JACKSONVILLE (Florida Sports Wire) - Go ahead, pinch yourself. If you’re 50 or over, you know what I mean.
If you’re under 50, it’s time for a reality check.
Yes, your Jacksonville Jaguars currently – and can be – a good football team this season. It is only three games into the season, and it may appear early to jump on the bandwagon of a 2-1 team that entered the season winning only four of their last 29 games.
Add to that a string of 18 consecutive losses on the road.
They met an early litmus test last week when they dominated the Los Angeles Chargers in the exquisite confines of SoFi Stadium, one of the league’s centerpieces.
Chargers’ quarterback Justin Herbert played despite a bad rib problem, and it looked like the Jags would fall into the same trap again. Start off strong and then eventually have breakdowns that would result in a lopsided loss.
However, it didn’t happen.
You got a different feeling at halftime even with the Jags holding a slim 16-7 lead at the half. Something was different, and Jags’ fans were confident. They were right, as the game turned into a 38-10 rout.
A big part of their confidence has been based on the play of second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has looked like a seasoned pro despite 20 starts, and first-year head coach Doug Pederson, who hasn’t taken long to instill a winning pedigree.
When you have watched Lawrence this season starting from the preseason, you see a more confident quarterback who is truly patient and disciplined, two qualities you didn’t see on a consistent basis last year.
In the wins over Indianapolis and Los Angeles – as well as the loss to Washington – Lawrence has been poised and creative. On numerous occasions, he has swirled around and away from the flow of plays to either pick up some yardage on his own or find some favorite targets like Christian Kirk or Zay Jones downfield.
Lawrence has had time to throw and has been sacked just twice – both in the opener against Washington - and has been relatively untouched the past two games. He has six touchdowns and just one interception so far along the way.
This is the Lawrence the Jags and the league expected to be one of the next, great mainstays, mentioned in the same breath as Tom Brady. Lawrence is not there yet, but he seems headed in that direction.
He has become the stabilizer for a franchise that has spun its wheels the past few years since the 2019 season when the Jags had a 6-10 record. Two year prior, they were in the AFC Championship game behind Blake Bortles and gave the Patriots all they could handle in a 24-20 loss.
As for Pederson, he was a coach some teams were hesitant to take another chance hiring because of a fallout with Carson Wentz. Pederson took the Eagles to their first championship that still has life in Philadelphia, but there were those who foolishly believed Nick Foles was behind the charge (Foles is a backup in Indianapolis).
Shahid Khan decided to take the chance on Pederson when Byron Leftwich, Bill O’Brien, and Jim Caldwell all appeared to be one of the public’s choices.
Pederson has brought a sense of quiet professionalism and confidence that has streakingly spread through the team and the front office. Think back to the restless state of the team and the environment a year ago and compare for yourself.
There is a good mix of some season veterans, young veterans and rising rookies that have been the perfect mesh.
There are others, but Lawrence and Pederson will lead the way.
The Jags will have another major test this Sunday when they take on the 3-0 Eagles in Philadelphia. With Pederson returning, the storylines will be easy to fill.
But, you can go into this weekend with a good feeling about this team. A complete breakdown would be shocking and troubling. A competitive battle should be expected.
You may have to pinch yourself or have another reality check Monday morning.