Did you ever eat one thing that was so unhealthy it made your abdomen churn, and all you would do is wait to eradicate it out of your system?
Now you understand how Trevor Lawrence felt all of final season enjoying for Urban Meyer — a sick, nasty feeling in his abdomen that wasn’t fixable till the rot was gone. Now, thanks to teach Doug Pederson, that feeling has gone away for Lawrence, and the outcomes are a quarterback on the verge of being prime 5 at his place subsequent 12 months.
Lawrence has been virtually flawless because the starting of November and has the Jaguars on the verge of doing one thing no person noticed coming, which is to be a division champion in his second season. Lawrence did not do quite a bit within the rain towards the New York Jets final Thursday, however he did not should as a result of the protection shut down the Jets offense in a 16-3 victory. What he did do was deal with the ball after a fumble on his opening possession and use his legs and well timed throwing to beat Jets protection.
The Jaguars are actually one victory away from being the AFC South champions. All they should do is beat the Titans within the season finale to win the division. Pederson and Lawrence are the explanations that may occur.
The protection performed effectively towards the Jets, nevertheless it nonetheless has points. The offense, due to Lawerence and a proficient group of receivers, plus working again Travis Etienne, has the dynamic to attain a number of factors.
It’s exhausting to consider this is similar crew we noticed go winless in October. But that is what teaching and quarterback play can do to a crew.
A 12 months in the past, Lawrence got here in because the so-called savior of a moribund franchise, the passer who would give it sustainable success. But as a substitute of flashing future All-Pro potential, he languished underneath Meyer, who had no thought coach skilled males and never school rah-rah gamers.
Meyer’s sophomoric methods led to a tumultuous season, one which included the group parading out their rookie quarterback for press conferences after video games to clarify the mess. He was the face, even when he wasn’t really prepared for it, but he dealt with it with ease, a tip that he understood all the trimmings that include enjoying the place.
That’s the form of season that may derail a participant. But Lawrence went to work this 12 months with an actual teaching to workers to place it behind him, which he has completed. Sure, there was a lull in October that led some to foolishly query if he was the franchise-saving sort of quarterback, however that was misguided then and it really is now.
Lawrence will be the small-market quarterback for Jacksonville like what Patrick Mahomes is to Kansas City, what Josh Allen is to Buffalo and what Joe Burrow is to Cincinnati. Those passers give their groups sustainable success, not simply aberrational playoff seasons the place the ball bounces your method all 12 months. They are contenders so long as the quarterbacks are wholesome.
That’s what Lawrence means to the Jacksonville group. The Jaguars shall be related for the subsequent decade.
That in itself is wonderful. Relevance and Jaguars will not be two phrases that usually get mentioned collectively. The group has been a nationwide laughingstock since coming into the league. The Jaguars had some early success, however even then it wasn’t with a home-grown drafted quarterback. They traded for Mark Brunell. They failed drafting others like Byron Leftwich, Blaine Gabbert and Blake Bortles within the first spherical.
Lawrence is the primary really home-grown participant on the place who can change the trajectory of the franchise. One victory over the Titans places them within the postseason. That’s unreal, contemplating the place they have been six weeks in the past.
The Jaguars are as much as No. 13 in my Power Rankings this week. They play Houston this week after which house towards the Titans subsequent week. Even if they do not get into the playoffs this 12 months, get used to them being within the combine for a very long time. Like Mahomes, Allen and Burrow, Lawrence will try this for them.
The cleanse of Meyer’s residue was all it took. Trevor Lawrence is on his option to being a star.
Biggest Movers
Rk
Teams
Chg
Rcrd
1
Eagles
Gardner Minshew made some good performs instead of Jalen Hurts, however he additionally made some massive errors. He is a backup for a motive.
—
13-2-0
2
Bills
They proceed to play effectively as they push for the highest seed, however the sport at Cincinnati Monday will not be simple. They cannot afford to lose that if they need the playoffs to undergo Buffalo.
—
12-3-0
3
Chiefs
They did not fairly mild up the scoreboard towards Seattle, however the excellent news is the protection performed effectively. That’s progress.
—
12-3-0
4
Bengals
They proceed to surge on the proper time, however they made it fascinating at New England. That sport ought to by no means have been that shut. Now right here come the Bills.
—
11-4-0
5
49ers
They are profitable video games and will find yourself because the second seed if the Vikings stumble. Brock Purdy continues to play effectively.
—
11-4-0
6
Vikings
At 12-3, they’re pushing to be the second seed. But if the Eagles have been to stumble twice, they may find yourself with the highest seed in the event that they received out.
—
12-3-0
7
Cowboys
They discovered a method towards the Jalen Hurts-less Eagles, nevertheless it wasn’t all the time fairly for the protection. That unit needs to be higher.
—
11-4-0
8
Ravens
The protection has to hold this crew proper now, which they’re doing. They cannot get Lamar Jackson again quickly sufficient.
—
10-5-0
9
Chargers
They are going to the playoffs, the place they are going to be a troublesome out with Justin Herbert as their quarterback.
1
9-6-0
10
Dolphins
They should be involved with the best way Tua Tagovailoa is enjoying. The fourth quarter towards the Packers was a catastrophe.
1
8-7-0
11
Giants
That was a troublesome loss to the Vikings, however they confirmed effectively — particularly the offense. They have to win yet another to get into the playoffs.
—
8-6-1
12
Commanders
Taylor Heinicke did not play effectively towards the 49ers, which may imply it is time to return to Carson Wentz. They are nonetheless a playoff crew proper now.
—
7-7-1
13
Jaguars
All they should do is beat or tie the Titans in Week 18 they usually win the division. This week’s sport with the Texans means nothing.
4
7-8-0
14
Titans
They have misplaced 5 in a row, which implies they’ve misplaced maintain of first place within the division. But in the event that they beat the Jaguars in Week 18, they win the division. With Malik Willis at quarterback, that will not be simple.
1
7-8-0
15
Seahawks
They have fallen on exhausting instances, and the playoffs are slipping away. The offense allow them to down towards the Chiefs.
1
7-8-0
16
Buccaneers
They did not look good in beating the Cardinals, however have they regarded good at any time this season? They win the division by beating the Panthers on Sunday.
2
7-8-0
17
Jets
They have Mike White again this week at Seattle, which is an efficient factor. The Zach Wilson scenario may be coming to an finish.
1
7-8-0
18
Lions
Losing to the Panthers actually dampens their playoff possibilities. The run protection actually allow them to down at a foul time.
3
7-8-0
19
Packers
They are again within the playoff race. If they win the subsequent two, they may get in. That could be a heck of a resurrection.
3
7-8-0
20
Steelers
They saved their slim playoff hopes alive by rallying to beat the Raiders. That was a big-time drive by Kenny Pickett to win it.
3
7-8-0
21
Panthers
They ran their option to a much-needed victory over the Lions. If they win the subsequent two, they are going to be a playoff crew.
4
6-9-0
22
Raiders
Derek Carr had an terrible night time towards the Steelers, which begs the query as as to if he’s their long-term reply at quarterback. They can stroll away from him simply after the season.
3
6-9-0
23
Patriots
Their playoff hopes have been damage in an enormous method with the loss to the Bengals. They did present struggle to return again in that sport, however two brutal losses the previous two weeks are exhausting to beat.
3
7-8-0
24
Saints
By profitable at Cleveland within the unhealthy circumstances, they don’t seem to be lifeless but. It’s win the final two after which see what occurs.
2
6-9-0
25
Browns
They simply aren’t scoring factors with Deshaun Watson, though the climate impacted the offense towards the Saints. He has to choose it up.
4
6-9-0
26
Falcons
They are completed after shedding to the Ravens. It’s all about Desmond Ridder and his development the subsequent two weeks.
2
5-10-0
27
Cardinals
They confirmed some struggle in shedding to the Bucs, particularly on protection. But all the way down to a third-string quarterback, they’re too restricted on offense.
—
4-11-0
28
Colts
Does it matter who performs quarterback? They simply aren’t ok on offense. They want a quarterback within the worst method.
—
4-10-1
29
Rams
Baker Mayfield has completed a pleasant job along with his new crew. The Rams may need him to stay round in case Matt Stafford will get damage subsequent 12 months.
—
5-10-0
30
Bears
They confirmed towards the Bills how far they should go to get to that stage. That’s what occurs with younger groups towards groups that good.
—
3-12-0
31
Texans
They have confirmed some struggle the previous three weeks and clearly have made main strides, even upsetting the Titans on the highway. Lovie Smith has completed a pleasant job the previous month.
1
2-12-1
32
Broncos
This factor has gone method off the rails, which is why coach Nathaniel Hackett was fired. They are terrible. What’s worse, they’re caught with Russell Wilson.
1
4-11-0
