Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. raised eyebrows when he told reporters that All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner and the New York Jets had to prepare for him, and not the other way around. He showed he wasn't bluffing when he made several jaw-dropping games for the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to come out on top.
Thomas was arguably the most valuable player in the Jags' 32-25 loss over New York, reaching the end zone on the Jaguars' first drive of the game. Along the way, he set a new team record for receiving yards by a rookie and catches by a rookie. But as impressive as he was, the Louisiana native was just warming up, finishing the game with 10 catches for 105 yards with two touchdowns.
You gotta prepare for him.
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) December 15, 2024
RT to #ProBowlVote for @BrianThomas_11! pic.twitter.com/Hwceuw2bpr
Aside from Thomas, receiver Parker Washington and tight end Brenton Strange also stepped up. The former hauled in three catches for 53 yards and the latter had 73 yards on 11 receptions. Mac Jones also played relatively well before he threw the interception that sealed the Jags' fate.
Jones went 31-of-46 for 294 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Heading into the game, he was riding a dubious streak of five consecutive starts with no touchdowns dating back to his stint with the New England Patriots. He now has four scores for the season. The other two came when he filled in for Lawrence in the loss to the Houston Texans.
Mac Jones
— Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf) December 8, 2024
Last 5 starts - (JAX - 3, NE - 2)
W, 10-6
L, 6-52
L, 7-12
L, 7-10
L, 6-10
Look at those scores
0 TD - 8 INT
Some pretty crazy stuff
In the end, though, Jones couldn't deliver when the Jaguars needed him. One silver lining is that kicker Cam Little came up clutch for the Jaguars, nailing all of his four attempts in Week 15.
Cam Little goes 4/4 and we're all tied up!#ProBowlVote | @cameronglittle pic.twitter.com/yyixvlnTd5
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) December 15, 2024
The Jaguars' loss vs. the Jets comes with several silver linings
The Jacksonville Jaguars would've loved to come out of Week 15 with a win. Sure, they've already been eliminated from playoff contention, but no player or coach will be actively looking to lose. Having said that, the loss comes with a handful of positives.
For starters, the Jaguars will get to keep a draft pick in the top 5. Had they beaten the Jets, they could've ended up with a selection as low as No. 13, as Mia O'Brien of 1010 XL noted on Twitter.
This game is the difference between No. 6 overall pick and No. 13, btw https://t.co/NCZdYSGhdI
— Mia O'Brien (@MiaOBrienTV) December 15, 2024
Aside from the draft position, the Jaguars should be pleased with what they saw in Parker Washington and Brenton Strange, who are filling in for Christian Kirk and Evan Engram, respectively.
Both Kirk and Engram had season-ending injuries and will enter contract years in 2025. Whether they return or not, Washington and Strange proved they're more than capable replacements.
Last but not least, the loss will make it difficult for Doug Pederson to justify keeping his job. There's a strong chance that the team will move on from him at the end of the season, and the loss will increase the odds of it happening.
In the end the loss to the Jets wasn't different from others this season. The Jaguars played hard but ultimately came up short. But unlike other times, this one comes with several silver linings.