Welcome to Huge Cat Nation’s employees roundtable!
At present, we’re previewing Week 11’s matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Los Angeles Chargers at EverBank Stadium.
Query 1: Jacksonville blew the largest lead in franchise historical past (19 factors) in last week’s loss to Houston. How did that recreation have an effect on your rest-of-season expectations?
Dillon Appleman: Early within the season, the struggles felt improvable with penalties and basic miscues being the primary criticism. Nonetheless, because the season has progressed, we now have seen extra flaws from a personnel perspective that aren’t actually fixable in-season. Sunday’s disastrous collapse simply cemented the thought that this roster is simply too flawed.
Commercial
Travis Holmes: The Houston recreation truthfully did nothing to maneuver my season projection for the workforce, as I initially had them profitable 9 to 10 video games with any harm luck. They’ve been excruciatingly unlucky in that space over the previous 4 weeks, transferring me nearer to that nine-win vary – simply lacking the playoffs. I nonetheless see 4 wins remaining on this schedule, although none are assured. If that’s the result that materializes, followers might not have appreciated the journey to get there. It could present clear progress whereas additionally elevating questions concerning the way forward for this rebuild.
Gus Logue: I beforehand anticipated Jacksonville to make the postseason, whether or not as a divisional winner or a Wild Card workforce, however now I’m not so positive. The offense could also be ‘ok’ as soon as Brenton Unusual returns however the protection doesn’t look able to stopping anybody. Jacksonville might need the league’s worst depth at DE, DT, and Security. As Dillon alluded to, the Jaguars simply don’t have the horses, and the younger teaching employees may use extra expertise. I believe the workforce will barely miss the playoffs.
Henry Zimmer: Sunday’s loss confirmed me that this workforce actually isn’t ok to compete with the top-level groups. The Jags proceed to lose in opposition to backup quarterbacks and groups that they need to simply beat. When you can’t be the dangerous groups, why would anybody suppose you may constantly beat the great ones?
Query 2: What’s a matchup you’re wanting ahead to watching?
Dillon: Justin Herbert vs. Devin Lloyd. Herbert has already greater than doubled his interception complete (8) from a season in the past (3) and there are nonetheless seven video games left in his season. A handful of these have been when he’s concentrating on shallow routes in the course of the sector, the place Devin Lloyd has made QBs pay all season lengthy. His play recognition in that space may very well be key for a protection that desperately wants a spark after an abysmal efficiency every week in the past.
Commercial
Travis: Weirdly, the matchup I’m most wanting ahead to on Sunday isn’t between the Jaguars versus an opponent. It’s between Justin Herbert and his pure tendency to increase performs. Herbert LOVES to carry onto the ball, trying to create an explosive play within the passing recreation. However lacking left sort out Joe Alt final week, he was sacked 5 instances in opposition to Pittsburgh regardless of a profession low 2.21-second time to throw (his solely week beneath 2.6 seconds this 12 months). All through a lot of the season, he has hovered round 3 seconds per throw, permitting defenses extra alternatives to deliver down the athletic quarterback. With just lately acquired Trevor Penning more likely to begin this week, does Herbert revert to his regular tempo, thus permitting this Jacksonville entrance a uncommon alternative for a multi-sack recreation?
Gus: Josh Hines-Allen in opposition to whoever the Chargers begin at LT, whether or not it’s Penning or Austin Deculus. JHA solely wants a half sack to interrupt the franchise’s all-time file. This might be a fairly splendid spot to do it. He’s at EverBank Stadium, enjoying a premier quarterback, with a powerful matchup benefit, in a borderline must-win recreation. Get it executed, 41!
Henry: I might be watching to see which quarterback outduels the opposite. Trevor Lawrence performed awfully within the playoffs however acquired it again and gained that recreation. Outdoors of that, Herbert has been the higher quarterback since they each have been drafted. Hopefully Lawrence can win the day and silence some haters (like myself) after latest weeks.
Query 3: Who would be the greatest X-factor?
Dillon: I’m going to reply Trevor Lawrence for this query till he lastly turns into the X-factor for a win. Within the final 4 weeks, Lawrence accomplished 58% of his passes for simply 4 passing touchdowns. On the season, Trevor is second to final in each of these classes amongst QBs with 9+ video games this 12 months. Solely rookie Cam Ward has worse numbers. The justifications are aplenty, and comprehensible to an extent, however the workforce wants Lawrence to start out overcoming the negatives of others and determine a approach to get a win this week in opposition to the Chargers at dwelling.
Commercial
Travis: For me, it must be proper sort out Anton Harrison. At finest, Harrison might play on Sunday, hobbled with knee and ankle accidents. At worst, he’s liable to lacking the matchup after not practising on Wednesday and Thursday. With Walker Little more likely to want extra operating again or tight finish assist to decelerate the frenzy on the other aspect, a hobbled or absent proper sort out creates a disastrous matchup when going through a Chargers protection ranked seventh within the league with 29 sacks.
Gus: Chargers TE Oronde Gadsden II. The dynamic rookie tight finish has successfully changed Keenan Allen as Herbert’s beneath security valve, and he’s been a extra environment friendly goal than the likes of Tyler Warren, Harold Fannin Jr., and Colston Loveland. Gadsden is the true deal. That’s dangerous information for Jacksonville, which ranks within the backside 5 in catches, yards, and TDs allowed to tight ends this season.
Henry: This week’s X-Issue for me must be the Jacksonville coaches. Can Liam Coen and crew regroup from the failure that was Sunday — and the handful of poor performances outdoors of that — and win a recreation at dwelling in opposition to an excellent workforce? Going in opposition to a Jim Harbaugh-coached squad might be an excellent litmus take a look at for the Jacksonville coaches.
Remaining rating prediction?
Dillon: Jaguars 17, Chargers 27
Travis: Jaguars 17, Chargers 27
Gus: Jaguars 23, Chargers 24
Henry: Jaguars 21, Chargers 35
What are your Week 11 predictions, Jaguars followers? Tell us within the feedback!
