Can the Jaguars Win a Second Consecutive AFC South Division Title?

JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars as they prepare to play the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville Sunday at 1 p.m.

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

1. Time to see it. It’s difficult, frankly, to analyze these Jaguars right now. They have lost four consecutive games and are coming off their most uninspired loss of the season – and if one thought stands out as they prepare for a critical Week 17 game Sunday, it’s that there’s little more for this team to say. That thought resonated in the postgame locker room after a 30-12 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past Sunday as players and coaches struggled to vocalize their frustration over the season’s worst performance. Players and coaches this week have correctly spoken of an opportunity still at hand. They lead the AFC South – and can win a second consecutive division title with a victory Sunday and one in the regular-season finale at the Tennessee Titans. They also could clinch the South Sunday if they win and both the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans lose. Players and coaches also this week spoke of eliminating mistakes and playing with urgency. All those words are true. But the reality is the time for talk for this team is past. Do they have urgency? Do they have the pride of which Head Coach Doug Pederson spoke after Sunday’s loss? If so, it’s time to see it.
2. It’s still about them. If there has been a theme for this Jaguars season, it’s that when they have struggled it has been about their own play more than their opponents. Self-inflicted mistakes indeed continue to define this season – and nothing illustrates that more than a minus-three turnover differential despite again being one of the NFL’s best defenses at forcing turnovers. The Jaguars remain tied for the NFL lead with 25 takeaways, but their 28 giveaways rank fourth in the NFL. They have…