Welcome to Massive Cat Nation’s employees roundtable! This week, we’re previewing Week 11’s matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions at Ford Area.
The Jaguars are 13.5-point underdogs, in accordance with FanDuel Sportsbook.
Query 1: What’s your greatest concern in regards to the Jaguars this week?
Dillon Appleman: The demeanor of Brian Thomas Jr. After taking the league by storm by means of the primary eight video games, BTJ’s involvement within the offense has been minimal since. He’s had his least productive outings of the season the final two weeks and has regarded understandably annoyed. I fear that his confidence might take a success.
Travis Holmes: What is going to Shad Khan do if the Jaguars in some way pulled off the upset on Sunday? Whereas I’m conscious the state of affairs of Jacksonville beating the 8-1 Lions in Detroit could seem extremely unlikely, so did the prospect of Jacksonville’s protection taking part in just like the 85’ Bears in Week 10. I really feel reasonably assured in the potential for change with a double-digit Jacksonville loss, however with one other aggressive loss or a win, it really looks like Shad might go in any path along with his historical past of persistence.
Gus Logue: Whether or not the Jaguars’ offense can keep on the sphere lengthy sufficient to have an opportunity to win. Final week’s 17:41 Time of Possession was the second-worst mark in franchise historical past — the truth that it was solely a one-score loss is unbelievable. The offense can’t depend on the protection to bail them out once more. If Jacksonville can’t transfer the chains, it’ll solely be a matter of time earlier than Detroit begins steamrolling.
Henry Zimmer: What’s there to not be involved about? At this level although, I’m most involved about if Mac Jones will even make it by means of Sunday’s recreation.
Query 2: In case you might ‘steal’ a participant from the Lions and place them on the Jaguars for the remainder of the season, who wouldn’t it be?
Dillon: Brian Department. Some sensible individuals (editor’s word: good day) needed Brian Department to be the Jags’ decide on the tail finish of the primary spherical again in 2023… however I digress. Department has shortly became top-of-the-line younger safeties within the NFL, which simply so occurs to be arguably the most important place of want for this abysmal Jacksonville protection.
Travis: Whereas DE Aiden Hutchinson and C Frank Ragnow had been each concerns, I finally went with RT Penei Sewell because the participant I’d borrow without end. Locking within the dominant sort out might change this Jacksonville line transferring ahead whereas flipping RT Anton Harrison to the left.
Gus: Amon-Ra St. Brown. Because the begin of final season, the Jaguars have a 10-8 file in video games that Christian Kirk begins and finishes; they’re 1-8 in any other case. Jacksonville’s teaching employees hasn’t been capable of finding solutions with no. 13 unavailable. A Lions offensive lineman could be good, however the very best factor for the Jaguars offense could be including a reliable chain-mover in St. Brown.
Henry: Penei Sewell is my selection, although you could possibly actually decide any variety of gamers. Sewell is as huge a recreation changer as a sort out will be and he clearly makes the Lions higher. The Jags might at all times use that.
Query 3: Who would be the greatest X-factor on Sunday?
Dillon: Ben Johnson. The most well liked title amongst head coach-needy groups has Detroit’s offense completely buzzing for the third 12 months in a row. They rank second in scoring offense whereas the Jags’ protection ranks twenty seventh in scoring protection. It might get out of hand shortly on Sunday.
Travis: Can Mac Jones defend the soccer and get outdoors receivers extra concerned this week? That’s my greatest concern as of late with this Jacksonville offense. With the offensive scheme seeming to do all the pieces attainable NOT to spotlight Brian Thomas Jr, that accountability will now shift to Jones. As within the Vikings recreation, 13 tight finish targets to 6 broad receiver targets (with 4 out of these six to Gabe Davis) is solely not a recipe for achievement.
Gus: Andre Cisco. Certainly one of Ben Johnson’s finest traits as a playcaller is his means to make use of misdirection to attract receivers open — Cisco should stay disciplined in opposition to Detroit’s play-action assault and assist stop explosive performs for Jacksonville to have an opportunity. If he picks off Jared Goff, he’d path solely Donovin Darius in all-time interceptions by a Jaguars security.
Henry: Jared Goff would be the X-Issue. The Jags protection can harass groups every so often regardless of what the ultimate scores might appear like, and perhaps this week the protection is aware of it should play lights out to maintain issues shut. We might see a foul day from Goff if he tries to push issues an excessive amount of. Possibly.
Remaining rating prediction?
Dillon: Lions 34, Jaguars 14
Travis: Lions 40, Jaguars 16
Gus: Lions 30, Jaguars 9
Henry: Lions 42, Jags 10
What are your Week 11 predictions, Jaguars followers? Tell us within the feedback!