Five Storylines to Watch: Jaguars vs. Cowboys
After an embarrassing loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars are on the road for a second straight week to take on the Dallas Cowboys.
Last week’s game should be erased from the minds of all fans, players, and coaches. Another week, another matchup, one that should prove to be favorable for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Fans of the Black and Teal should watch for these storylines to unfold in the Lone Star State.
Injuries, Injuries, and More Injuries
The injury bug made its way to Duval County and infected Jacksonville. Last Sunday the Jaguars lost RB Corey Grant (foot) for the season, as well as TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (core muscle), and OT Josh Wells (groin) for the foreseeable future.
These injuries already piled onto a lengthy Jaguars injury report that features RB Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and CB D.J. Hayden (toe). Going into Sunday’s game against Dallas, CB Jalen Ramsey is listed as questionable. It will be a huge test for the Jaguars to fight through missing some on their key players, especially is Ramsey won’t be able to go.
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"“I kind of get excited about it; it’s a great challenge,” Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone said to reporters on Tuesday. “I look at it as an opportunity to do something more, to do something better.”"
Offensive Inconsistencies Strike Again
The Jaguars offense is starting to take shape into a potentially uneasy pattern. Once again, after a good week four, the Jaguars offense plummeted back to earth. QB Blake Bortles accounted for all five of the Jaguars’ turnovers (four interceptions and one fumble), three of them in a still undecided game in the second quarter.
Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett must achieve some balance for the offense in order for Bortles to thrive. That balance falls on the shoulders of RB’s T.J. Yeldon and recently-signed Jamaal Charles. If Jacksonville can keep the Cowboys defense — who are allowing an 11th best 95.8 rushing yards per game — on their toes with the threat of the run game, Bortles will have the opportunities to spread the field and expose Dallas’ defense.
Protect Blake Bortles
A reason for Bortles’ fall last week was due to the pressure he received, taking five sacks and being rushed 11 times. Dallas currently is tied for the ninth most sacks in the league with 16, anchored by All-Pro DE Demarcus Lawrence. Lawrence will either lineup against OT Jeremy Parnell or newly-signed OT Ereck Flowers.
OG Andrew Norwell and C Brandon Linder appeared on the Jaguars’ injury report throughout the week. The Jaguars’ offensive line needs to protect Bortles and give him enough time to find the open man.
Contain Ezekiel Elliott
Taken one pick before Ramsey in the 2016 NFL Draft, RB Ezekiel Elliott has proven to be one of the best at his position, and he will be the Jaguars’ defense main focus. Elliott currently leads the NFL in rushing yards with 480, averaging close to 100 per game.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars defense is allowing a middle-of-the-pack 101.2 yards per game. The Jaguars can and should stack the box against Elliott and the Cowboys’ offensive line. If Dallas’ WR’s win the game for them, so be it.
But, the Jaguars secondary matches up very well against a Cowboys passing game that hasn’t found its footing.
Must Win
It’s only week five but with the Jaguars’ recent luck in the injury department, this is an important game to get back in the win column and build some momentum for the next couple of games.
Side note: Those black and teal — no pun intended — uniforms should look great on the field.