1.  Rashad Jennings, RB, Jacksonville - Jennings needs to get going for the Jaguars to have any hope semblance of balance against the Lions.  The Jaguars don’t have the same firepower as other teams who have outplayed the Lions through the air so they must rely on the running game to help them stay in it.  It all starts with Jennings who could have a big game against the Lions defense or they could step up and limit him like they have three times this year.

2.  Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit - Megatron hasn’t had the biggest game the past two weeks.  His six catches over that time period bely the true potential and very real threat that Johnson is.  It is speculated that he could have a 100 yard game against a depleted Jaguars secondary.  Right now there is no reason contradict the speculation.  Johnson could very easily control this entire game.  His play, always superb, is a pleasure to watch.

Titus Young is flying high.  It will be tough for the Jaguars to slow him down, especially if Calvin Johnson serves as more than just a distraction this week.  Source: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

3.  Titus Young, WR, Detroit - In keeping with the dominance of the passing game it is difficult to overlook second-year man Titus Young.  Young has stepped up big when needed by the Lions.  When Johnson has been less of a factor, Young knows how to take advantage and still be effective.  Young had 100 yards last week against the Seahawks and has 181 in the past two games.  He has very rapidly become a major receiving danger.

4.  Austen Lane, DE, Jacksonville - Lane has rejuvenated a lifeless pass rush since his return from injury.  He may not have the flashiest numbers (one sack, 15 tackles in 4 games) but his high-motor play has made this defense step up their game.  What Lane does on Sunday will dictate how well Matt Stafford can pass.  If Lane can help create consistent pressure then it could become a long day for the Lions.  The Jaguars like what Lane brings to the table and he is due for a big game soon.

5.  Mike Thomas, WR, Detroit - In an odd turn of events, Thomas will be returning to Jacksonville just days after they traded him to the Lions.  While he may not be a game changer this week it will be nice to see if Thomas sees the field and what he does while on it against his former team.  Thomas quit on the Jaguars and was underperforming his skill level this year and last before the trade.  Maybe a change of scenery will do him some good.

- Luke N. Sims

Feel free to leave comments on here or visit us at Facebook or Twitter!

You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims

Despite facing some pressure throughout the game, Blaine Gabbert was effective. Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

Despite facing some pressure throughout the game, Blaine Gabbert was effective.

There are some interesting storylines for this game, so let’s get back to making some comically bad predictions.

Oct 28, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Mike Thomas (80) is stopped by Green Bay Packers cornerback Casey Hayward (29) and linebacker Clay Matthews (52) after a short gain at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

Mike Thomas will drop at least one pass: FACT

Usually Mike Thomas’ drops hurt the Jaguars (last week in the red zone), but this week, he’s the Lions’ problem! Nobody in Jacksonville shed too many tears after Thomas was traded considering how poorly he’s played since prematurely receiving a lucrative extension. He was given multiple opportunities at wide receiver and punt returner but failed to make an impact every time. We can finally take solace this weekend when Thomas disappoints another fan base.

The Jaguars will produce 2+ sacks: FACT

The Jaguars defense showed some life last week, holding Aaron Rodgers to under 200 yards while registering 2 sacks and consistent pressure. The defensive line, particularly the interior, did a good job collapsing the pocket and forcing Rodgers to make tough throws. The Lions defense has already allowed 17 sacks, and Matthew Stafford likes to hold on to the ball and go deep (wouldn’t you if you had Calvin Johnson?). If the defensive ends can get some pressure, the Jags’ defense should be able to capitalize on Stafford’s inevitable per-game mistake.

The Jaguars will hold Calvin Johnson under 100 yards receiving: FICTION

Jacksonville lucked out last week with Green Bay missing their top two receivers, but they’ll have no such luck this week as they face Calvin Johnson. Despite “struggling” (damn you Madden Curse), Johnson still has three 100+ yard receiving games this season and is due for one of his 150 yard, 2 touchdown games. With the Jaguars’ defense potentially missing both Derek Cox and Rashean Mathis, it’s hard to believe the defense can contain Calvin Johnson with reserves Aaron Ross and Chris Prosinski.

Also, Calvin Johnson can do things like this. Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE

Also, Calvin Johnson can do things like this.

Rashad Jennings will rush for more than 100 yards: FACT

Despite a promising preseason, Rashad Jennings has been relatively underwhelming while filling in for Maurice Jones-Drew. He had a productive game receiving against Green Bay, but he’s averaged less than 3.5 yards a carry over the last two games. Jennings should get plenty of opportunities this week against a Detroit defense that gives up over 100 yards rushing a game. Additionally, it looks like the Jaguars are going to stick with Mike Brewster, who’s decidedly outperformed Eben Britton, at left guard for the foreseeable future.

If Gabbert can continue his chemistry with Cecil Shorts III and Jennings can start ripping off 5+ yard runs consistently, the Jags should be able to hang around with the Lions. Their undoing may be their hobbled secondary, but if the defensive line can play as well as they did last week against Green Bay, they might be able to make up for their deficiencies in the back end. And quite frankly, they need to get the home fans a win.

Jacksonville 28 – Detroit 24

-Daniel Lago

I only want to bring you the truth. We’re a 1-6 football team. We’ve lost some close ones. We’ve been blown out. We have yet to blow the doors off of the opposition. That’s not negative. That’s the truth.

We have a hard time moving the ball. We have a hard time stopping the opposition. I’m not going to look at the numbers, but I believe we are probably at the bottom of the league in both offense and defense. Is that negative?

This will not be a “reality vs. negativity” argument. Those are so boring and cliche’. I’m not writing this post to appear less negative either. I’m simply writing this post to let you, the reader, know exactly what I think of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

First and foremost I love this team. My brother, who will be my best man in my wedding in two weeks, bought us and my groomsmen tickets to the Thursday Night Football game next week. This will  be my bachelor party and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend it than watching my team.

So…is this team any good? NO. They aren’t. Are they getting better? YES. You better believe they are getting better, and they might surprise a few teams along the way. I would love to see them beat the Jets. That game will probably be the biggest spotlight on the Jaguars this season…because…well “he who will not be named” is an expensive gimmick for Gang Green. All eyes will be on him and the team who let him go…TWICE. This is a golden opportunity for the Jaguars to step onto a national stage and beat the Ryan/Sanchez/Tebow circus.

Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

Is Blaine Gabbert the future? Yes. I’ve seen enough from Gabbert and in my opinion I believe that he can continue to learn and develop and eventually be a very efficient quarterback in the NFL.

Is the defense any good? I think it’s safe to say that after holding THE Aaron Rodgers to only 186 yards passing…the defense has made huge strides. I don’t quite know what happened at the beginning of the season, but I’m a firm believer that the defense is about to return to form.

Is there a game changer on the roster? NO. Not yet at least. Justin Blackmon WILL be one day, but not any time this year. Cecil Shorts is the closest thing for the time being. With Mike Thomas now gone, I’m thinking Laurent Robinson will return to the slot where he flourished last year with Dallas.  Blackmon and Shorts will continue to start.

Will the defense ever generate more sacks this year? Ya know…it’s not all about sacks. I’d take consistent pressure on the quarterback over 2 sacks in a game any day of the week. I think we’ll begin generating more pressure in the near future.

There is enough young talent on the team to build a solid foundation. Players like Derek Cox, Eugene Monroe, Cecil Shorts…look…I could go on and on.

Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRThere is a lot of young talent on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Right now they are inexperienced and some might be having a hard time not only adjusting to the new playbook, new ownership, new coaches, but just to the professional game in general. A lot of these players come from smaller schools. It takes time for those guys to adjust.

The Jaguars played a good game last weekend, but lost because the offense fell flat. That’s a problem. To not recognize the fact would be ridiculous. Ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. Is it getting better? YES. I can’t tell you the last time the Jaguars’ offense threw for over 300 yards. When was the last time we even had a receiver with 100 yards in a game? So…yes it’s getting better.

But other teams get better too. Can our team be competitive and sock the other guys in the mouth? The jury is still out.

Last weekend we all saw what the Jags are capable of. We watched them play a football game against one of the best teams in the league not just this year (Vikings), but over the last four years. That is a Super Bowl contender they played last Sunday, and they hung with them.

The most important thing is having guys in the locker room who buy into the culture. Sometimes there can be vets from the old regime who don’t always accept the new. In order for this team to be successful Mularkey MUST win over every football soul in that locker room. The players have to have faith in their coach. They have to believe in his system and in his way of doing things. I’m seeing some hold overs from the last few years who look like they simply aren’t buying it. They’ve been with the team too long. They’ve been losing for too long and are just ready for a change. How could you possibly blame them? The organization has to be able to identify those players and well…get them out. Bad attitudes are cancerous.

Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

I think the real change will happen next season. Khan will not keep these players who have “quit” on the team.* See Mike Thomas…(even though I was very sad to see him go and think that he really does have some talent). Somewhere along the way, however, Mike Thomas just simply stopped caring. Why keep him if he quit? We got a 5th round pick for him in the 2013 draft, and I would say that’s pretty good considering where we took him in 2009 and his lack of production the last few years. If we can start trading away some of these “old parts”  and actually begin stacking draft picks…that would certainly bode well for the future.

All of that is speculation of course. I’d much rather focus on this season. There’s so much football left to be played. Don’t quit on this season. The Jaguars have not quit on us! We could be witnessing the beginning of something really good.

Hang in there my Jaguars faithful and I’ll see you at the game…

-David R. Johns