The Jaguars face the Philadelphia Eagles in their next pre season game

Will the Jaguars look better in the second game of the preseason?

The Jacksonville Jaguars play at home against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, August 15.  Fans are hoping for a better performance from this team. The coaching staff has decided that most of the team’s starters will sit this one out as well.

It is unlikely the fans at TIAA Bank Field will see Nick Foles, Leonard Fournette, Jalen Ramsey, Calais Campbell and other big-name talent on the field until next week in Miami.

The injury issue has become a critical problem for all NFL teams. Coach Doug Marrone made the decision to sit his starters last week partly to avoid the injury bug. It’s hard to blame him when you look around the league.

Another take is that he wanted to introduce the new and improved team on their home field. Was that a good decision? New week, new opponent, new decisions to be made. Time to move on. The home fans hope to see the starters in week two for at least for one series, but that may not happen.

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The Eagles are a very good football team. They were Super Bowl champions in 2017 (thank you Nick Foles) and made the playoffs in 2018 with a 9-7 record. Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz didn’t start the 2018 season until Week 3 due to a prior injury.  He was injured once again and missed the playoff games.  The Eagles gave Wentz a new contract and hope for an injury free season.

The Eagles lost their first preseason game to the Tennessee Titans, 27-10.  Wentz didn’t play in the game and the start was given to Nate Sudfeld the new backup quarterback.  Unfortunately for the Eagles Sudfeld suffered a broken wrist and will miss time in 2019.  Cody Kessler is now the back up to Wentz and should see time this week.

Doug Peterson is the head coach for the Eagles. He was a journeyman NFL quarterback and played for numerous teams during his career. He is very involved in the offense and known as a creative play caller. In addition, he has Super Bowl rings as both a player and a coach.

The Eagles have some genuine stars. Wentz is the starter and the sky is the limit if he can remain injury free. Malcolm Jenkins is a three-time Pro Bowl safety and was held out of the first preseason game to avoid injury.  Zach Ertz is a two-time Pro Bowl tight end. Brandon Graham is a top defensive end.  Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson (acquired from the Tampa By Buccaneers) are a very talented pair of wide receivers.  Finally, they have our former Jaguar Malik Jackson.

The Eagles are not a frequent opponent of the Jaguars.  As a result, some of us may not know much about them. Here is a synopsis of the team.

"This team has a top five head coach, a recent general manager of the year award winner, a roster better than their Super Bowl winning one on paper, and a healthy MVP candidate in Wentz,” writes Andrew Kulasegram-Wilson"

Add to that a very deep roster and you have a formidable opponent.

It is very important that the Jaguars play this week with a little more urgency.  Win or lose the fans want to see improvement.  I hope the penalties will be reduced by at least half, the team looks more confident in the huddle, and the stars will play at least one series. Go Jaguars!