SI:AM on TL16, Jaguars

Sep 26, 2022, 10:34 AM

The Jags are putting last year behind them

With every passing week the NFL’s group of legitimate playoff contenders becomes a little more clear. After a second straight blowout win, this time on the road, it might be time to add the Jaguars to that group.

The Jags went to Los Angeles yesterday and handled the Chargers, 38–10, behind another strong performance from second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who completed 28 of 39 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns. After a 24–0 pasting of the Colts last week, Jacksonville is 2–1 on the season.

Anything would have been an improvement over last year’s debacle that started under Urban Meyer, but it’s a little jarring to see how quickly the Jags have turned the corner. Going on the road and beating what was supposed to be one of the premier teams in the AFC by four touchdowns is impressive (even if Justin Herbert was hampered by an injury). Doing it after notching a shutout win the week before indicates that it’s not a fluke.

Now, that isn’t to say that the Jags are a flawless Super Bowl contender. They lost to the Commanders in Week 1, 28–22, in a game where Lawrence looked more pedestrian. But they’re achieving success on both sides of the ball, as Conor Orr writes:

Trevor Lawrence throws a football like a generational player. His touchdown pass to Zay Jones in the second quarter showcased almost every reason why he was considered a perfect prospect in one split-second cut-up: mobility, decision-making and a progression scan smoother than the nozzle on a 3-D printer. Mike Caldwell, the team’s defensive coordinator, is leading one of the most efficient rush defense units in the NFL. The Chargers were held to 2.2 yards per carry, with Austin Ekeler gaining only five yards on four carries. They are currently ranked No. 1 in the NFL in opposition rush success rate at 27.8%. For perspective, five NFL teams are allowing a 50% rushing success rate or better by their opponents.

Jacksonville has gained an average of 375.7 yards per game, the sixth-best in the NFL, while holding opponents to 306.7 yards per game, which is eighth-best. Lawrence has looked more like the guy who drew Peyton Manning comparisons at Clemson than the guy who was tied for the NFL lead in interceptions last season. One reason for that is the addition of receiver Christian Kirk, who signed a four-year, $72 million deal in the offseason. He has 267 receiving yards this season (that’s an average of 89 per game), good for eighth in the NFL.

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SI:AM on TL16, Jaguars

Re: SI:AM on TL16, Jaguars

The fact that the Chargers only scored 10 points with an

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