Revealed Boosts After Setbacks for the Jacksonville Jaguars

The 2025 NFL season hasn’t been without hurdles for the Jacksonville Jaguars—from a mid-season three-game losing streak to key player injuries that threatened to derail their playoff hopes. Yet, what has stood out most isn’t the setbacks themselves, but the team’s ability to turn adversity into opportunity, emerging stronger with measurable boosts in performance, team cohesion, and strategic adaptability. Revealed Boosts After Setbacks for the Jacksonville Jaguars takes a closer look at how the Jaguars transformed challenges into catalysts for growth, highlighting specific areas where they improved after tough stretches and the lessons that shaped their late-season resurgence. For a franchise aiming to establish sustained success, these post-setback boosts aren’t just short-term fixes—they’re building blocks for a more resilient, competitive team.

Revealed Boosts After Setbacks for the Jacksonville Jaguars begins with the team’s offensive turnaround following a three-game skid in October, where they scored just 17 points per game and struggled to move the ball consistently. The low point came in a 24-10 loss to the Houston Texans, where quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw two interceptions and the running game managed only 68 yards. Instead of doubling down on a failing strategy, offensive coordinator Liam Coen led a complete scheme adjustment: simplifying play calls to reduce Lawrence’s decision-making pressure, shifting to a more balanced run-pass split (55-45 instead of 40-60), and emphasizing quick, high-percentage passes to wide receiver Calvin Ridley. The results were immediate: over the next five games, the Jaguars averaged 29 points per game, Lawrence’s interception rate dropped from 3.1% to 0.9%, and Travis Etienne Jr. rushed for 100+ yards in three consecutive contests. “That losing streak forced us to be honest with ourselves,” Coen said. “We weren’t playing to our strengths, and the setback gave us the push to reset. The boost in offensive efficiency wasn’t luck—it was intentional change.”

A key boost revealed after setbacks, highlighted in Revealed Boosts After Setbacks for the Jacksonville Jaguars, is the team’s defensive improvement in stopping the run—a weakness that plagued them early in the season. Through the first eight games, the Jaguars ranked 26th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed (132 per game), with opponents exploiting gaps in their defensive line and linebacking corps. The breaking point came in a Week 8 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, where Jonathan Taylor rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell responded by restructuring the defensive front, adding an extra defensive tackle to “stack the box” on early downs and implementing a rotational system to keep linemen fresh. He also focused on tackling fundamentals, adding 15 minutes of live tackling drills to each practice. The impact was clear: over the next six games, the Jaguars dropped to 8th in rushing defense (87 yards per game), holding star running backs like Derrick Henry and Najee Harris to under 70 yards each. “Setbacks expose flaws you might overlook when you’re winning,” Caldwell said. “That loss to the Colts showed us we weren’t physical enough, and we used that as a wake-up call. The boost in run defense came from accountability and fixing the little things.”

Revealed Boosts After Setbacks for the Jacksonville Jaguars also delves into the unexpected boost in team cohesion that emerged after a late-November injury to star tight end Evan Engram, who was sidelined for three games with a knee sprain. Engram’s absence—he was leading the team in receptions (45) at the time—forced other players to step up, including rookie tight end Brenton Strange and wide receiver Christian Kirk, who shifted to slot roles to fill the gap. What could have been a major offensive blow turned into a unifying moment: players held extra voluntary workouts, Lawrence spent one-on-one time with Strange to refine their timing, and veteran leaders like Josh Allen organized team dinners to keep morale high. The result? Strange caught 18 passes for 210 yards in Engram’s absence, and the offense didn’t miss a beat, averaging 27 points per game during that stretch. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the boost in depth and camaraderie proved that they weren’t overly reliant on one player—and that collective effort could overcome individual absences. “Losing Evan was tough, but it brought us closer,” Lawrence said. “We had to trust each other more, and that trust turned into a boost we didn’t know we needed. It showed us we’re a better team when everyone contributes.”

Another significant boost revealed after setbacks, explored in Revealed Boosts After Setbacks for the Jacksonville Jaguars, is the team’s improved performance in high-pressure, fourth-quarter situations—a area where they struggled early in the season. Through the first seven games, the Jaguars were 1-4 in games decided by seven points or less, often faltering in the final minutes due to poor clock management or costly penalties. A Week 7 loss to the Tennessee Titans, where they surrendered a game-winning touchdown with 28 seconds left, prompted head coach Doug Pederson to implement “crunch-time drills” in practice: simulating final-two-minute scenarios with strict time limits, practicing penalty avoidance, and having Lawrence lead huddles to work on communication. The change paid off: over the next eight games, the Jaguars went 5-1 in one-score games, including a Week 15 win over the Colts where Lawrence led a 90-yard game-winning drive in the final 2:30. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the boost in clutch performance wasn’t just about skill—it was about mental toughness and preparation. “Setbacks teach you how to handle pressure,” Pederson said. “That loss to the Titans showed us we weren’t ready for those moments, so we practiced them until they felt routine. The boost in fourth-quarter success is a testament to the team’s willingness to learn from failure.”

Looking ahead, Revealed Boosts After Setbacks for the Jacksonville Jaguars outlines how the team plans to leverage these post-setback improvements into long-term success, rather than letting them fade. Pederson and his staff have documented the changes that worked—from the simplified offensive scheme to the crunch-time drills—and plan to integrate them into off-season training and next year’s playbook. The Jaguars are also focusing on player development, using the confidence gained from stepping up during setbacks (like Strange’s emergence) to expand roles for young talent. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the key is to view setbacks not as failures, but as opportunities to evolve. “The boosts we’ve seen after tough stretches aren’t just for this season—they’re part of building a culture that thrives on adversity,” said general manager Trent Baalke. “We’re not going to avoid setbacks in the future, but we now have a blueprint for turning them into strengths. That’s the difference between a good team and a great one.” As the Jaguars head into the playoffs, these post-setback boosts will be critical—providing the resilience and adaptability needed to compete with the NFL’s top teams.

Revealed Boosts After Setbacks for the Jacksonville Jaguars ultimately tells a story of resilience—of a team that didn’t let losses or injuries define them, but used them to grow stronger in every key area. From offensive efficiency to defensive toughness, from team cohesion to clutch performance, the Jaguars turned adversity into tangible improvements that have positioned them as legitimate playoff contenders. For fans, these boosts offer hope that the team’s success isn’t just a fluke, but the result of a willingness to learn, adapt, and work harder after failure. In the NFL, where setbacks are inevitable, the true measure of a team is how it responds—and the Jacksonville Jaguars have shown that they can turn even the toughest challenges into stepping stones toward victory. As they continue their playoff push, the boosts revealed after their setbacks will be their most valuable assets.