Jaguars S Rayshawn Jenkins earns AFC Player of the Week honors

Safety Rayshawn Jenkins recently credited coaching for the turnaround the Jacksonville Jaguars have undergone in 2022 but he shouldn’t downplay the impact he’s had this season. After all, his walk-off pick six was a huge reason the Jags were able to defeat the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15. Coming off arguably the best game of his career, Jenkins has been named the AFC Player of the Week 15.

Against the Cowboys, the veteran safety registered 18 total tackles, two passes defensed and two interceptions, one in the third quarter and the aforementioned return for a touchdown. Following the game, he told the media that scoring what the only thing on his mind once he picked off Dak Prescott in overtime.

“I’m thinking about going to score”, Jenkins said. “It was pretty secure in my head. As soon as I saw it pop up in the air I was like yo, I gotta score right here. I mean, it’s only Dak, I like me on that one, so I caught it, it was a huge block by somebody in front of me, I don’t even know who it was. I just ended up cutting right in front of them… my hamstring’s about to pull and everything, I said I had to end that one”.

A fourth-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017, Jenkins signed a four-year deal worth $35 million with the Jags in 2021. Although he didn’t have a big impact in his first season in Jacksonville, the former Miami Hurricane has registered three interceptions, 11 passes defensed and two forced fumbles in 2022.

Rayshawn Jenkins is part of a different Jaguars team

During his exchange with reporters, Jenkins said teams can no longer afford to underestimate the Jaguars. He acknowledged that he did that back when he was with the Chargers but this is now a different group.

“You gotta respect us first and you got to come to play every time you come play us. It’s not just don’t overlook us on the schedule. I was on a different team before I know how it is when Jacksonville showed up on the schedule but it’s a new team. I feel like this was sort of a breakthrough game for us and we’re excited to keep it rolling”, Jenkins said.

Jenkins noted after the game that he was already ready to move on to the New York Jets and that’s the right approach. As big as the win over the Cowboys was, the Jags will have a tight schedule and limited time to prepare for Thursday Night Football. Based on his comments, the safety was thrilled Jacksonville got the win but there’s plenty of work left before they can celebrate.

The Jets have lost four of their last five games but the Jags can’t afford to take them lightly. Jenkins knows this, which is why he’s preparing to have another huge performance in Week 16.