3 keys to a shock Jaguars win vs. Cowboys in Week 15

The Jacksonville Jaguars enter Week 15 with a chance to make the playoffs but their margin for error is slim. Lose one game and you’re pretty much out, which could turn out to be a tall order when you take into account that their next opponent is the 10-3 Dallas Cowboys.

Head coach Doug Pederson is aware of the importance of this game. He met with the local media Friday and talked about what it means for the team:

“We’re playing for our lives, we’re playing to stay alive”, Pederson said. “This is gonna be a great atmosphere. I can’t stress it enough, if you don’t get up for these games, against good players, you might need to think about doing something else. As coaches and players, these are great games to play in and it’s gonna take a whole lot to keep the energy up in this one”.

The Jaguars are coming off a solid decisive over the Tennessee Titans but they’ve managed to win games in consecutive weeks just once this season. If they want to start their second winning streak, they’ll need to follow these three keys against the Cowboys.

3. The Jaguars front seven must get after Cowboys QB Dak Prescott

Outside linebacker Travon Walker had a career game against the Tennessee Titans in Week 14, registering a strip sack and three total tackles. But his status for the Cowboys game is in question due to an ankle injury. If Walker is unavailable, defensive ends Dawuane Smoot and Arden Key will then get more snaps.

Whether the former Georgia Bulldog is good to go, defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell must find a way to manufacture pressure up front. In particular, the trio of Folorunso Fatukasi, Roy Roberston-Harris, and DaVon Hamilton must create pressure from the inside. Even if they can’t get to Dak Prescott, they need to disrupt his timing and make him as uncomfortable as possible.