Jacksonville Jaguars: Statement could be made beating Seahawks
By Larry Brake
The Jacksonville Jaguars have another must win game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in Week 14, but the Jags should be able to win.
The Jacksonville Jaguars face another must-win game on Sunday in Week 14 as they take on the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle will test the mettle of the Jaguars as both teams are jockeying for playoff spots. This should be a low-scoring game, but a teal and real victory.
This season has been exciting for Jaguars fans as the team appears headed to a playoff berth. The last time that Jacksonville made the playoffs was in the 2007 season. Jacksonville defeated Pittsburgh and lost the next game to New England. Since then, there has been a playoff drought.
Seattle comes to town after defeating a red-hot Philadelphia team. Although they have lost key players — much like Jacksonville — they are a good team. Currently, 8-4, they are the fifth seed for the NFC playoffs entering the week.
The Jaguars must make a statement against Seattle. They must control the game and show the league that they can win close games. This is the third game against the NFC West and have lost the previous two, falling to the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams. They committed too many mental mistakes in those two losses.
Jacksonville must contain Russell Wilson and prevent him from extending plays. Wilson leads the Seahawks in rushing with 432 yards on 71 carries. The Jaguars could put a spy on Wilson to corral him from getting to the perimeter. Telvin Smith would be the ideal candidate since he returned to practice from concussion protocol, per the Jaguars injury report.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars defense must keep Jimmy Graham locked down. Graham has scored nine touchdowns on 52 receptions and 473 yards. He is a huge physical presence which creates mismatches in coverages. Jacksonville might choose to double cover Graham to curtail his opportunities.
Of course, Blake Bortles has to build off his good performance against Indianapolis. Seattle will stack the box to make Bortles throw. The Jaguars receivers should get open against the Seattle secondary. Bortles has to surgically dissect the Seahawks with quick and mid-range passes. Marcedes Lewis should be a beneficiary of the Jaguars passing attack.
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Jacksonville has the great opportunity to flex its muscle on Sunday. The team needs to serve notice that they are a contender. A bold statement would be another teal and real victory in a close game against a good team.