JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens offer quick thoughts on the Jaguars as they prepare to play the Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium in a 2025 Week 3 game Sunday at 1 p.m.

John Oehser, Jaguars Senior Writer…

Long-term gain. The Jaguars enter Sunday 1-1, but if all you see when you look at them is a .500 team, look again. The Jaguars from this view are an improved team with multiple “foundation” pieces that give them a very real chance of finding footing in the coming weeks to push above .500 – and to push to be in the postseason conversation in December and January. The reshaped offensive line is playing at a high level, with the Jaguars leading the league in rushing and allowing just 1 sack. The defense has forced a league-high 6 turnovers after creating just 8 last season. The team also is playing with a toughness that indicates its buying into a new coaching staff and new identity under Head Coach Liam Coen. Yes, there have been too many dropped passes. And quarterback Trevor Lawrence must continue developing in his first season in Coen’s scheme. Many imperfections expectedly remain two regular-season weeks into a reshaped organization. But the good things going on feel like they can stay good. If they do, this team has a chance to be better than many expected before the season.
Tough it out. Welcome to Al-Shaair week. Sunday’s game marks the first meeting between these teams since last December 1, when Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair knocked Lawrence from the game with an illegal hit to the head. The play sparked a bench-clearing brawl and essentially ended Lawrence’s season, with the NFL suspending Al-Shaair three games. While Coen and Jaguars players this week understandably downplayed that play’s effect on Sunday’s game, it’s hard to imagine it being forgotten by Jaguars players who were there – and it’s hard to imagine it not being mentioned around the Miller Electric Center this week. The Texans pride themselves on being a tough, physical, hit-you-in-the-mouth team. That is the Jaguars’ desired identity Coen – and this roster has embraced that desire in notable fashion. Welcome to Al-Shaair Week.