The Jacksonville Jaguars are a 7-point underdog for their Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers even though they’re coming off a dominant 24-0 win over the Indianapolis Colts. One big reason most analysts believe the Jags will lose is their 3-15 all-time record on the Pacific Time, where the game will take place.
However, there are many reasons to think Jacksonville could pull off the offset. Trevor Lawrence is coming off a career game and the defense is registering turnovers at a high rate. Moreover, a win will help the Jags extend their lead in the AFC South, so they should be incentivized to beat the Bolts. With that in mind, there are five bold predictions for Week 3 of the 2022 NFL season.
5. The Jaguars defense will register 5 sacks vs. the Chargers
General manager Trent Baalke has spent the last two years revamping the roster and players that the Jaguars signed last offseason, along with the new additions, are making an impact. In Week 2, Jacksonville sacked Matt Ryan five times. Sure the 2016 MVP is no longer in his prime and lacks mobility but defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and the front seven deserve credit for pressuring him all game long.
The Chargers have a pretty good offensive line and Justin Herbert has been sacked only twice this season, both instances coming against the Kansas City Chiefs last week. However, Caldwell will move defensive end Arden Key and rookie Travon Walker and dial up a few blitzes in order to look in order to find cracks in Los Angeles’ pass protection. This will in turn will create opportunities for the Jags’ defensive front to take Herbert five times in the game.
4. Zay Jones will post his first 100-yard game with the Jaguars and 1 TD
Christian Kirk has stolen the spotlight and rightfully so. He’s been one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL over the last two weeks and has proven that giving him a top-market contract in the offseason was a smart move.
However, Kirk isn’t the only one widout the Jags signed in the free agency. Zay Jones also landed in Jacksonville earlier this year and although he hadn’t had the impact his teammate has had, he’s also become a key cog on offense. The former East Carolina Pirate has hauled in nine receptions for 88 yards in the last two games. But with all the attention Kirk is going to get against Los Angeles, he will have favorable matchups, which will in turn lead to his first 100-yard game and his first trip to the end zone as a Jaguar.
3. The Jaguars defense will record 3 takeaways vs. Los Angeles
The Jaguars have built a sturdy defensive line but their secondary looks pretty good despite what Pro Football Focus has to say. It’s been only two games and the back seven has already snagged five interceptions. It’s also worth noting that outside linebacker Josh Allen is having a bounce-back season and is wreaking havoc at the line of scrimmage.
The Bolts have turned the ball over only once this season but the Jaguars’ defense will bring constant pressure and rattle Justin Herberts, which will lead him to commit mistakes. Jacksonville has logged three takeaways in each of the last two games and they’ll keep the streak alive in Week 3.
2. The Jaguars RB duo will get 150 yards on the ground
The Chargers have done a good job at stopping the run this year. After two weeks, they rank seventh in the league in rushing yards allowed and haven’t given up a single rushing touchdown. But that will change against the Jaguars.
The Colts made it difficult for Jacksonville to run the ball in Week 2 but they kept insisting and James Robinson eventually broke off a 37-yard run. The Jaguars will try to establish the run against the Chargers even if it doesn’t pay off early on because they know that it will eventually.
Robinson has averaged six yards per carry against the Washington Commanders in the opener and he will once again find success running the ball in Week 3. Travis Etienne will make the most of his opportunities too and the duo will combine for over 150 rushing yards.
1. Trevor Lawrence will throw 3 TDs and no INTs vs. the Chargers
In 19 NFL games, Trevor Lawrence has thrown two touchdowns and no interceptions two times and both came against the Colts. He’s only scored three passing touchdowns in his career once. And that day, against the Houston Texans, he also threw three interceptions.
Against the Colts in Week 2, Lawrence completed 83.3 percent of his passes. He will build off of his productive outing and will throw three touchdowns with no interceptions for the first time in his career against the Bolts. The fact that he will do it against a defense stacked with talent will make it even more impressive.