Jaguars host Eagles in London: Black and Teal weighs in
By David Levin
After a week of questions and dissection of this franchise, the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Philadelphia Eagles in a pivotal game in London on Sunday.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles were supposed to be atop their respective divisions and looking forward to a bye week and then a march to playoffs.
Oh, how things have changed. The Jaguars (3-4) make their annual pilgrimage to London and Wembley Stadium to host the Eagles (3-4) in a contest that isn’t about a potential Super Bowl preview as it is about making it to .500 and having a fighter’s chance at playing into next year.
Even with the recent news of defensive injuries that have decimated the secondary, the focal point has been on the offense and its lack of success and being torn apart by losing players to various injuries. Can head coach Doug Marrone and his staff right the ship and make London the launching point of a successful second half of 2018?
More from Jacksonville Jaguars News
- Jacksonville Jaguars should welcome Derrick Henry into the kingdom
- Jaguars Rumors: Trent Baalke seems to be getting respect now
- Jaguars News: This division rival might be making a big move
- Former Jacksonville Jaguars S Johnathan Cyprien: “New Profession, Same Standards”
- Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram officially gets the franchise tag: 3 takeaways
"“Make no mistake about it, we have had quite a few injuries on offense and people are brought here or drafted and developed here to play a certain type of football. Not to say that we can’t play any other way, but that’s what we have worked on,” Marrone said Wednesday when he met with the media.“If we can play to the identity that we want to play then we feel that will help us become a better team and start winning some games.”"
This could be the start of something big or could be the continuation of struggle and questions if this team was a one-year wonder last season.
The staff here at Black and Teal weigh in on Sunday morning’s matchup and predict the winner.
Kathy Clark – Every game in the NFL is a must win. But this is an important game. There is a huge psychological difference between a 4-4 record and a 3-5 record. Both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars are at a crossroads halfway through the season.
The last several weeks I picked with my heart. This week I pick with my head. Eagles 24 Jaguars 10.
Lorenzino Estrada – Time is not on the Jaguars’ side right now. With a multitude of injuries and poor play on both sides of the ball, the Jaguars need to find some consistency quick.
The same narrative befalls on the other side of the story though for the Philadelphia Eagles, another team needing some momentum. Both teams are desperate and looking to go into their respective bye weeks with the taste of victory for about two weeks.
Jacksonville has won it’s last three in London, but their potential dangerously high expectations for Carlos Hyde to turn it all around for the team will come back to bite them. In a game with two struggling teams, whichever quarterback plays better will win the game. Advantage Eagles, 20-10.
Andrew Scott – I don’t know what to believe. Part of me still thinks the team can go back to what they were. It’s mostly the same team. The other part of me would be stupid to ignore what has happened this season.
Honestly, I think we lose and it hurts sayings that. Blake’s confidence is shot but I really hope he proves me wrong. Eagles 28-9.
David Levin – When I wrote my preseason predictions of the 2018 Jaguars, I had them 6-1 heading into this game. I admit I was wrong. There are so many issues with this team on offense and the defense has been labeled as “soft” by some national media.
The Jaguars must score early and get out in front with a lead to even have a chance to win. It’s sad when you have to pray for a field goal and possessions of consistency before you think of winning. That’s where this team is right now on offense.
dark. Next. The 30 greatest Jaguars of All Time
This game is more evenly matched than some might think, but in the end, you go with the better quarterback to get you through. That’s Philadelphia. I am counting on Blake Bortles to have a good game across the pond, but I am not counting on a Jacksonville victory. Eagles, 19-16.