JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Trevor Lawrence’s slip and score touchdown delivered a message to the rest of the NFL that the Jaguars need to be taken seriously, but it didn’t change anything in Jacksonville.
“We’ve got to know that we haven’t done anything,” Lawrence said. “I mean, the only thing we’re guaranteed is that we’re going to win four games this year, which isn’t enough. So, we’ve got a lot more work to do.”
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The Jaguars shocked the Chiefs 31-28 on “Monday Night Football” to match their win total from all of last season. At 4-1 and tied wit the Colts atop the AFC South, Jacksonville has a quick recalibration for this week’s game at EverBank Stadium against Seattle (3-2). Short weeks always carry their own challenges, and this one is no different.
That’s especially true when facing a team like the Seahawks who have one of the top defensive fronts in the league. And after Sunday’s game, the Jaguars transition into prep for their annual trip to London where they’ll face the Rams in Week 7.
“I think obviously, it was quick turnaround postgame, so you didn’t get to try to enjoy that win very long. We had to move on to the next opponent, but I think now it has settled a little bit more,” said head coach Liam Coen.
“When we brought the players back in this week, it was just one kind of funky day and then we just got back right onto our normal schedule, which I think has helped all of us just take a deep breath after that game and now you’re in a normal rhythm and routine and I addressed that the London deal with them earlier.”
It’s a challenging week for a number of reasons for the Jaguars, both from a time turnaround to personnel issues.
This will be their first game without tight end Brenton Strange, who the team placed on injured reserve this week. Strange has been Jacksonville’s most reliable pass catcher this year. He’ll have to miss at least four games before he’s eligible to return. Center Robert Hainsey continues to battle a hamstring injury, which means rookie Jonah Monheim is likely to get his first start.
The secondary will have a new look after the team traded starter Tyson Campbell to the Browns for Greg Newsome II. The headlines from that trade were jarring; Campbell was drafted by the team and signed a $76.5 million contract extension in July 2024. But he seemed miscast in Anthony Campanile’s defense and has had injury issues throughout his career. On paper, Newsome should fit the scheme better. Jacksonville is planning on him seeing the field against Seattle.
“That’s the plan right now is to be able to continue to onboard him as much as we can through the next few days here, and it seems like there is maybe some carryover from some of the terms he’s used in the past,” Coen said of Newsome. “… So, definitely feel like he has an opportunity to play though.”
Lawrence is coming off perhaps his biggest regular season win since the 2022 playoff year. Jacksonville trailed Kansas City 28-24 when it got the ball back late Monday night. Lawrence has been up and down in those situations throughout his career, but he delivered big when it mattered. He had a third-down strike to Brian Thomas Jr. go for 33 yards on the final drive. And then he had the trip and fall winning touchdown run with 23 seconds left.
Lawrence called the play the “slip six,” and said the Jaguars have responded to Coen’s passion and leadership this year.
“He’s really brought a lot of energy, and I think the team has for sure taken on some of that and just the way he carries himself, and you guys see him in the locker room and on the field, on the sideline,” Lawrence said. “That passion and that energy is contagious, and our team has bought into that.”
Jacksonville’s injury list remains worrisome. Five offensive linemen popped up on the injury report this week, but only Hainsey is expected to be out. He’s listed as doubtful for the Seattle game. One area where the Jaguars should be able to thrive in against the Seahawks is the passing game. Both starting corners, Devon Witherspoon and Tariq Wooten are listed as doubtful for the game with injuries.