Jacksonville Jaguars vs. San Francisco 49ers: Key Matchup, X-Factor, and Prediction
By Billy Long
The Jacksonville Jaguars look to stay hot in week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Another week, another clinching opportunity for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Last week against the Houston Texans, the Jaguars took full advantage of a win-and-in scenario in the form of a 45-7 drubbing. This week Jacksonville can clinch again, this time the team’s first ever AFC South crown, and first division title since 1999. The Jaguars may not need to win the game to clinch, depending on what the Tennessee Titans do against the Los Angeles Rams, but winning the division on a high note will be the focus of the team.
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Standing in the Jaguars’ way in week 16 is the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers are 4-10, but have hit their stride in December. San Francisco, like Jacksonville, has won three in a row.
The Jaguars have played well on the road this season, boasting a record of 4-2 away from home, but will need to cure their much-maligned west coast blues.
Will Jacksonville keep rolling and secure a home playoff game? A preview of the week 16 battle:
Key Matchup
Jaguars secondary vs. QB Jimmy Garoppolo
The reason behind the sudden resurgence of the 49ers can be attributed to the quarterback position. Three starts for Jimmy Garoppolo in San Francisco has equaled three wins in San Francisco. Garoppolo has stepped in and provided a spark to the team, being the catalyst behind the consecutive victories, including two in a row over AFC South opponents. The Niners pulled the trigger on the trade with New England, and it appears San Fran has found its quarterback of the future.
But even with the recent success the 49ers have found with their new signal caller, one thing is clear: Garoppolo hasn’t faced a defense near as ferocious as the one he is facing on Sunday against Jacksonville. The Jaguars boast the league’s best defense, and will easily provide the biggest test for the Niners QB.
The defense as a whole will be a difficult challenge, but the key battle will be in the secondary. Sure Garoppolo has been the toast of the town in December, but how will he prosper against the likes of Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye? Both cornerbacks make a living on locking down their side of the field, and would take pride in shutting down Garoppolo’s Hollywood story.
San Francisco will most likely lean on the running game, but Garoppolo must make plays through the air if the Niners want to spring the upset. Finding completions against the Jaguars secondary will be a compelling storyline to watch unfold on Sunday.
X-Factor
RB Leonard Fournette
Leonard Fournette missed last week’s game against the Texans, but the running back has practiced fully this week and will play against San Francisco. Not only will Fournette be full-go, expect him to have a major impact on Sunday.
Blake Bortles and the passing game has been lights out in recent weeks, but the Jaguars to their core are still a run-first team. Look for Fournette to get plenty of touches, and make his mark on the game. The touches won’t be limited to just the running game either. Jacksonville has used Fournette out of the backfield as a safety blanket, as well as in the screen game. Both will be utilized on Sunday, and Fournette will collect a handful of receptions to go with his carries.
The last game Leonard Fournette played in two weeks ago against the Seahawks, he went for 101 yards and a touchdown. Fournette against another NFC West opponent will push the 100 yard barrier once again this Sunday.
Prediction
*Prediction before the prediction: The Jaguars will clinch the AFC South before the game starts as the Rams will beat the Titans*
Now on to this one. The 49ers are undoubtedly playing their best football right now, but wins have come against teams far inferior to the team they are facing on Sunday. The Jaguars have notoriously had issues playing on the west coast, but if the 2017 season has taught us anything, it’s that these are not the same ol’ Jaguars. Head coach Doug Marrone has preached focusing on the next opponent all season long. Don’t expect this to be the week Jacksonville loses sight of what’s at hand.
The Jaguars put up 45 points on Houston last week to clinch a spot in December. I don’t expect quite that amount of explosions in week 16 with the coast-to-coast excursion. Having said that, however, Blake Bortles will have another solid day at the office, and get balanced support from the running game.
On the other side of the ball, the Jaguars defense will provide Jimmy Garoppolo with a back-to-earth type day. Garoppolo is no slouch, and will put together scoring drives to stay within striking distance, but Jacksonville will put the clamps on in the fourth quarter to put an exclamation point on the AFC South Crown.