Game Overview ::
By Mike johnson >>
- The Jaguars have been one of the least consistent teams this season on both sides of the football.
- Jacksonville’s backfield situation will need to be closely monitored as Travis Etienne Jr. and Bhayshul Tuten were very productive last week but are both nursing injuries now.
- Brian Thomas Jr. may return to the lineup for Jacksonville to play his first game alongside Jakobi Meyers.
- Arizona’s offense has been fun the past few weeks with Jacoby Brissett under center and has an interesting matchup with the Jaguars defense in Week 12.
- Cardinals running back Trey Benson returned to practice on Wednesday and has a chance to be activated this week.
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How jacksonville Will Try To Win ::
The Jaguars have had quite the roller coaster of a season. They have had some huge wins including a road victory over the 49ers and impressive wins over the Chiefs and Chargers, but also had embarrassing moments such as their blowout loss to a shorthanded Rams team, a fourth quarter meltdown against the Texans backup quarterback, and barely squeaking by against a downtrodden Raiders team. The debut season for head coach Liam Coen has been nothing if not interesting, as we seemingly get a different Jacksonville team every week. Whenever it feels like they are breaking through, they let us down. Whenever it seems like they may be a lost cause, they do something spectacular. Consistency has to be the goal, but who knows if/when that will happen.
The Jaguars are coming off one of the aforementioned “highs” as they thoroughly dominated the Chargers in every facet of the game at home in Week 11. Jacksonville’s running game was terrific with running backs Bhayshul Tuten and Travis Etienne combining for over 140 rushing yards and three touchdowns against a struggling Chargers run defense. Jacksonville’s offensive line ranks 5th in the league in adjusted line yards and 12th in PFF run blocking grade. Jacksonville has leaned heavier on their running game in recent weeks as they were 6th in the NFL in pass rate over expectation through seven weeks, but have thrown at a rate 4.3% below expectation in their last four games – a mark that is bottom-10 in the league during that stretch. This week, the Jaguars get an Arizona defense that ranks 27th in PFF run defense grade, 30th in PFF tackling grade, and 24th in rushing defense DVOA. Arizona has allowed three straight opponents to average over five yards per carry and this is a matchup where the Jaguars are likely to continue their run-heavy attack, especially if their dynamic duo of running backs is available. Tuten (ankle) and Etienne (shoulder) have been limited in practice to start the week, but both are expected to play at this point. If one of them were to miss, the other would likely operate as the feature back with rookie LeQuint Allen Jr. taking all the pass down work.
Through the air, the Jaguars have struggled with consistency, but they could be in the best shape they have been for a while this week. Jacksonville may get Brian Thomas Jr. back on the field after a two-game absence due to an ankle injury and tight end Brenton Strange could be activated from injured reserve after practicing but not suiting up in Week 11. The addition of those two along with the steady presence of Parker Washington and newly acquired veteran Jakobi Meyers would give Trevor Lawrence the most dependable set of weapons he has had all season (in large part due to the team’s reluctance to unleash Travis Hunter prior to his injury). Nonetheless, things are starting to look up for Lawrence to display some consistency. Arizona is a team with a low blitz rate and pressure rate, while the Jaguars will lean heavily on the run and short area passing. Lawrence should be able to get comfortable and not have to make too many tight window throws in this matchup, although explosive pass plays may be lacking due to the conservative nature of Arizona’s defensive scheme.
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