Jaguars media team shares keys to Week 1 victory

JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser, senior correspondent Brian Sexton and team reporter Kainani Stevens share quick thoughts on the Jaguars as they prepare to play the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Week 1 of the 2024 season in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday at 1 p.m.

John Oehser, Jaguars senior reporter…

1. Trevor time. We’ve spent the offseason discussing a lot of topics surrounding the Jaguars’ 2024 season, but the reality remains that the key to this season — and the franchise’s future — remains the development of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is a big storyline. So is the interior of the offensive line, which needs to be better at run-blocking than it was in 2024. But Lawrence’s ability to play consistently and pick up his teammates is the No. 1 storyline, and the good news for the Jaguars is that he seemed poised to do so during what was by far the best and most consistent of his four NFL preseasons. Lawrence’s biggest concern is cutting down on turnovers. We won’t know his progress on that front until the regular season begins. But as Sunday’s regular-season kickoff approaches, there’s every reason to be optimistic about that key storyline.
2. The Big Four. While the Jaguars’ offensive line was rightfully a big storyline in the offseason and preseason, the thought here is that the Jaguars’ defensive front could be just as important in 2024. It was a strong area for the first three months of 2023, then faltered late in the season. The thought here is that it could be a top area in 2024 with four players — defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker and Arik Armstead, and nose tackle DaVon Hamilton — capable of disrupting and drawing double coverages consistently. Hines-Allen and Walker led the NFL with 27.5 sacks as a duo in 2023, and both are strong against the run. Armstead signed as a free agent with the San Francisco 49ers and is a high-end player against the run and the pass. Hamilton, hampered by a back problem last season, appeared close to the disruptive form he showed late in the 2022 training camp in 2024. This group has elite characteristics. If these hunches are correct, the Jaguars’ defense will be much better in 2024.