Jacksonville Jaguars: Expect another tough game in Week 4
By Larry Brake
The Jacksonville Jaguars face another tough opponent on Sunday in the New York Jets, and it could be another very close game for the defending AFC South champs.
After a home loss to Tennessee, the Jacksonville Jaguars will host another tough opponent in the New York Jets in Week 4. Statistically, both teams are very similar. Expect another tough and close game.
Jacksonville will have to get the running game on track. Currently, Leonard Fournette and T.J. Yeldon are still limited in practice, according to the Jaguars injury report. Hopefully, they will be ready to play on Sunday. The Jets defense is the NFL’s eighth rank in total defense. They are giving up an average of 306.3 total yards per game. Jacksonville ranks 20th in total offense averaging 339 yards per game.
The Jaguars have the better defense, statistically. They rank fourth in total defense and third in pass defense. Jacksonville’s Achilles heel, however, is the run defense. They are giving up an average of 115.3 yards per game on the ground to rank 21st in the NFL.
New York will give the Jaguars a heavy dose of running backs Bilal Powell and Isaiah Crowell. Powell has carried the ball 31 times for 139 yards. Crowell has rushed for 171 yards on 38 carries with four touchdowns. They employ the running back by committee to keep a fresh back in the game.
Jacksonville is going try and pressure Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold. Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye will smother the Jets receivers. This will force Darnold to check down to passes in the flats.
Last week, according to NFL.com’s Next Gen Stats, Darnold threw nine passes behind the line of scrimmage (LOS). He threw 14 passes between the line-of-scrimmage and 10 yards downfield, with an interception. Darnold completed 3-of-7 passes greater than 10 yards, adding another interception.
Nathaniel Hackett will need to get creative with the Jacksonville offense. The Jaguars will have to force mismatches with their formations. This might be a game where Hackett uses the tight end out of the backfield on pass routes.
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How would the Jets cover a five wide receiver formation? Jacksonville has to spread the Jets defense to create passing windows for Blake Bortles. Hopefully, Bortles can deliver the ball where the receiver can run after the catch.
Expect another tough game against the Jets. Either kicker could possible kick the winning field goal as time runs out.