It’s onerous to discover a story higher than the one which has unfolded in Jacksonville this season. Following a nightmarish 2021 season, the Jaguars loved a meteoric rise this season that included an AFC South division title. Jacksonville gained the South after dispatching the Titans final Saturday evening whereas strengthening Doug Peterson’s budding Coach of the Year case.
The Jaguars need to mimic final Saturday evening’s success this Saturday evening in opposition to the Chargers within the wild card spherical of the AFC playoffs. The Chargers current a formidable problem, however the Jaguars have the expertise to tug off the upset whereas working their successful streak to 6 video games.
Here are three the reason why the Jaguars’ outstanding run will proceed past wild card weekend.
Similar to Josh Allen, Lawrence loved a dramatic enhance in play from his rookie and sophomore seasons. A yr after main the NFL in interceptions, Lawrence threw simply eight interceptions in the course of the common season. He additionally noticed a dramatic enhance in his completion share whereas throwing greater than twice as many landing passes than he did as a rookie.
Lawrence has seldom made errors in the course of the Jaguars’ successful streak. But he has additionally made loads of clutch performs throughout that span. His most spectacular sport might have been in Dallas on Dec. 18. Facing one of many NFL’s greatest defenses, Lawrence threw for 318 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 40-34 victory.
The Chargers’ protection presents a problem for Lawrence, however the former No. 1 choose will not be tasked with beating Los Angeles by himself. Along with having formidable ability positions at his disposal (extra on that in a second), Lawrence is aided by an offensive line that allowed simply 4 sacks in the course of the workforce’s present successful streak.
Jaguars’ ability gamers
One of the league’s most underrated models, the Jaguars’ ability place gamers performed a key function in each Lawrence’s and the Jaguars’ latest run of success.
Essentially a rookie, working again Travis Etienne loved a standout season that noticed him amass over 1,400 all-purpose yards. Etienne is definitely motivated to play effectively on Saturday evening after the Jaguars ran for a putrid 19 yards in final week’s win over the Titans.
Speaking of motivated gamers, Christian Kirk was undoubtedly motivated to show that he was value his large contract. Kirk has confirmed to be cash effectively spent as he led the Jaguars in receptions, receiving yards and landing catches.
Kirk is the chief of a strong receiving corps that additionally contains Zay Jones and Marvin Jones, who caught a mixed 128 passes and eight touchdowns in the course of the common season. Tight finish Evan Engram, previously a Pro Bowler with the Giants, returned to Pro Bowl type this season after setting profession highs with 73 catches and 766 yards.
The Chargers protection, led by Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and Derwin James, is a gifted group that will not make issues straightforward for the Jaguars. But Jacksonville’s depth on the ability positions will create their very own issues for the Chargers, particularly if the Jaguars keep away from turnovers and turning into one dimensional.
Underrated protection
They is probably not an elite group, however the Jaguars’ protection is a strong unit with gifted gamers at every stage. The Jaguars have a tricky defensive position that’s able to stopping the run whereas additionally placing stress on the quarterback. Behind them is a highly-productive linebacker corps that options one of many prime younger defensive gamers within the league is Josh Allen.
Second yr defensive backs Andre Cisco and Tyson Campbell are two of 4 Jaguars gamers who had three interceptions in the course of the common season. Free security Rayshawn Jenkins, who spent his 4 4 NFL seasons with the Chargers, stuffed the stat sheet this season with three picks (together with one returned for a landing), three pressured fumbles, 12 passes defensed and 116 tackles.
The Jaguars’ protection faces the daunting activity of making an attempt to comprise a Chargers offense that options a few of the league’s greatest ability gamers. But Jacksonville has the expertise to sluggish Justin Herbert and Co., particularly if Allen the Jaguars’ entrance seven are capable of apply constant stress on the Chargers’ quarterback.
