Evan Engram not ready to push the panic button, thinks Jaguars can rebound vs. Ravens

Tight end Evan Engram is having a productive season, and the Jacksonville Jaguars will need to continue to lean on him with wide receiver Christian Kirk currently on Injured Reserve. Coming off back-to-back losses, Engram isn't ready to throw in the towel. In fact, you'll get a blank stare from him if you happen to suggest it.

Engram met with the local media ahead of the Sunday Night Football bout against the Baltimore Ravens. When asked if it was time to press the panic button, he gave a resounding no in response, noting that he trusts the team to bounce back in the face of adversity.

"This is adversity that's what that's what life is about," Engram said. "That's what this league is about. We got the guys in here to figure it out and respond and turn this thing around. It's cool, we're sitting at 8-5, and we know we can be better so we're definitely gonna go out and try to respond and get back in the win column."

Engram later says that he and his teammates must focus on the little things if they want to avoid struggling like they have the past two games.

"Whatever we're doing, do more. Whatever we're doing for those things to happen, it's got to be better, gotta be cleaner. That starts with all the small things, conversations, double-checking things. Another conversation, doing the little things more, having the right intentions, and cleaning these things up. If there are things you don't understand, there should be no reason you don't want to still not understand Sunday," Engram said.

Although several things held back the Jaguars and ultimately played a role in the loss to the Cleveland Browns, one play in which miscommunication led to an interception caught the most attention. On said play, wide receiver Calvin Ridley was supposed to turn on a route but he didn't and Trevor Lawrence was picked off.

Lawrence showed his frustration after the play but later said that he should keep his emotions out of the field. Ridley, for his part, downplayed the exchange, holding himself accountable for not making a turn quickly enough. Offensive coordinator Press Taylors said during his media availability session that the interception was the result of not being on the same page rather than running the wrong route.

A first-round pick by the New York Giants in 2017, Engram joined the Jaguars on a one-year deal in 2022. After setting new career bests and breaking a handful of team records along the way, he got a new three-year deal worth $44 million. He's already broke the personal best for receptions he set last year and is on pace to reach the 100-catch mark with four games left in the season.

The Jagurs will need Evan Engram to show out vs. the Ravens

Evan Engram knows the Baltimore Ravens are a tough challenge to overcome, "They play with a lot of swagger. They play really tough, they push people around. And they're playing really, they have a great offense and a great defense, so they it's gonna be a challenge."

Besides cleaning up mistakes, the Jaguars will need to lean on Engram, who's taken on a bigger role with Christian Kirk likely out for the remainder of the season, having landed on Injured Reserve after undergoing core surgery. Engram was having a good season but he's been particularly productive the past two games, hauling in 20 receptions for 177 yards with three touchdowns.

As Engram noted, the Ravens' defense is second in the league in both points surrendered and total yards. Their offense also ranks fourth in points scored. Overall, they're the best team in the AFC, holding a record of 10-3 entering Sunday Night. Having said that, the Los Angeles Rams proved their vulnerable, taking things to the wire in the 37-31 overtime bout.

If the Jaguars do clean up mistakes and play like the team that was 8-3 as recently as Week 12, they'll have a chance at pulling off the upset. Also, making Evan Engram an important part of the game plan would surely help.

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