Robert Saleh framed his postgame compliment of Liam Coen as a genuine acknowledgment of the Jaguars’ tape-work and player positioning, insisting his words were praise not a dig and that the league relentlessly chases leverage. He lauded Coen’s staff and Jacksonville’s physical, tape-driven offense after the 26-21 win at Levi’s Stadium.

Kyle Shanahan downplayed the incident as much ado about nothing while noting Saleh’s intent to compliment. The saga, unfolding ahead of Thursday night’s Rams game, underscores the NFL’s fixation on film study and coaching leverage as much as on playmaking ability.

Postgame heat flared when Robert Saleh and Liam Coen exchanged heated words after Jacksonville’s 26-21 win, sparked by Saleh’s claim that the Jaguars «legally stealing signals» is a strength. Kyle Shanahan downplayed the moment, insisting Saleh meant a compliment and that nothing illegal was involved. Trevor Lawrence steered the Jaguars with restraint, aided by a plus-four turnover margin, while players and coaches kept focus on execution ahead of the next matchup.

Jacksonville aims to stay in the AFC hunt with a get-right clash against an injury-depleted San Francisco squad after Nick Bosa’s season-ending injury. The Jaguars’ defense has been elite, and Trevor Lawrence must leverage better protection to spark a disciplined offensive game plan behind a rising supporting cast.

Key matchups shape the outcome: Jaguars LBs corralling Christian McCaffrey, Jacksonville DBs shadowing a shorthanded receiving corps, and Lawrence exploiting SF’s weakened front without Bosa. Pearsall and Brian Thomas Jr. provide fresh targets, while George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk complicate the Niners’ backups. A clean, turnover-light game could tilt the division race Jacksonville’s way.

Jacksonville's offense opened strong thanks to an under-the-radar but elite-performing offensive line. They’ve allowed only one sack and kept Trevor Lawrence largely unpressured, helping the unit rank among the top in points and yards per play. The run game has been the standout, leading the NFL in rushing yards per game and yards per carry, fueling the play-action passing game.

Offseason reshaping by GM James Gladstone and a dynamic training-camp rotation from Liam Coen culminated in a trusted starting five: Walker Little, Ezra Cleveland, Robert Hainsey, Patrick Mekari, Anton Harrison. If this cohesion holds, fantasy managers should expect continued efficient production from Lawrence and a balanced, high-floor Jaguars attack.