The Jacksonville Jaguars opened the 2025 season on the right note, defeating the Carolina Panthers 26-10 in their home opener. While the victory marked an encouraging start under head coach Liam Coen, the team wasted no time shifting its attention to what comes next.
“Now you’re on to the next one,” Coen said Monday.
His words reflected the tone in the locker room. For the Jaguars, one win provides momentum, but it does not define the season. The collective mindset emphasizes growth, consistency, and preparation for the weeks ahead.
Players Stress Need for Consistency
Veteran leaders quickly echoed Coen’s message, making it clear that Sunday’s performance left room for improvement. Defensive end Dawuane Smoot highlighted both positives and areas that require attention.
“We know we didn’t play a perfect game, and we understand where we have to go,” Smoot explained Monday. “We understand there’s more to get. We’re focused. It was a great win, but we understand there were a lot of things we didn’t do well as well as things we did do well.”
That perspective underscored Jacksonville’s intent to avoid complacency. Center Robert Hainsey stressed the importance of approaching each week with the same urgency.
“It’s a great start. You come back today, learn from it, and as soon as tomorrow happens, it’s pretty much gone,” Hainsey said Monday. “We’re back to trying to be 1-0 this week. You take what you can from the game, but you start back over 17 times and try to keep building.”
For a team with postseason aspirations, the emphasis is clear: focus on the process, not the scoreboard.
Week Two Challenge: Road Trip to Cincinnati
The Jaguars’ next challenge comes on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Cincinnati also started 1-0, edging out the Cleveland Browns 17-16 in their opener. Despite the win, the Bengals’ offense struggled significantly. Quarterback Joe Burrow and company managed only seven yards of total offense in the second half, with five of their six possessions ending in three-and-outs.
That lack of production presents a potential opportunity for Jacksonville’s defense. The Jaguars lead the all-time series 13-12, though Cincinnati has won three of the last five matchups. Applying pressure on Burrow and forcing quick possessions could tilt the game in Jacksonville’s favor.
Offensively, the Jaguars must continue the physical, balanced approach they carried into week one. Against Carolina, Jacksonville established rhythm and control, something they will need again against a Bengals defense that proved opportunistic in Cleveland. Defensive backs DJ Turner and Jordan Battle came up with two interceptions in the second half, while the front generated two sacks to disrupt the Browns’ flow.
Building Momentum Beyond Week One
The win over Carolina validated Jacksonville’s preparation, but the team’s focus has already shifted. Coen’s message and the players’ response underline a bigger goal: stacking wins, one week at a time.
With Cincinnati looming, the Jaguars have an immediate test of their discipline and attention to detail. If Jacksonville can pair its Week One physicality with sharper execution, a 2-0 start is within reach.
For now, the Jaguars are united in their approach: celebrate briefly, correct quickly, and keep building forward.
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