Why Jacksonville’s Hot Start Shouldn’t Be a Surprise
In the NFL, it is more important than ever for your team to have a good start to its season to make a competitive run at the finish. The Jacksonville Jaguars are no different, having a 4-1 start to a season following a tone-setting win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week Five. The Jaguars have had a bad history with a hot start before, starting 8-3 in 2023 before losing five of their last six games to miss the playoffs. However, this team is different, with stronger leadership and an overall better roster. Their wins against recently successful franchises and a first-place standing in the division, tied with the Indianapolis Colts, should not be a surprise to anybody, as this team was built from the core for this moment.
After finishing 2024 with a 4-13 record, Jacksonville fired its head coach, Doug Pederson, and hired Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen. Coen was credited with reviving former first overall pick Baker Mayfield’s career in Tampa Bay, turning him into one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence had struggled with consistency in coaching over his first few seasons in the league, and Coen was brought in to give him some stability and confidence in his play. Although Lawrence’s season stats this year don’t make anyone jump out of their seats, his leadership and confidence at his position have vastly improved, becoming the leader of the franchise that they have been looking for. Coen was also brought in and expected to change this Jaguars offense into a dangerous unit, one that could compete without getting blown out every game. Coen has done just that, turning the Jaguars into a top 10 offense with a top five leader in rushing in Travis Etienne Jr.
The Jaguars' strong defense, currently also top 10 in the NFL, shouldn’t be a surprise considering Jacksonville’s history of being a defense-oriented team. Jacksonville brought in new defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, who was a former linebackers coach in Green Bay and Miami. His experience with linebackers has already been shown to have grand effects in Jacksonville, with linebacker Devin Lloyd leading the league with four interceptions and inserting himself early into award conversations. The Jaguars also have veterans on the defensive line, such as Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, leading this unit to new heights. It shouldn’t be a surprise that this team is successful, as they have had the roster talent for it. All they needed was the proper coaching, and the Jaguars have hit the lottery.
