On Sunday, the Jets will face off against the Jaguars at Everbank Stadium, and there are some interesting matchups to consider.
Key Matchup
Jaguars RB Travis Etienne vs. Jets Front Seven
Recently, the Jets’ defense has struggled against the run. Just two weeks ago, the Falcons rushed for 167 yards, with Bijan Robinson racking up 142 on his own. Then, last week, the Dolphins amassed a staggering 239 yards on the ground, even without key rusher Devon Ashen after he left in the second quarter due to injury.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars are coming into this game riding a wave of success, with their rushing attack consistently performing well. They’ve gained over 100 rushing yards in four out of their last six matches, and Travis Etienne stands out as their top rusher, boasting 917 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
The Jets know they need to improve their tackling and address the gaps that led to those big rushing plays. Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips mentioned how little things can snowball into bigger issues. “If you have 50 plays and five of them are incompletions, you’re graded at 90 percent. But when those five plays turn into 10-yard runs in your gaps, that’s tough to swallow,” he said. “It’s unacceptable to allow that many yards.”
Additional Insights
Let Brady Cook
This Sunday, the Jets will be starting their third quarterback of the season. With Justin Fields out due to a knee injury and Tyrod Taylor unavailable with a groin issue, undrafted rookie Brady Cook steps in for his first start. Cook took the reins last week against the Dolphins after Taylor was hurt. While he showed some promise, he also had a rough time with two interceptions and two fumbles, both of which the Jets recovered. The Jaguars are known for their defensive prowess, with 23 takeaways this season, so Cook will need to be cautious.
“I have complete confidence in him,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn stated. “I believe he has what it takes to excel in this league, and he’ll get that chance this week.”
Large Spread
In this contest, the Jets are facing a significant challenge, entering as 13.5-point underdogs. Their struggles have made this their second major loss in just a few weeks, having previously lost against the Ravens. Strangely enough, it’s the first time since 2007 that the Jaguars have been so heavily favored. Yet, Jacksonville is wary of overconfidence.
“We can’t let those thoughts creep in,” Jaguars head coach Liam Cohen commented. “A mature team remains grounded.”
Trevor Lawrence’s Progress
Although Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence hasn’t had the smoothest season, he’s seen improvement lately. He’s thrown for over 225 yards and multiple touchdowns in three consecutive games, finding a rhythm under new coach Cohen. “He’s managing the offense much better,” Glenn observed. “His deep ball hasn’t always been on point, but last week he really nailed it.”
Relying on Breece Hall
If the Jets want to make an impact, it might be smart to focus on running back Breece Hall. He’s closing in on 1,000 rushing yards this season, but he also has a knee injury that limited his participation in practice. With the Jaguars possessing the best rush defense, Hall’s condition might complicate things for the Jets.
Final Thoughts
It’s challenging to envision the Jets clinching a win in this matchup. With Brady Cook making his debut and Breece Hall not at full strength, along with a defense that seems to be backsliding, the odds are against them. The Jaguars, on the other hand, are playing for a purpose. While they may have had a sluggish start, they’ve pulled it together. In a final prediction, expect the Jaguars to take it, maybe 24-14.
