Jaguars’ Brian Thomas Jr. chasing team records in clash vs. Jets

The New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars have four more weeks to play out before they can wrap up their respective seasons.They’ll try to use each other as a vehicle for a rare win when the teams meet on Sunday afternoon in Jacksonville, Fla.And while these 3-10 squads aren’t bound for the playoffs, there still are individual goals to accomplish and stat sheets to stuff. Case in point is Jacksonville wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who appears well on his way to setting franchise rookie records for receptions and yards.Thomas’ eight catches for 86 yards in last week’s 10-6 win at Tennessee boosted his totals to 54 and 851, respectively, along with six touchdowns. Justin Blackmon had 64 catches for 865 yards for the Jaguars in 2012.”I really want to set it,” Thomas said. “I really want to get it. That’s a big thing for me.”Thomas has produced and played hurt, not missing a game despite sustaining a chest injury at midseason. His teammates and coach Doug Pederson have noticed, with the latter saying the team targeted him 10 times in the second half last week.”He’s a great player,” said Jacksonville quarterback Mac Jones of Thomas, the 23rd overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. “He definitely brings that electrifying playmaking ability, and he’s very smart and works very hard. He’s all ball for sure.”A potential matchup between Thomas and New York cornerback Sauce Gardner is one compelling reason to watch what on paper is an underwhelming game.”Whether that’s rolling down into a coverage or double-teaming someone, B.T. is definitely getting some of that, which is great,” Jones said. “That’s a respect thing.”While Thomas aims to etch his name into the record books, Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will try to add more flattering numbers to a stat sheet that doesn’t reflect how frustrating the season’s been for him and the team.

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