NFL expert thinks Jaguars are more talented than Seahawks right now

Before the season started, the Jacksonville Jaguars looked like a less talented team than the Seattle Seahawks. However, things have changed significantly since then. The Jags currently have just one fewer win than the Seahawks. In fact, one NFL expert believes Jacksonville is more talented than the Hawks right now.

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media appeared on The Rich Eisen Podcast and discussed the state of the Hawks ahead of Week 8. The analyst says not having Russell Wilson hurts Seattle, and without him, he can make a strong case the Jaguars are the better team at this moment.

"Russell Wilson has been, I always use the phrase like the febreze. He’s just kind of makes all that other smell go away on their roster and now you take him out of there. It’s a chore. You have the one big play to DK Metcalf but it’s a chore for them getting first downs. The roster is not very good."

Jeremiah isn’t wrong. The Seahawks are currently 2-5 and have lost three straight games. There’s no doubt there’s a significant drop-off from Wilson to Geno Smith. Their offense ranks 21st in points scored and 26th in total yards. The other side of the coin is Seattle has a couple of talented wideouts on DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. If Smith can get them the ball, the Seahawks could make things difficult for Jacksonville’s secondary. Here’s the whole clip. The talk regarding the Jaguars starts at:

The Jacksonville Jaguars are healthy and ready for the Seahawks.

On defense, it will be up to cornerbacks Shaquill Griffin and Tyson Campbell to slow down the duo of Metcalf and Locket. The New Orleans Saints held the Seahawks to just 10 points on Monday Night Football and they’re not a defensive juggernaut, so there’s a chance the Jaguars can keep them in check. Griffin told the media it will be a tough matchup that may come down to whoever makes the first mistake.

On the offensive side of the ball, Trevor Lawrence is getting better by the week and should be able to move the ball against a Seattle defense that ranks 27th in yards allowed. The rookie passer has the trio of Marvin Jones Jr., Jamal Agnew, and Laviska Shenault Jr. at his disposal, and should have no trouble finding favorable matchups.

Jeremiah is right when he says not having Wilson is a game-changer. Back in the mid-2010s, the Seahawks had one of the most formidable defenses in NFL history and a workhorse in Marshawn Lynch. Alas, as their roster has become devoid of talent, they have become more dependant on their star quarterback to bail them out. Without out him, their lack of talent has been exposed.

It’s up to the Jaguars to take advantage of this matchup regardless of who starts at quarterback for the Seahawks. Even though Geno Smith isn’t elite, Jacksonville can afford to take him lightly. If they win, nobody will look back and say the victory is worth less because Wilson didn’t suit up.