Liam Coen Sparks Playoff Turnaround for the Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2025 NFL season looked bleak midway through November, with a 4-6 record, a stagnant offense, and fading playoff hopes. But since offensive coordinator Liam Coen returned to the team (after a one-year stint at the University of Kentucky), the Jaguars have undergone a dramatic turnaround—winning five of their next six games to climb into the AFC playoff picture. Liam Coen Sparks Playoff Turnaround for the Jacksonville Jaguars examines how Coen’s strategic vision, player-friendly approach, and ability to adapt have revitalized a struggling offense, turning the Jaguars from also-rans into legitimate contenders. For a franchise that has tasted playoff success only twice in the last decade, Coen’s impact isn’t just about wins—it’s about restoring belief in what the Jaguars can achieve.

Liam Coen Sparks Playoff Turnaround for the Jacksonville Jaguars begins with the state of the Jaguars’ offense before Coen’s arrival. Through the first 10 games, Jacksonville ranked 26th in total offense (302 yards per game) and 29th in points scored (18.5 per game), with quarterback Trevor Lawrence struggling to find rhythm—throwing 11 interceptions and completing just 60% of his passes. The previous offensive scheme relied too heavily on deep passes and complex route combinations, which didn’t play to Lawrence’s strengths as a quick-decision maker. When Coen was hired in early November, he immediately set to work simplifying the playbook, emphasizing short-to-intermediate passes, and leaning into the Jaguars’ talented running back duo of Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby. “Liam didn’t try to reinvent the wheel—he just made the offense fit our players,” Lawrence said in a post-practice interview. “He talks to us like humans, not just players, and he listens to what we’re comfortable with. That trust has made all the difference.” In Coen’s first game calling plays (Week 12 against the Houston Texans), the Jaguars scored 31 points—their highest total since Week 1—and Lawrence threw zero interceptions for the first time in two months.

A key factor in Coen’s success, highlighted in Liam Coen Sparks Playoff Turnaround for the Jacksonville Jaguars, is his ability to maximize the talent of the Jaguars’ skill position players—particularly wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Before Coen’s arrival, Ridley was underutilized, averaging just 4.8 targets per game and struggling with inconsistent snap counts. Coen recognized Ridley’s potential as a slot receiver and began designing plays that put him in space, where his quickness and route-running precision could shine. Since Week 12, Ridley has averaged 8.2 targets per game, hauling in 35 catches for 480 yards and 5 touchdowns—including a game-winning 25-yard touchdown catch in Week 14 against the Tennessee Titans. “Liam saw something in me that other coaches didn’t,” Ridley said. “He tells me exactly what he wants, and he gives me the freedom to make plays. It’s like he’s unlocked a part of my game that I thought was gone.” Coen’s use of Ridley has also opened up opportunities for other receivers, with Christian Kirk and Zay Jones combining for 28 catches and 3 touchdowns in the last four games—proof of Coen’s ability to create a balanced passing attack.

Liam Coen Sparks Playoff Turnaround for the Jacksonville Jaguars also delves into the strategic adjustments Coen made to fix the Jaguars’ running game, which had been one of the league’s worst (ranking 27th with 89 yards per game) before his arrival. Coen shifted from a zone-blocking scheme to a power-run approach, which better suited the Jaguars’ offensive line—led by Pro Bowl left tackle Cam Robinson—and the physical running style of Etienne. He also began using more two-back sets, with Bigsby acting as a lead blocker for Etienne, creating mismatches against smaller linebackers. The results have been striking: since Week 12, the Jaguars have rushed for 142 yards per game (ranking 6th in the NFL) and averaged 4.9 yards per carry—up from 3.2 yards per carry before Coen’s arrival. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the improved running game has taken pressure off Lawrence, reducing his pass attempts and limiting turnovers. “The run game sets everything up,” Coen explained in a press conference. “When we can run the ball effectively, defenses have to commit more players to the box, which opens up the passing game. It’s a simple formula, but it works when you execute it right.” Etienne, who has rushed for 520 yards and 4 touchdowns in the last six games, credited Coen’s scheme for his success: “The plays are designed to put me in position to win. I just have to make the most of the opportunities, and Liam gives me plenty of them.”

Another critical aspect of Coen’s impact, explored in Liam Coen Sparks Playoff Turnaround for the Jacksonville Jaguars, is his handling of late-game situations—an area where the Jaguars had struggled mightily before his arrival (losing four games by three points or less in the first 10 weeks). Coen’s calm demeanor and ability to call plays that fit the moment have turned the Jaguars into a clutch team, with three of their last five wins coming in the final two minutes of regulation or overtime. In Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts, for example, Coen called a 12-play, 75-yard drive in the final 2:30, culminating in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Lawrence to Etienne to seal a 24-21 win. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this late-game success has not only improved their record but also boosted team confidence—something that was lacking earlier in the season. “Liam never panics,” Lawrence said. “Even when we’re down, he’s calm on the sidelines, and he gives us plays that we know we can execute. That confidence trickles down to every player on the offense.” Coen’s late-game strategy often involves a mix of run and pass plays, keeping defenses guessing, and relying on the Jaguars’ playmakers to make big plays when it matters most.

Looking ahead to the playoffs, Liam Coen Sparks Playoff Turnaround for the Jacksonville Jaguars outlines how Coen’s offense will need to adapt to face tougher competition. The Jaguars, currently holding the AFC’s 6th seed, are likely to face a top-tier defense in the first round (either the Baltimore Ravens or the Kansas City Chiefs), which will test Coen’s ability to adjust his scheme. Coen has already begun preparing, studying film of opposing defenses and incorporating new plays that target their weaknesses. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the playoffs are a chance to prove that their turnaround is no fluke—and that Coen’s offense can compete with the best in the league. Head coach Doug Pederson, who worked closely with Coen to hire him, said: “Liam has been a game-changer for this team. He’s not just a great playcaller—he’s a leader who knows how to get the best out of his players. I have no doubt that he’ll have us ready for whatever the playoffs throw at us.” Players echoed Pederson’s confidence, with Ridley adding: “We’re not scared of anyone. Liam has prepared us for this moment, and we’re ready to show the league what we’re capable of.”

Liam Coen Sparks Playoff Turnaround for the Jacksonville Jaguars is ultimately a story of leadership, adaptation, and trust. Coen didn’t just fix the Jaguars’ offense—he transformed the team’s culture, turning doubt into belief and inconsistency into resilience. From simplifying the playbook to maximizing player talent, from fixing the running game to mastering late-game situations, Coen’s impact has been felt in every aspect of the Jaguars’ success. For a franchise that has endured years of disappointment, Coen’s arrival has been a breath of fresh air—a reminder that with the right leadership, even the most struggling teams can turn their season around. As the Jaguars head into the playoffs, they carry with them not just a winning record, but a newfound confidence—all thanks to a coordinator who knows how to spark a turnaround.