The Seahawks head to Jacksonville this weekend looking to bounce back from tough loss to the Buccaneers, and are facing another tough test in the 4-1 Jaguars, a team in the midst of an impressive turnaround under first-year coach Liam Coen.
To help you get ready for this week's game, we reached out to Jaguars.com senior writer John Oehser with five questions about this week's opponent:
At 4-1 after a dramatic Monday night win, the Jaguars have already matched last year's win total. What has first-year coach Liam Coen brought to the organization to lead such a big turnaround?
Oehser: Coen, the offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, has instilled a toughness and physicality to the Jaguars this season that they previously lacked. This was a team that went 3-10 in one-score games in 2024, and it has won three consecutive such games entering Sunday – 17-10 over the Houston Texans, 31-26 over the San Francisco 49ers and 31-28 over the Kansas City Chiefs this past Monday. Mental toughness was evident in all three victories. The Jaguars also have been the more physical team in most – if not all – of their games this season, a sharp contrast to recent seasons. This team believes in Coen and they believe their good. That belief – and a strong running game and turnover-centric defense – is a huge reason they're 4-1.
On a related note, what can Monday's win over a team like the Chiefs, one week after beating a tough 49ers squad, do for the Jaguars' confidence going forward?
Oehser: The Jaguars have been strikingly confident all season, particularly considering their record from a season ago. The victory over the Chiefs, particularly because they rallied from 14- and four-point deficits, should only help that. The Jaguars didn't believe they played particularly well Monday and they still beat the three-time defending AFC Champions. That has made them a motivated team and a confident one entering Sunday.
What changed on defense to go from last in the NFL in takeaways in 2024 to leading the league this year with 14 through five games?
Oehser: The Jaguars emphasize takeaways every day in practice and have become a team that strikes the ball and runs to the ball essentially on every play. They also have switched from a largely man-to-man scheme to a largely zone scheme. The back seven plays largely facing the ball, and a lot of their interceptions have stemmed from this approach.
Aside from the obvious big names, what player or players could you see being an X-factor in this game?
Oehser: Look for wide receivers Travis Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. to be critical. They're big names, but neither has scored a touchdown this season. They both played their best game of the season against the Chiefs Monday and the Jaguars need more production – and big plays – from the duo.
What matchup or matchups are you most looking forward to seeing play out on Sunday?
Oehser: The Jaguars offensive line versus the Seahawks defensive line. The Seahawks have one of the NFL's best defensive lines. The Jaguars' offensive line, after struggling in recent seasons, has emerged as one of the strongest units on this team. The Jaguars are fifth in the NFL in rushing and have allowed six sacks this season. This is one of the Jaguars' offensive lines biggest tests of the season.
The Seahawks take on the Jaguars Sunday, Oct. 12 at EverBank Stadium. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Jaguars.
Jacksonville Jaguars' Kyle Brady, right, is unable to make the catch in the end zone as Seattle Seahawks safety Reggie Tongue defends during the last seconds of the game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2000, in Jacksonville, Fla. Pass interference was called on Tongue and the ball placed on the one-yard line. The Jaguars failed to score, and the Seahawks won 28-21. (AP Photo/Peter Cosgrove)
Seattle Seahawks' Sean Dawkins (81) pulls in a pass from quarterback Jon Kitna as he is upended by Jacksonville Jaguars' Rayna Stewart (26) in the third quarter in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2000. The Seahawks won 28-21. (AP Photo/Tony Ranze)
Seattle Seahawks' Irula Mili is brought down by Jacksonville Jaguars' Jason Craft during the second quarter after catching a pass from quarterback Trent Dilfer for a gain of 41 yards, setting up the Seahawks third touchdown Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 24-15. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander is taken down by Jacksonville Jaguars' T.J. Slaughter after rushing for a gain in the third quarter Sunday, Oct. 7, 2001, in Seattle. Alexander rushed 31 times for 176 yards and two touchdowns in his second NFL career start as the Seahawks won 24-15.(AP Photo/Andy Rogers)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, right, is hit by Jacksonville Jaguars' Reggie Hayward, left, during the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville won 26-14.(AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Seattle Seahawks defender Ken Hamlin, right, knocks the ball away from Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Jimmy Smith during the second quarter, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville won 26-14.(AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Seattle Seahawksà Nate Burleson (81) in action against the Jacksonville Jaguars' Brian Iwuh (59) and Derek Cox (21) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu (51) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) during an NFL game, Oct. 11, 2009 in Seattle. The Seahawks won the game, 41-0. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks' Sidney Rice, front left, snags the ball in the end zone for a touchdown in front of Jacksonville Jaguars' Josh Evans in the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (7) scores on a keeper as Jacksonville Jaguars' Josh Evans brings him down in the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
FILE - In this Dec. 10, 2017, file photo, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Marqise Lee (11) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin, top right, and safety Earl Thomas, bottom, after a reception during the first half of an NFL football game, in Jacksonville, Fla. Thomas is putting the pressure on the Seattle Seahawks for a new contract, saying he will not participate in any team activities until his contract situation is resolved. That includes the upcoming mandatory minicamp. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton, File)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin, left, catches a pass for a 26-yard touchdown in front of Jacksonville Jaguars safety Barry Church (42) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
