The Jaguars are fresh off back-to-back wins, and now they welcome the Seattle Seahawks to EverBank Stadium. Another Sunday, another heavyweight bout. And Liam Coen already has a plan to deal with Sam Darnold, who’s suddenly looking like a man on a mission.

While breaking down how to face Darnold, Coen didn’t shy away from giving a peek into his mindset. “I think anytime you have maybe a good plan or compete well against a player, specific player or unit, you can always use that and draw back on some of that,” Coen said.

He added that the staff will review what worked in the past, saying, “Okay, what did help affect him? Or from a DB standpoint, or what would have helped me play Justin Jefferson or these guys, you can always go back and draw on some of those experiences.” But he knows this version of Seattle is different.

“So a little-bit different probably in how Campy (Anthony Campanile) in the defense staff may look at it, but they’ll absolutely draw on that game to look at maybe how were the ways that we were able to affect them, affect the quarterback, affect the pocket, affect the receivers,” Liam Coen said. And then came the kicker: “You always want to have a little bit of idea of what worked, right? And maybe something you can go back to the well on, but he’s accurate. He’s playing off schedule a little bit more than he probably has in the past.”

Meanwhile, the Seahawks have found their rhythm. Only six teams run more, and they’re tied with the Bills for the highest run percentage in the league. Still, last week, they let Darnold air it out against the Bucs, and he delivered: 341 yards, four touchdowns, and a 135.4 passer rating. ESPN’s Seth Walder thinks they’ll double down on that plan against Jacksonville.

“The Seahawks unleash QB Sam Darnold have him throw 40 pass attempts. Yes, even against a Jaguars defense that ranks third in EPA per drop-back allowed. The Seahawks have been so much more efficient passing than running this season (.28 EPA per play to minus-0.07) and need to lean more on that part of their game,” he explained. It’s hard to argue with that logic. Still, balance is everything.

The Seahawks can’t afford to ditch their run game completely. They need to keep defenses honest, even if that means just maintaining the illusion of the run. Darnold’s lone pick last week wasn’t what lost the game—it was a defense that couldn’t hold up its end. That’s exactly why the Seahawks might just hand Darnold the keys.

Jaguars vs Seahawks might be a close encounter

Last season, the Jaguars barely made a dent with a 4-13 record. But now, under Liam Coen, this team feels completely different. Heading into Week 6, Jacksonville has already matched that win total with a 4-1 record, including a stunning Monday Night Football upset over the Kansas City Chiefs. So, the momentum is with the Jaguars.

Meanwhile, the early odds at DraftKings Sportsbook have Seattle listed as a 1.5-point underdog for the trip to EverBank Stadium. On paper, it seems odd given Jacksonville’s past struggles. Yet Coen has clearly elevated this squad. The Jaguars’ defense has taken a noticeable leap, holding opponents to just 20 points per game through five weeks—down from 25.6 last season. That’s nearly a touchdown fewer each outing, and it shows how disciplined and focused this unit has become.

On the offensive side, the Seahawks are lighting it up. Sam Darnold is on red-hot form. Meanwhile, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is keeping pace as a top-tier weapon, right behind Puka Nacua as an early candidate for Offensive Player of the Year. This Seattle offense is looking dangerous.

Defensively, the Seahawks have mostly held strong, but closing games in the fourth quarter has been an issue. That’s why they sit at 3-2 rather than undefeated. It’s been four years since these two met, and rosters have shifted significantly. Still, the Seahawks lead the all-time series 6-3, adding a historical edge to this intriguing matchup. Both teams are peaking at the right time, and fans should expect a tightly contested showdown.