After losing four games to start the 2024 season, the Jacksonville Jaguars have won two of their last three games. However, they cannot uncork the champagne just yet. There's plenty of work left if they want to make a playoff push. Fortunately for them, they have a few things going in their favor. The weather is one of them.
As cliche as it sounds, every game counts. Had the Jags beaten the Miami Dolphins or the Cleveland Browns early in the season they wouldn't be under so much pressure to defeat the Green Bay Packers in Week 8. But that's the situation they're in and they have nobody but themselves to blame. In fact, the only thing they can do is show up and play.
The good news is that Jacksonville is playing much better than it did early in the season. In particular, Trevor Lawrence is playing like the difference-maker he's paid to be and not the indecisive and inaccurate quarterback he was the first four games.
Since Week 7, No. 16 has completed 68.8 percent of his throws for 967 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. It's worth noting that his improvement has coincided with the offensive line playing much better in the same span.
Leaving aside Week 6, the Jaguars have surrendered a combined six pressures and no sacks dating back to Week 4. With much better protection, Lawrence has had ample time to throw, but he isn't the only beneficiary from the bigs up front. Running back Tank Bigsby has also enjoyed outstanding blocking up front.
Bigsby, a third-round pick in last year's draft, is having a breakout season, registering 415 yards with four touchdowns on 67 carries. On top of that, his average of 6.2 yards per carry is the second-best in the league.
Tank Bigsby powers through to give the @Jaguars the lead!
— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024
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In Week 8, the weather will allow the Jaguars' offense to be on a roll.
The weather report will allow Trevor Lawrence to connect with Brian Thomas Jr. early and often
Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. ET. NFL Weather projects that it will be 83 degrees Fahrenheit with 53 percent humidity, so it won't be particularly hot. On top of that, there's a 6.0 percent chance of precipitation. This means that it probably won't rain. Last but not least, there will be winds of 6-7 miles per hour.
When you look at the forecast, it's fair to say that the Jaguars will enjoy nearly perfect weather conditions for the game. It won't impede Trevor Lawrence from throwing the football and attempting a few deep shots.
The biggest beneficiary should be wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who's averaging 17.1 yards per catch in 2024. In seven games this season, the former LSU Tiger has hauled in 30 receptions for 413 yards with four touchdowns. The coaching staff must take advantage of the weather forecast and target him as much as possible.
The bottom line is that beating the Green Bay Packers won't be a walk in the park, but the weather won't be an impediment for the Jacksonville Jaguars.