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence is an American football quarterback who plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He was born on October 6, 1999 in Knoxville, Tennessee, and grew up in Cartersville, Georgia. He has an older brother named Chase and a younger sister named Olivia. He is married to Marissa Layne Mowry, whom he started dating in 2016 and got engaged to in 20201.
Lawrence started playing football when he was seven years old, and showed exceptional talent as a quarterback. He played for the Canterbury Bulldogs’ youth team and then for Cartersville High School, where he led the Purple Hurricanes to 41 straight victories and two state championships. He also played basketball in high school. He broke the Georgia state record for passing yards and touchdowns, which were previously held by Deshaun Watson, who also played for Clemson University.
Lawrence was a five-star recruit who was regarded as one of the best high school quarterback prospects of all time. He committed to Clemson University in 2016, and played for the Clemson Tigers from 2018 to 2020. He won the 2019 National Championship Game as a freshman, and was named the CFP National Championship Offensive MVP. He also won several other awards and honors, such as the ACC Athlete of the Year, the ACC Player of the Year, and the First-team All-American. He set the Clemson record for career quarterback wins, with only two losses in his college career.
Lawrence was selected first overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2021 NFL Draft, becoming the first player from Clemson to be drafted first overall. He had a breakout season in 2022, when he led the Jaguars to their first division title and playoff win since 2017. He was named to the Pro Bowl and broke several rookie records. He has improved his passing accuracy, chemistry with his receivers, pocket presence, and leadership skills since his rookie year
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ record against their division rivals, the Indianapolis Colts, the Tennessee Titans, and the Houston Texans, is 2-2 as of October 5, 2023. They have played each of these teams once so far this season, and they will play them again in the second half of the season. Here is a breakdown of their results:
- The Jaguars beat the Colts 31-14 in Week 1 at Indianapolis. They had a strong performance from Trevor Lawrence, who threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns. They also had a balanced running attack, with Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne combining for 142 yards and a touchdown. The Jaguars’ defense held the Colts to 248 total yards and forced two turnovers.
- The Jaguars lost to the Titans 27-24 in Week 3 at Jacksonville. They had a close game that came down to the wire, but they could not stop Derrick Henry, who ran for 182 yards and two touchdowns. The Jaguars’ offense was productive, with Lawrence throwing for 312 yards and two touchdowns, and Ridley catching nine passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. However, they also had two costly turnovers that led to 10 points for the Titans.
- The Jaguars beat the Texans 34-13 in Week 4 at Houston. They dominated the game from start to finish, as they outgained the Texans 427 to 213 in total yards. The Jaguars’ defense was outstanding, as they sacked CJ Stroud six times and intercepted him twice. The Jaguars’ offense was efficient, as Lawrence completed 18 of 22 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns, and Bigsby ran for 101 yards and a touchdown.
- The Jaguars lost to the Colts 24-17 in Week 6 at Jacksonville. They had a tough game after returning from London, where they played two games in a row. The Colts were well-rested and prepared, as they had a bye week before facing the Jaguars. The Colts’ defense limited the Jaguars’ offense to 289 total yards and forced three turnovers. The Colts’ offense was led by Richardson, who threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns, and Jonathan Taylor, who ran for 87 yards and a touchdown.
These are the results of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ games against their division rivals so far this season. They will have another chance to face them in Weeks 10, 12, and 15.
