The Jacksonville Jaguars are entering Week 15 with plenty to play for. They're 9-4 and in a great position to make the playoffs for the first time in 2022. Similarly, the Jags are on top of the AFC South. Beating the New York Jets would allow them to keep the narrow lead they have in the division over the Houston Texans.
Meanwhile, the Gang Green is 3-10 and has already been knocked out of playoff contention. Couple that with the fact that Brady Cook will start at quarterback, and the Jaguars will have a great opportunity to keep their winning streak going.
With this in mind, here are 3 storylines to keep an eye during the Jaguars game.
Will Walker Little start at left tackle for the Jaguars?
Walker Little has struggled this season. He missed the Colts game with a concussion, and Cole Van Lanen stepped up in his absence. When you take into account that Van Lanen has played well regardless of where he lines up, it wasn't a surprise to hear Liam Coen say that he's earned the chance to start. But could he do it at left tackle?
Little cleared concussion protocol ahead of Week 15, so the Jaguars could either roll with him or Van Lanen. Nobody would bat an eye if they ride with the hot hand. Sure, Van Lanen has had a limited sample but has been the better of the two.
Will Brian Thomas Jr. build off his strong outing in the Jaguars' win vs. the Titans?
Brian Thomas Jr. took the league by storm as a rookie. Expected to build off his impressive 2024, he instead struggled early in the season. Drops plagued him, and he seeeming didn't seem like a fit in Liam Coen's scheme. Compounding the issue is that the former LSU Tiger sat out three games with an ankle sprain.
Eventually, Thomas returned. He had a quiet outing against the Titans but really took off in the Colts game, reeling in three catches for a jaw-dropping 87 yards. The Walker, Louisiana native will now have to prove it wasn't a flash on a pan but rather that's back.
If Thomas once again gets deep against the NY Jets, he'll make everyone forget his slow start to the 2025 season.
Can the Jaguars avoid a slump against the NY Jets?
The Jaguars have everything going for them against New York. They were an 11.5-point favorite early in the week. The game will be held at EverBank Stadium, and they're getting healthy at the perfect time of the season.
But can Jacksonville truly take care of business? Liam Coen's squad has won four in a row and hasn't bought into the recent hype they've had. Nothing suggests they'll rest on their laurels, but the Jets have nothing to lose and could turn out to be more of a trouble than the Jags expected.
When you take into account that the Jaguars could lose the edge they have over the Houston Texans in the division race, falling to New York in Week 14 is not an option.