Here’s everything you need to know about the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Doug Pederson came to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016 determined to improve the locker room relationships with the players, coaches, and front office. The stench of the Chip Kelly era ended just two years after Pederson’s arrival with the team celebrating their first Lombardi trophy. He will always be seen as a hero of the franchise for helping to guide the team to a Super Bowl win, and against the Patriots dynasty no less. But Pederson’s fall was just as meteoric as his rise in Philly.
Now Pederson, the only coach in Eagles history to win a Super Bowl, is in Jacksonville, rebuilding the Jaguars into a formidable franchise. On Sunday, it’ll be the first chance for the Eagles to see their former coach, and their coach to be celebrated for the championship he brought the city.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1)
Last Game: 38-10 win over LA Chargers
Offensive Ranking: 6th
Defensive Ranking: 7th
Head to head Matchup: Series tied at 3
Jacksonville Jaguars Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Doug Pederson
Offensive Coordinator: Press Taylor
Defensive Coordinator: Mike Caldwell
Special Teams: Heath Farwell
Offense
The Jaguars’ 38-10 blowout win over the Los Angeles Chargers was a startling outcome that brought the team into the national spotlight. Trevor Lawrence is playing great football and is leading a top-10 passing offense into Philadelphia.
Jacksonville is very multi-dimensional as well with their rushing attack also in the upper echelon of teams. Lawrence and James Robinson have really helped change the outlook of the Jaguars’ offense. New additions like Christian Kirk and Brandon Scherff have also helped out very nicely. Doug and Press Taylor have done a nice job of building the offense into a versatile group that is difficult to defend. Will it change going into a big week in Philadelphia? Only time will tell.
Defense
Pop Quiz, which team has the top run defense in football? That’s right, it’s the Jaguars shockingly enough. Jacksonville leads the NFL in attempts, yards, and touchdowns and is top four in yards per carrying.
Jacksonville’s run defense has been beyond impressive and a big reason players like Jonathan Taylor and other top backs have been stifled against Duval’s combined rush of Travon Walker, Josh Allen, and Devin Lloyd. Jacksonville’s defense also stifled Justin Herbert for the shocker of the week, but their secondary is vulnerable.
Shaq Griffin is questionable to play and the secondary is 21st in yards given up. A big reason for that is the large leads that the team has built, but there are plays to be made in the passing game. This is still a vaunted defense that can make teams pay if they make mistakes.
Injuries
Questionable: Shaq Griffin
X-Factor: James Robinson
Doug Pederson’s best years as an Eagles’ play-caller have been when the team’s rushing attack was at the top in football. The same is holding true in Jacksonville. James Robinson ran for over 100 yards in the win in LA. He’s the catalyst for what the Jags want to do offensively. The key to the Eagles should be a simple one: stop the run, get after the quarterback and force Jacksonville to be one-dimensional. The issue? The Eagles are 17th against the run and have had issues defending the stretch plays that Jacksonville has run so well. This will be a good game in Philly.
Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
