Jaguars vs Lions: Three matchups to observe

The Jacksonville Jaguars head to the Motor Metropolis to face the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Listed here are three matchups to be careful for:

Mac Jones vs Carlton Davis

Is it formally tanking season in Jacksonville? The Jaguars’ star quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, shall be absent once more this coming Sunday after lacking the sport in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings with a left shoulder damage. Maybe Lawrence would have gritted his tooth and performed by it had the Jags been pushing for a playoff place. However with simply two wins on the season, it appears silly to danger him – and as such, backup Mac Jones will deputize in opposition to the Lions this weekend.

These grumbling about Lawrence previous to the final sport have been awfully quiet as his backup confirmed simply how tough it’s to maneuver the ball by the air on this offense. Jones threw for simply 111 yards, turning the ball over twice within the course of. One sport in opposition to a great protection will not be a sufficiently big physique of labor to slam the previous New England Patriot, however the hometown child will definitely be hoping for a greater outing this time spherical.

Jones has a tricky job forward of him. The Lions are dominant within the NFC proper now, crushing poor groups and digging out wins in opposition to contenders. At 8-1, they path solely the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs with their win-loss document in 2024, and appear loaded on each side of the ball. Head coach Dan Campbell has constructed a group able to going all the way in which, with a potent offense and marauding protection up to now proving to be the envy of the league.

One in all their newer additions had his greatest sport in Honolulu blue on Sunday. Carlton Davis came to visit to Detroit from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason, and shortly made the left nook spot his personal. He terrorized CJ Stroud final weekend, choosing him off twice and making 4 tackles. Davis is heading in the right direction for his greatest season as a professional, with 47 tackles and two fumble recoveries additionally on his resume. Jones must be cautious of a number of threats on this Lions protection, however Davis poses a specific downside for the Jags QB if he desires to push the ball down the sphere.

Jarrian Jones vs Amon-Ra St. Brown

A vibrant spot in a season of darkness for the Jacksonville Jaguars often is the ascension of defensive again Jarrian Jones. Basic supervisor Trent Baalke typically comes beneath hearth for his means to handle a roster, however it seems to be like he received it proper with final 12 months’s third spherical choice. Jones has quietly earned increasingly snaps on Ryan Nielsen’s protection, and with Darnell Savage being moved about to cowl different spots maybe vacated by damage, it has allowed Jones to make the slot nook function his personal.

It’s not been a straightforward entry into the league. The Jaguars have struggled mightily this season, however Jones seems to be like he can turn out to be a key a part of the secondary for years to come back. Certain, the again finish of the Jags’ protection is fluid, so suggesting he’s protecting slot receivers each snap is simply too simplistic. However Jalen Nailor final week was held to only one catch for 11 yards. Jones has undoubtedly added some metal to an in any other case suspect place group.

This week, issues get more durable. Not solely is Amon-Ra St. Brown probably the most explosive slot receivers within the league, he’s additionally anticipated to be focused extra if Sam LaPorta can’t go on Sunday. The Lions tight finish has not practiced this week after sustaining a shoulder damage, which means St. Brown shall be leant on much more than typical when Jared Goff works the center of the sphere. St. Brown is half method by his fourth season as a professional, and has already surpassed 4,000 receiving yards – with 28 touchdowns to his title too. Jones is predicted to be very busy making an attempt to maintain his reverse quantity quiet this weekend.

Travon Walker vs Penei Sewell

Penei Sewell has turn out to be the monster that everybody knew he could be when he was dominating for the Oregon Geese in school. Since being drafted with the seventh choose within the 2021 NFL Draft, Sewell was named to the all-rookie group and has two professional bowl appearances = in addition to being named a primary group All-Professional final 12 months. 335 lbs and feisty, he’s the epitome of a Dan Campbell participant; a giant man who can transfer however has the grit and struggle that the Lions covet a lot. In 2024 he’s raised his sport a lot that there are nationwide campaigns to assist him win league MVP and offensive participant of the 12 months. Comparisons to Orlando Tempo says all of it – this man operates in rarified air.

His dominance at proper sort out has allowed Jared Goff to have his greatest ever season within the NFL. Mocked as a makeweight that noticed Matthew Stafford traded to the Los Angeles Rams, Goff has elevated his sport to such an extent that he’s now thought of among the best QB’s within the league. Clearly his supporting forged has loads to do with that comeback, and Sewell conserving him upright is on the prime of that listing. Up to now, the Lions have allowed simply nineteen sacks on the season – the bottom within the league.

That seems like a problem for the Jaguars, who know they should get Goff uncomfortable if they’re to have any hope of returning to Jacksonville with a win. Regardless of having a pair of proficient go rushers, the Jags languish within the backside ten of the NFL for sacks this 12 months with simply 21 takedowns – and so they’ve performed another sport than most different groups under them in that class. The excellent news? Third 12 months edge Travon Walker seems to be heading in the right direction to have his greatest season as a professional up to now, already registering 7.5 sacks and 37 tackles. With Josh Hines-Allen working as an efficient foil on the opposite aspect of the road, Walker has proven spectacular development – and he’s in a wealthy vein of kind too. Six of these sacks have come within the final six video games. He’ll should be at his greatest to problem Sewell on Sunday.