As quarterback Trevor Lawrence noted, it’s funny that two NFL teams located in Florida will face off against each other in London. In case you weren’t aware, the Jacksonville Jaguars will take on the Miami Dolphins in Week 6, as a part of the league’s international series.
The Jags played the Phins in 2020 and lost 31-13. The coaching staff is no longer the same and this Jacksonville team is significantly different than last year’s. However, the new regime surely wants to avoid losing two consecutive games to their Miami counterpart. Moreover, the Jaguars are still looking for their first win of the year.
Jacksonville is a 3-point underdog as of this writing. If they want to beat Miami, these five players will have to step up.
Jacksonville Jaguars key player No. 5 – Dan Arnold
Tight end Dan Arnold made a positive impact right out of the gate. He was traded three days before their Thursday Night Football matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals and still caught two passes for 29 yards.
Things didn’t go as smoothly in Week 5 though. In the Jaguars’ first possession, the tight end hauled in a pass from Trevor Lawrence but ended up fumbling the ball. The former Carolina Panther told the local media that he will try to work on that, so it doesn’t happen again. On the bright side, he recovered from his mistake and finished the game with six receptions for 64 yards.
The coaching staff needs to target Arnold early and often in Week 6.
Jacksonville Jaguars key player No. 4 – K’Lavon Chaisson
K’Lavon Chaisson was off to a slow start in 2021, posting a measly four total pressures, nine total tackles, and no sacks in the first four games of the season. That changed in Week 5 when he registered three pressures, two tackles for a loss and a sack, his first one since Week 2 of the 2020 season.
Also, Chaisson tackled quarterback Ryan Tannehill while throwing. For a moment, it looked like he fumbled the ball. However, it was ruled an incompletion and the call stood even after head coach Urban Meyer challenged it. The 2020 first-round pick told the local media he was (rightfully) angry about the ruling but added that there wasn’t much he could do.
This season, the Jaguars have gotten consistent pressure from Josh Allen and Dawaune Smoot. If Chaisson can keep playing the way he did against the Tennesse Titans, their pass rush could be formidable. The Miami Dolphins have allowed 12 sacks this season, and their offensive line hasn’t been great. If quarterback Tua Tagovailoa plays Sunday, he might not be at full strength, which is something Jacksonville’s defense must take advantage up.
After registering a combined two sacks in Weeks 3 and 4, the Jags logged three against Tennessee in Week 5. More performances like that will increase their chances of beating the Phins.
Jacksonville Jaguars key player No. 3 – Shaquill Griffin
During training camp, the Jaguars’ cornerback room looked like a strength. Even head coach Urban Meyer said earlier this year that the team had four starting corners and that was even before they drafted Tyson Campbell with the 33rd overall pick in this year’s selection meeting. However, the group doesn’t currently look as spry.
Jacksonville dealt Sidney Jones before the start of the season and traded C.J. Henderson to the Carolina Panthers for tight end Dan Arnold after Week 3. Also, Campbell is dealing with a toe injury and didn’t suit up last week. Jordan De Lugo of Generation Jaguar recently pointed out that the trio of Shaquill Griffin, Chris Claybrooks, and Tre Herndon has given up a combined 86 percent completion rate.
But when you take exclusively Griffin into account, that number drops to 64, and that’s despite the fact that he tends to travel with the opponents’ best wideout. Against the Dolphins, he could end up covering either Jaylen Waddle or DeVante Parker.
Regardless of whom he covers, Griffin must shut him down. Also, snagging and interception would be big for the Jaguars’ defense. He has yet to record one this year even though he’s had several opportunities to come away with one.
Jacksonville Jaguars key player No. 2 – Laviska Shenault Jr.
Marvin Jones Jr. currently leads the Jaguars with 21 catches, showing that signing him in free agency was a smart move. The other side of the coin is that Laviska Shenault Jr. has hauled in 20 passes, just one less than his veteran counterpart.
Viska is making the most of every chance he has to make plays. After a forgettable game in Week 3, where he posted two receptions for -3 yards, he’s gotten back on track and has made several plays worth a highlight reel. In particular, he’s had two receptions go over 50 yards in back-to-back games. Even more amazing is that he doesn’t get a lot of passes thrown his way. Against the Tennesse Titans, he was targeted only three times.
Also, Shenault’s ten forced tackles after the catch are the most in the NFL, and his 68.0 Pro Football Focus grade is the fifth-best among Jaguars’ offensive players. With DJ Chark Jr. on the injured reserve list, the coaching staff tried to get the 2020 second-round involved in Week 5 but couldn’t. They need to try once again in Week 6.
Shenaughty by Nature will probably be matched up against cornerback Xavien Howard. He must beat him one-on-one and get deep. The more explosive plays the Jaguars’ offense makes, the better.
Jacksonville Jaguars key player No. 1 – James Robinson
The Jaguars have progressively increased running back James Robinson’s workload this season. Although he had a combined 16 carries in the first two games of the season, he’s totaled 51 in the last three weeks. The former Redbird is playing at a high level, averaging more than five yards per rush.
Heading into Week 6, Robinson leads all NFL running backs with an 88.6 Pro Football Focus overall grade. Furthermore, his 358 rushing yards are the fourth-best in the league, only behind Derrick Henry’s 640, Nick Chubb’s 523, and Ezekiel Elliot’s 452.
It looks like the coaching staff realized they weren’t using Robinson nearly enough and they deserve credit for it. Now, they need to make sure he stays on the field for key fourth-down conversions. In case you missed it, the Jaguars were one yard away from the Titans’ goal line but Robinson wasn’t in the lineup at the time and Hyde ended up getting the ball for negative yardage.
The Illinois State product might have lost yardage as well since the blocking up front was far from optimal. Nevertheless, you want your best players to be on the field for this kind of situation. Moving forward, the Jags must ensure Robinson gets the ball as often as possible without overworking him.