Brian Thomas Jr. and other Jaguars who cooked in otherwise pathetic loss to Jets

The Jacksonville Jaguars had a realistic shot at beating the New York Jets in Week 15. Unfortunately, they couldn't stop shooting themselves in the foot and ended up losing 32-25. But as discouraging as the Jags were, not everything was doom and gloom.

Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was most definitely a bright spot, hauling in 10 receptions for 105 yards with two touchdowns. Add the fact that he broke a couple of team records and Jacksonville should be thrilled about the prospect of having him around for years to come.

Head coach Doug Pederson, for one, is impressed with Thomas' development, stating that he's pleased with how he's come along since being drafted 23rd overall earlier this year.

"I think Brian has grown a lot. I can remember back right after the draft, when you get him in here and start working with him and just watching that development, that growth, to where he is today as a receiver and one of the top young receivers in this league, and a big part of our offense, and a bright spot," Pederson told the media one day after the loss to the Jets. "It's been encouraging to see his growth and what he's capable of doing going back and watching him on film coming out of LSU, to today."

Pederson continued, "Some of the same things, some of the explosiveness, and we continue each week to load his plate up, and give him more opportunities and really expand his route tree just a little bit more has been good. And he embraces that."

Thomas now has 64 receptions for 956 yards with eight touchdowns and should have no trouble becoming the first rookie receiver in Jaguars history to have 1,000 receiving yards in a season. Having said that, the Louisiana native wasn't the only bright spot in the loss to the Jets. Here are three more.

Brenton Strange, tight end

The Jaguars had to place tight end Evan Engram on Injury Reserve, effectively ending his season. While losing him certainly stings, they have a more than capable replacement in Brenton Strange, who made his fifth start of the season against the Jets.

A second-round pick in last year's draft, Strange flashed earlier this season when he filled in for Engram. In Week 15, he had a chance to show that he's ready for a bigger role. The former Nittany State Lion finished the game with 11 receptions for 73 yards on 12 targets. Doug Pederson was encouraged by the sophomore's performance.

"Brenton's been a been a bright spot for us, somebody who we've always as a staff, really have had a lot of confidence in," Pederson told the media Monday. "And I think too for Brenton, it's just not matter of getting that opportunity. And now he has it, obviously, under unfortunate circumstances, but he really has just been a bright spot."

"He's done everything we've asked. He does a great job in the run game, he's physical, and then you're seeing what he can do in the pass game. Strong hands, ability to separate and get open and then break tackles. And it's what you want from your tight end."

Strange wil have a chance to continue to raise his stock in what's left of the season.

Parker Washington, wide receiver

Like Brenton Strange, Parker Washington didn't get much playing time in 2023 but did enough to make you think that he could flourish if given a chance. He got it when fellow receiver Christian Kirk suffered a collarbone injury to brought his season to an end.

Washington's numbers won't pop off the stat sheet, but he's come through for the Jaguars since replacing Kirk. Against the Jets, it was no different, with the Texas native reeling in three catches for 54 yards. Here's one where he shows his ability to make defenders miss.

Jeremiah Ledbetter, defensive tackle

In a day in which the Jaguars couldn't create pressure, defensive tackle Jeremiah Ledbetter brought Aaron Rodgers down, and to celebrate, he did a backflip.

Ledbetter was arguably the Jags' most productive defensive lineman against the Jets, playing 23 snaps while registering the aforementioned sack.

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