After a gritty 17-10 win over the Houston Texans, the Jacksonville Jaguars will look to end a five-game losing skid when they face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4.
The last time the Jags beat San Francisco was in the distant year of 2005, 20 years ago. They're currently a 3.5-point underdog for the game. However, their odds might have increased a bit in light of the latest Nick Bosa news.
The Jaguars may not face Nick Bosa when they play the 49ers in Week 4
Nick Bosa suffered a knee injury in the 49ers' win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3. Following the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan told the local media that the Pro Bowl pass rusher didn't tear his ACL but will undergo further testing to find out the severity of the injury. Until further news, it's hard to tell if he'll miss any time, but there's a strong chance he won't suit up against Jacksonville.
A first-round pick in 2019, Bosa logged 62.5 sacks the past six years and has two this season. Without him, the San Francisco 49ers pass rush would experience a dip in production.
If Bosa misses the game against the Jaguars, Yetur Gross-Matos and Sam Okuayinonu will see an uptick in playing time.
Related: 4 crucial observations from the Jags' win over the Texans
Even without Nick Bosa, the Jaguars will have their hands full vs. the 49ers
While it's true that the Jaguars offensive line would have a favorable matchup in the trenches if Nick Bosa isn't available or isn't at full strength in Week 4, his absence doesn't guarantee a win. Heck, San Francisco was able to trounce the Cardinals despite the fact that quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Mac Jones are hurt. Similarly, the 49ers managed to do without wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and tight end George Kittle.
And that's the thing, good teams find a way to win despite injuries or any other potential hurdles. The good news is that the Jaguars are coming off a tough win of their own. Even though the receivers were struggling with drops, the Jacksonville defense came through.
Sure, the Jags were hindered by penalties — they were flagged nine times for 70 yards — but ultimately came out on top despite their self-inflicted wounds. This is a way to say that they can beat the 49ers if they can clean up their mistakes and play to their potential.
Ultimately, it will not matter who is or isn't available on the opposite sideline if the Jaguars don't execute. Having said that, not having to face Nick Bosa could most definitely give their offensive line an edge.