The argument can be made that the Jacksonville Jaguars should be 3-0. But starting 2-1 after a 4-13 season, and with an entirely new coaching staff, isn't something to be disappointed with. After all, new head coach Liam Coen seems to be doing and saying the right things, the defense is playing some of its best football, and the rushing game is producing.
But can the Jaguars keep it up against a 3-0 San Francisco 49ers team that averages almost 300 yards per game in the passing attack, which appears even more dangerous now that 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is set to return in Week 4. Let's take a look at the Jaguars' secondary, along with two other storylines to follow.
Related: Dyami Brown's absence highlights initial Jaguars injury report vs. 49ers
Can the Jaguars secondary stop the 49ers potent passing game
The Jaguars' secondary is something of a mixed bag. In Week 1, they dominated a struggling Carolina Panthers' team, holding quarterback Bryce Young to 154 yards and intercepting him twice. Then, in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, they let Joe Burrow and backup quarterback Jake Browning pass all over them as the duo combined for 317 yards and three touchdowns (they also picked off Browning three times).
Jacksonville held its own in Week 3, keeping Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud to only 204 yards, a single touchdown, and snagging another pair of interceptions (if you're counting, that's seven INTs through three games). It's worth noting that 50 of those passing yards and the touchdown came on a single play.
So, which Jaguars secondary will show up in Week 4 against the 49ers? The Bengals' success came primarily through receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins—arguably the best receiving duo in the NFL—so perhaps they can be forgiven for a struggling performance.
The X-Factor could turn out to be Ricky Pearsall, who's missed practice ahead of the game. But with or without him, this might be one of their bigger challenges so far.
In the end, my money lands with the Jaguars' secondary. Tyson Campbell is playing with grit, Jourdan Lewis seems like the best free agent signing since Calais Campbell, and rookie Travis Hunter is just starting to blossom. The 49ers will have success in the passing game, but the ball hawks in the Jaguars' backfield will come through when it matters.
Can Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence protect the ball
The 49ers have yet to register an interception, so you know they're chomping at the bit with the thought of the turnover-prone Trevor Lawrence coming to town.
With the 49ers' defensive end Nick Bosa out for the year and the Jaguars' offensive line playing some of its best football, Lawrence is likely to have time in the pocket. Can he take advantage of it and put the ball into his receivers' hands? Or will fans be scratching their heads as he gives the 49ers their first pick of the season? My bet is with Lawrence and the Jaguars.
Brian Thomas Jr. is coming off a decent—if not a little ugly—game against the Texans, and ball protection is sure to be a hot point all week in practice. If Lawrence can't protect the ball this Sunday, I'm not sure he can protect it at all.
Will the Jaguars rushing attack return to form?
The Jaguars led the league in rushing through two weeks, but then came Houston. The Etienne-led rushing attack only put up 86 yards—barely half of their season average—and most of those came during the second half. After running the ball at will against the Panthers and Bengals, they struggled on the ground in Week 3. Can the Jaguars recover and return to form against the 49ers?
San Francisco sits around the middle of the pack, allowing 311 yards per game. However, they rank in the top ten in yards per carry (3.7) and have only allowed a single rushing touchdown all year. The Jaguars will have their work cut out for them, but I think the offensive line will win in the trenches, and Etienne and rookie Bhayshul Tuten will combine for at least 150 yards and a touchdown.
Related: Jaguars' division foe waves white flag with baffling in-season trade
Final thoughts
It's still early in the season, and teams are still finding their identities. So far, the Jaguars have established themselves as a run-first team with a defense that focuses on disruption and takeaways. So long as Lawrence can protect the ball, I expect this to be a close game, but I see the Jaguars coming out on top.