The Jacksonville Jaguars enter Week One with expectations high and the pressure to deliver at home against the Carolina Panthers. Talent isn’t the issue—the roster is deep on both sides of the ball. But as Head Coach Liam Coen has stressed, winning this opener won’t come down to highlight plays alone. It will hinge on composure, rhythm, and resilience.
Staying Composed in Critical Moments
The NFL has made it clear that taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. In just one week of early-season action, Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected for spitting. While linebacker Nolan Smith was flagged for taunting. Those mistakes didn’t just cost field position; they altered momentum and changed the tone of the game.
Coen doesn’t want his team to make the same mistakes. In a September 5th team meeting, he explained how Jacksonville reviews clips from around the league in what he calls their “situational master meeting.”
“It’s an opportunity whether it’s college, pro, high school—if it’s anything we’re showing it—that could come up to potentially educate our guys,” Coen said.
That education matters. For Jacksonville, composure isn’t just about avoiding penalties—it’s about keeping focus when emotions run high. A 15-yard flag in a one-score game can swing momentum, especially in Week 1 when every possession carries weight. The Jaguars will need to play with controlled aggression, trusting their preparation and refusing to give the Panthers free yards or extra chances.
Keeping composed is important when adversity strikes. Whether it’s a questionable call, a turnover, or a defensive breakdown, the Jaguars must maintain discipline. The NFL season opener doesn’t leave room for sloppy mistakes, and Jacksonville’s maturity will be on display from the opening kickoff.
Starting Fast, Responding Faster
The Jaguars’ offense can score points quickly, and nothing energizes a home crowd like an early touchdown drive. For Trevor Lawrence, that means connecting on quick completions to build rhythm and confidence. For the offensive line, it means controlling the trenches early, giving Lawrence the time to execute and the run game the space to establish balance.
But Coen has reminded his players that fast starts are only half the battle. The true test will come when things don’t go according to plan.
“It’s going to be more about our response and how we respond to, if we don’t go down the field and score on the first drive, what does that look like?” Coen said. “That’s the difference for us in this game.”
Every NFL game is a series of momentum swings, and Jacksonville’s ability to steady itself after setbacks could determine the outcome. A stalled drive or defensive slip-up doesn’t have to define the game—what matters is how quickly the Jaguars regroup.
That was evident in the preseason against New Orleans, where an early burst provided confidence, but sustaining momentum was the real challenge. Coen wants his players ready for both scenarios: to start fast, but also to keep composure when the first punch doesn’t land.
If Jacksonville can combine discipline, rhythm, and resilience, it’ll put the Jaguars in a position to beat the Panthers. They’ll also lay the foundation for a season defined by maturity and consistency.
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