Trevor Lawrence entered the 2023 campaign as the clear top quarterback in the AFC South. It might not be such an obvious argument moving forward.
C.J. Stroud has been a sensation in Houston, again displaying masterful pocket manipulation and accuracy Sunday against Jacksonville. Lawrence and the Jaguars made enough plays to escape with a 24-21 win, but if Week 12 was any indication, we could see an array of entertaining games from the two clubs in the future.
When questioned about a possible long-term rivalry, Lawrence jokingly stated that he would prefer his division opponents to be bad.
“I want teams in our division to be as bad as possible,” he said, chuckling, via the team’s official website. “That’s how I see it. The way they’re playing, it’s exciting, yes. There’s gonna be some, I’m sure, great matchups down the road. And C.J. is playing lights out. He’s doing a great job. To be a rookie and to play how he is, I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I know how hard it is. I’ve been in that position. He’s doing a great job and it’s going to be fun for years to come, hopefully. But no, I wouldn’t prefer that. I’d prefer if the guys in our division didn’t have good quarterbacks. It would be better for us.”
Lawrence is correct. The lesser the opposition faced each year to reach the postseason, the higher the likelihood of securing a Lombardi by year-end. The New England team profited from competing against a languishing AFC East for many years during their reign.
Sadly for Jacksonville, it seems their opportunity to play against subpar quarterbacks has already ended. Stroud has been exceptional, and his key qualities – such as pocket presence, accuracy, and intelligence – suggest that his success isn’t simply due to beginner’s luck. His performances are replicable.
It’s not just Stroud the Jags might have to deal with in the division. Anthony Richardson flashed extreme upside in limited action in Indianapolis this season and would be a force if he remains healthy. In Tennessee, Will Levis showed promise with a big arm and willingness to stand under pressure.
Jacksonville is in a fortunate position as the rest of the division is still assessing their rookie quarterbacks, while the Jaguars are confident in their strong choice, Lawrence. Following a season-high record of 364 passing yards from Lawrence in their recent victory, it’s clear that Jacksonville has the potential to remain competitive until late January. However, this will depend on their ability to maintain consistent performance across the board as the season continues.
