Jacksonville

Jaguars

Back after a one-game absence with a hip injury, Washington was third in Jags wide receiver yards after Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr. That is going to be the case more weeks than not, though Washington also dents Meyers and BTJ’s upside. Despite his real life value in this ascending offense, Washington won’t be pushing for WR4 value for the final few weeks of the fantasy playoffs.

A disappointing box score on a day where the Jags produced 48 points, 330 yards net passing, and five aerial touchdowns. Strange could only watch as Trevor Lawrence kept finding running backs for passing scores. Strange had been operating as a high-floor TE1 since his Week 12 but ceiling has proven elusive. It figures to remain so for Week 16 against the Broncos’ elite pass defense in Denver, keeping Strange somewhere in the TE10-14 range.

This was Thomas’ second straight “pretty good” game, though “pretty good” was not what fantasy managers were signing up for in the second round. Astoundingly, his four catches were his most since Week 6. We are getting signs of life from one of the season’s biggest fantasy disappointments, but not performances that say he needs to be jammed back into your WR2 spot. That is especially true for tough matchups like next week’s date with the Broncos in Denver.

Meyers led the Jags’ receiver corps in receiving but not their skill corps, as Travis Etienne somehow turned his three catches into 3/73/3. Meyers’ 71 yards were his second most as a Jag. Good stuff, if maybe a bit disappointing on an afternoon where Jacksonville erupted for 48 points. Somehow, four of Trevor Lawrence’s five passing scores went to running backs. 5/71 is close to both Meyers’ weekly floor and ceiling. That makes him a perfectly fine WR3, but not much more as fantasy managers go upside hunting during the playoffs. The Broncos are a brutal Week 16 matchup for the Jags’ pass catchers.

Tuten’s touchdown reception put the Jags up 21-7 in the second quarter. It was also a bit of a red herring, as it ended up being his only target on an afternoon where Travis Etienne somehow stacked up three receiving scores. Etienne is remaining inefficient on the ground, but Tuten is no longer pushing him as a potential 1B option, totaling just four touches over the past two weeks. Tuten might be needed for more work in Week 16 against the Broncos as the Jags try to circumvent their elite pass defense by handing the ball off, but he’s lost all RB3/FLEX benefit of the doubt in fantasy leagues.

You wouldn’t have expected the first three-score game of Etienne’s career to feature zero on the ground, but that’s what happened on Sunday in Jacksonville. This was somehow after Bhayshul Tuten notched the Jags backfield’s first receiving score, and after they already led 24-10 in the dying moments of the second quarter. Etienne then found the end zone from 20, eight and 45 yards out, with the 45-yarder a screen where Etienne found the sideline. The 20-yarder was a Trevor Lawrence dime at the goal line. Although he’s been providing better fantasy returns of late, Etienne has bettered 4.0 yards per carry just one time in seven games since the Jags’ bye week. The offense’s recent improvement will be put to the toughest of tests in a Week 16 road trip to Denver. Etienne will remain a usage-based RB2 for that one.

It goes without saying that the first five-score day through the air of Lawrence’s career was also his first six-touchdown outing. Leveling up seemingly every week over the past month, Lawrence had his most emphatic improvement yet against the Jets’ bottom-basement defense. Directing the ball to whomever was open, Lawrence found four players for at least 50-plus receiving yards, and six for 20-plus. Travis Etienne led the way, with all three of his receptions ending up in the end zone, including a 45-yarder on a screen. Lawrence’s most impressive plays were improvisations, including his 15-yard rushing score. The most impressive pass was a 33-yard, non-scoring fadeaway jumper to Parker Washington. There was a scary moment in the first half where Lawrence banged his passing hand, but he never missed a snap and seemingly never missed a throw. Lawrence’s hot streak will be put to the toughest of Week 16 tests as the Jags venture on the road to Denver. Despite his hot play, he will remain outside the top 12 for that one.

This will be Little’s second straight absence with a concussion. Concerning, though we would imagine he will be back on Trevor Lawrence’s blindside for Week 16.

Jaguars head coach Liam Coen referred to Lawrence’s ankle injury as “nothing really,” adding that Lawrence is “fine.” The Jaguars’ quarterback practiced fully on Thursday and Friday, so we believe Coen. Lawrence is on the QB1/2 borderline for his Week 15 game against the Jets.

Washington upgraded to full participation on Friday, but remains questionable to play. That is unfortunate. Regardless of whether Washington plays, WR Jakobi Meyers will likely continue operating as the team’s top target earner. Washington would be a volatile FLEX option if he is active.