JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Brian Thomas Jr. had been wanting on the data for weeks, perhaps even months.
HT Picture
He knew the precise numbers he was chasing, and as soon as Jacksonville was eradicated from playoff competition, the first-round draft decide from LSU actually began to concentrate to them as he crept nearer and nearer.
He topped each Sunday, offering the Jaguars a constructive signal for the long run amid one other dismal season.
Thomas caught 10 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns in a 32-25 loss to the New York Jets, breaking two franchise data that had stood for a decade or extra. He handed Justin Blackmon for many receiving yards by a rookie and Allen Hurns for many receiving TDs by a rookie.
“Just being the best I can be,” Thomas stated. “You know the goal is to be as good as a team. It’s not really about personal accomplishments. You always want to be the best you can be as a team, and the personal accomplishments will come with it.”
Thomas scored on Jacksonville’s first possession to break Hurns’ mark and gave the ball to his mother in the stands. He added a second score early in the fourth quarter, a 19-yarder that put the Jags up 22-17. Jacksonville’s defense faltered from there, failing to cover Davante Adams on two game-changing plays.
Although Adams and quarterback Aaron Rodgers were the stars of the game, Thomas’ performance was a notable footnote. He now has 64 catches for 956 yards and eight touchdowns. He also tied Blackmon’s franchise rookie record for receptions.
“He’s had a heck of a season for a rookie receiver, and not only here in Jacksonville, but in the NFL,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson stated. “I think there’s more as he continues to grow and learn. He can get better. But I’ll tell you this: He’s a good, humble kid that does work hard. And he has been a very, very big bright spot for our offense all season.”
He’s actually been the lone vibrant spot and a transparent constructing block for 2025, even when it features a new basic supervisor and/or a brand new head coach.
“As the season progressed, you can see that he can handle more information,” Pederson stated. “He can handle more responsibility. And each week we keep finding ways to load him up and he answers. That’s what you want from your top receiver.” What’s working
The script labored to perfection for a change. The Jaguars ended a streak of 18 consecutive video games with no landing on their opening drive when Thomas hauled in a 3-yard catch from Mac Jones. It was the form of the stout begin that has principally eluded Jacksonville for extra a yr. What wants assist
Jacksonville had no constant cross rush towards the Jets. Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker mixed for 4 tackles and didn’t get shut sufficient to Rodgers to even say good day. Veteran defensive deal with Jeremiah Ledbetter notched the protection’s solely sack and carried out a backflip afterward. Top off
Second-year professional Brenton Unusual caught 11 passes for 73 yards — each profession highs. It was a breakout efficiency for the 2023 second-round draft decide from Penn State. Unusual stepped in for veteran Evan Engram , who was positioned on injured reserve final week, and confirmed he could be a viable choice on the place if the Jaguars determined to maneuver on from Engram in 2025. Inventory down
Working again Tank Bigsby fumbled for the third time this season and dropped the one cross thrown his approach. Bigsby’s arms have been a priority because the staff drafted him within the third spherical in 2023. He has fumbled 5 instances in two seasons and has simply six catches on 13 targets. Accidents
LT Walker Little left the sport briefly with a left ankle harm however was capable of return. Key quantity
4 — Jacksonville’s present spot within the 2025 NFL draft coming into Monday. If it holds, the Jaguars would have a top-five decide for the ninth time in proprietor Shad Khan’s 14 seasons. Subsequent steps
The Jaguars play at Las Vegas on Sunday.
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