Getting Evan Engram, Calvin Ridley involved: Keys to victory for Jaguars in Week 16

1. Pressure Baker Mayfield, make the Buccaneers offense one-dimensional

Baker Mayfield has had a bounce-back season. The first overall pick in 2018, Mayfield made it look like he was going to be the face of the Cleveland Browns for years to come early in his career. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury hindered his performance in 2020, and by 2022, he was phased out in favor of Deshaun Watson.

Following his departure from Cleveland, it seemed like Mayfield was damaged goods, flopping for the Carolina Panthers not long after they traded for him. Similarly, he had an underwhelming stint with the Los Angeles Rams — he did lead them to a huge win over the Las Vegas Raiders — and wasn't in high demand in free agency.

Without any better options, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took a flyer on Mayfield and it's paid off big time. The former Oklahoma Sooner isn't necessarily a top-10 quarterback and his stats have been padded by garbage time but he's most definitely shown signs of the player he was early in his career.

With the New Orleans Saints losing to the Rams, the Bucs, like the Jags, find themselves in win-now mode. Coming out on top in Week 16 would give their playoff chances a boost. The Jaguars will then need to pressure him and force him into making mistakes.

In particular, the Jaguars' defensive line must create penetration up front, shut down the running game and make Tampa Bay one-dimensional. If the Buccaneers abandon the run, Josh Allen and Travon Walker will then get opportunities to bring the heat.

The point being that front seven will need to have a great day for the Jaguars to have a shot at winning and ending the three-game losing streak they're currently riding.

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