2021 NFL Draft: Jaguars leap Jets in Tank for Trevor Lawrence race

Dec 19, 2020; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) reacts in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2020; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) reacts in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Trevor Lawrence
2021 NFL Draft prospect Trevor Lawrence. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Jaguars now have Trevor Lawrence within their sights

The race has been on all season long, and then it dwindled to two contenders. As the Tank for Trevor Lawrence campaign has been a fierce one leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars have now taken the lead over the New York Jets with just two weeks remaining in the 2020 season. The best quarterback in this class, Lawrence has the makings of a generational prospect.

As the Jets win their first game of the season against the Los Angeles Rams, they now have an identical one-win record as the Jaguars. This leads to a tiebreaker which favors the team with the tougher strength of schedule. Looking at the SOS, it is the Jaguars who have been tasked with the heavier schedule, giving them the edge to land perhaps the best quarterback since or even before Andrew Luck in 2012.

With just two weeks left, how does the remainder of the schedule look for both teams battling it out for QB1?

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Looking at the remaining games

As they lead the race for Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars face the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts to finish the season. The Jags have already taken down the 10-4 Colts once this year, their only win of 2020 in Week 1, and the 7-7 Bears are certainly beatable. However, looking destined to tank, the Jaguars have not been playing productive football for quite some time.

On the other hand, coming off their first win of the season, the Jets will close out their season against the 9-4 (potentially 10-4 with a win against the New York Giants tonight) Cleveland Browns and the 6-8 New England Patriots.

As both teams have a winnable game on their schedule against teams who do not have an identity, it will be interesting to see how the rest of the season plays out. For now, however, Trevor Lawrence looks like he is heading to Jacksonville instead of the Big Apple in the 2021 NFL Draft.