How should the Jaguars approach Sunday's game against the Texans? The Times-Union answers questions from Jags fans ahead of the Week 17 contest.
For Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson, though, regardless of what people say — to rest starters, that it's a meaningless game — he was adamant on Wednesday that there's no such thing as a meaningless game.
Not in the NFL. "There’s never a meaningless game. Never, ever, ever. You play to win every game. The only way I restplayers is if they’re hurt and can’t go," Pederson said. So, that's the route Jacksonville will take. This week, the team has a couple of guys banged up, including long snapper Ross Matisick, but unless they are physically unable to play, they'll suit up and the Jaguars will look to win and snap a nine-game losing streak to the Texans dating back to the 2017 season. With that said, let's get into some of the questions you guys sent throughout the week. Hopefully, we can provide some answers as the excitement about the team's success grows by the minute. Note: To submit questions, stay tuned to my Twitter page at @Demetrius82 or email me directly at dsharvey@gannett.com.If Walker Little plays well what do you think is more likely; Cam Robinson gets traded or they let Jawaan Taylor walk in free agency?Hi Art! I think the Jaguars have essentially already answered this question for you when they extended Robinson earlier this year. I believe the Jaguars would be better served with a situation that has Little at left tackle and Jawaan Taylor at right tackle, but no one could have foreseen Taylor's rise this year. I expected him to walk in free agency.Assuming that the Jaguars win these next two games, which team do you believe is the best matchup for the Jaguars in round one of the playoffs to advance to the divisional round?Hi JC! If the Jaguars win both games to close our their season, it will give them great momentum entering the playoffs. Still, they only have to beat the Titans to advance with a home playoff game. In any event, to answer your question, there are a few possibilities the Jaguars have in terms of facing a team in round one. They'd play host to the Baltimore Ravens or Cincinnati Bengals most likely or they could play host to the Los Angeles Chargers or Miami Dolphins — though those are more farfetched. If we go by the most-likely opponents, I think the Jaguars would much rather face off against the Ravens. Though they've already defeated the Chargers during the season, too, and soundly, it's a different Chargers team that is entering the game a bit more fired up. Whereas, I believe Jacksonville has the offense to match whatever the Ravens can do, and more because of how Baltimore's offense runs through the ground game and with Lamar Jackson. Speaking of Jackson, he's not likely to be fully healthy, whereas Justin Herbert will be. Herbert was nursing a rib injury the first time the teams played.How do we replace Dawuane Smoot? And what has been your fav away stadium so far? Thanks!Hi Dom! Thanks for writing in. The Jaguars elevated defensive lineman Jeremiah Ledbetter from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster. That will help in that department as far as inside to replace Smoot. On the outside, Jacksonville will have to rely on both first-overall pick Travon Walker and former first-round pick K'Lavon Chaisson, who is slated to receive more reps. Arden Key will be a solution, too. It'll be in-house. As far as my favorite away venue, that is a tough one. I enjoyed Arrowhead a lot, it has a nice college-like atmosphere. The Linc really feels like a classic NFL stadium and atmosphere, Nissan has by far the best sight line for the press box, and it was cool to see Ford Field because of the dome and SoFi has the best press-box food . But, I think the best overall venue has to be Arrowhead. You just simply cannot beat that atmosphere. The people in Kansas City love football perhaps more than any other fan base I've been around. That's a good and tough question.Hi Luke! If the Jaguars want to win, they will need to be cognizant of receiver Brandin Cooks. He's perhaps the most underrated receiver in the league. With Dameon Pierce on injured reserve, the Jaguars won't have to worry about the former Florida back who had a successful outing in Week 5. They'll still need to be cautious of former Jags RB Dare Ogunbowale, who is a similar type of back with great power.Whilst we still have a few games to play, we can always look at the offseason. With the team around $15 million over the cap, who do you think are going to be the guys who don't get brought back?But, this question would take a while to unpack. I'll keep it a bit brief. According to Spotrac.com, the Jaguars are set to be around $18 million over the cap with receiver Calvin Ridley added to the roster, meaning they'll have a couple of decisions to make. I think they'll have some decisions to make as far as Shaq Griffin , Roy Robertson-Harris and receiver Jamal Agnew are concerned. That's not to say they'll be cut, but those are three that stand out and maybe to keep an eye on.Zach H. from MarylandThis answer is simple. If a player is healthy, he should play. There shouldn't be any resting starters for the Jaguars. They're 7-8. Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at
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