JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville Jaguars coach Liam Cohen doesn’t want outside respect.
He prefers the role of underdog, avoids “rat poison” and is able to find a way to make his subordinates “a little (tickle)”.
This past month has been perfect. with cap 36-19 win over Indianapolis On Sunday, the Jaguars (9-4) won their fourth straight game and five of six to clinch the AFC South. It might be better if you didn’t Biggest collapse in franchise historyin last month’s 36-29 debacle in Houston, Jacksonville led by 19 points in the fourth quarter.
But Cohen believes the heartbreaking loss to the Texans was “good for us.” It could ultimately be a turning point for a team that has found its identity on both sides of the ball, continues to build confidence and rack up wins.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever really get (respect),” Cohen said. “That’s the beauty of this piece. It’s not coming. You get that, but it’s not. And that’s the beauty of this piece. And that’s totally fine.”
Small-market Jacksonville has reached double-digit wins just once in the past 18 seasons, but has a chance to grab the No. 10 spot when it hosts the New York Jets (3-10) on Sunday. The Jaguars opened as a 12.5-point favorite to win, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. This is the first time since 2007 that they have been chosen as such heavy favorites.
But players and coaches would rather do the opposite.
“We all feel like we’re a really good team, but we probably don’t get the credit we deserve,” quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. “Everyone’s talking about other teams. Even in our division, it’s all the other teams that win their division and do all these things, and no one cares about the Jags. That’s fine.”
“It’s just what it is and we’re going to use it as a chip on our shoulder and keep playing. It doesn’t really matter.”
That’s what Cohen wants. Around the facility last week, televisions were showing the division standings with headlines and quotes talking about the Colts and Texans. Missing: Something positive about the Jaguars, who currently sit alone in first place in the AFC South.
“I feel like no one likes us but us,” running back Travis Etienne said. “I feel like being in this organization is like being in this organization for a long time, because this organization has been like that for a long time. We’re not going to get any respect. We just don’t care. … Nobody’s going to paint us as guys who are going to win everything. We’ve got to go out there and embrace it. I love that. Coach Cohen works on that and gives us that edge. He’s a great motivator.”
what is working
Lawrence completed three passes of 30 yards or more against the Colts, including two to Brian Thomas Jr. It was the result of weeks spent getting Lawrence to trust receivers who had struggled with reads and drops.
“Attack every blade of grass is ultimately what we want to achieve,” Cohen said. “A big part of this game is being able to stretch people vertically.”
things that need help
There is no question that penalties and dropped passes are the team’s biggest weakness, and it has been throughout the season. The Jaguars were flagged eight times for 64 yards against the Colts and also dropped two passes. Jacksonville leads the league in penalties with 112.
stock up
Linebacker Devin Lloyd recorded his AFC-leading fifth interception. He picked off Daniel Jones’ first pass of the game, giving the Jaguars a short field and setting the tone. Lloyd had eight tackles and two QB hits. He has six total points this season, including a fumble recovery.
Out of stock
Rookie running back Beishl Tuten had two fumbles on nine snaps against the Colts. He lost the ball on a kickoff return in the first quarter, and although teammate B.J. Green recovered, he was diagnosed with a concussion and was cleared to return. He then lost a fumble on the second playback, but the offense couldn’t play another first down.
injury
WR Parker Washington (hip), S Andrew Wingard (concussion), and LT Walker Little (concussion) were inactive against Indy but could return this week against the Jets. The Jaguars had two defensive linemen, Travon Walker and Arik Armstead, playing with padded clubs in their left hands.
key number
6 — Number of times Jacksonville won 10 or more regular season games. The Jaguars have a chance to win seven games against the Jets.
next step
The Jaguars won’t start considering a playoff scenario right away, but it’s a possibility.
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