In making ready for Sunday’s matchup in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Big Cat Country’s Gus Logue and I sat down for a brief Q&A for each other’s publications.
Check out the Q&A beneath, and make sure to try DraftKings Sportsbook for all of your betting wants this season.
1. The Jaguars are on a two-game skid, dropping to the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns. What about these fellow AFC North groups have brought about probably the most bother for the Jaguars?
The back-to-back losses in opposition to backup quarterbacks had been fairly tough. Jacksonville’s protection isn’t speaking and enjoying collectively in addition to they had been to begin the season, although accidents to the secondary (Tyson Campbell, Andre Cisco, Tre Herndon) haven’t helped. Jaguars linebackers are flying round to attempt to clear up the mess, however that’s left Jacksonville inclined to play motion passes. On such performs, Cincinnati’s Jake Browning accomplished 8 of 10 makes an attempt for 114 yards in Week 13 earlier than Cleveland’s Joe Flacco went 8-for-12 for 133 yards and two touchdowns in Week 14.
2. The Jaguars rank No. 8 for defensive DVOA. What are the strengths of this protection? Are there weaknesses? Where would possibly the Ravens be capable to exploit them?
The energy is run protection — Jacksonville ranks second in success fee allowed on the bottom this season. Their motto is, “Stop the run, have more fun.” As in, in the event that they win on early downs, the move rush may have a better time on late downs. So it’ll be crucial for the Ravens to remain forward on schedule and never get too far behind the sticks.
An space the place the Ravens might exploit the Jaguars is on man-blocking ideas. According to Sports Info Solutions, Jacksonville ranks 1st in EPA per play allowed in opposition to zone runs however thirty first in opposition to hole runs; Baltimore is third in utilization of hole runs and Gus Edwards is top-10 in makes an attempt, yards, and success fee on such performs.
3. The Jaguars might be with out vast receiver Christian Kirk on Sunday. What did he do greatest for the Jaguars offense? How will the Jaguars attempt to mitigate his absence?
Kirk is greatest at being a security blanket for Trevor Lawrence, particularly on late downs with strain coming. It’s honest to marvel if Kirk is well worth the contract he signed with Jacksonville, however if you watch the chemistry he has with the franchise quarterback, it’s exhausting to understate his impression. Evan Engram will proceed to step up in Kirk’s absence as a trusted short-yard goal for Lawrence, whereas sixth-round rookie Parker Washington and return specialist Jamal Agnew will share snaps out of the slot. That stated, Travis Etienne and Calvin Ridley particularly want to show in large performances on Sunday night time.
4. Who are two Jaguars gamers (one offense/on protection) Ravens followers ought to pay particular consideration to on this recreation that aren’t family names?
On offense, heart Luke Fortner is one to observe. He was taken 40 spots after Tyler Linderbaum in final 12 months’s draft, and he wants an excellent recreation on the bottom to assist Travis Etienne get going in opposition to Baltimore’s proficient DT duo. On protection, veteran slot nook Tre Herndon is anticipated to make his return from concussion protocol. He’s an underrated facet of Jacksonville’s complete protection, not simply in opposition to the move, because of his capacity to suit the run and blitz off the sting.
5. The line for this recreation, in response to DraftKings Sportsbook, is Ravens -3.5. Do you agree with the Ravens being this sizable of highway favorites? What are your ideas?
I’m a bit of bit stunned the Ravens aren’t favored by one other level or two, to be trustworthy. The Jaguars have been good at bouncing again from adversity underneath Doug Pederson, however with so many gamers (together with Trevor Lawrence) ailing from accidents, this crew doesn’t appear to have what it takes to compete with the NFL’s greatest. The Ravens have been my Super Bowl decide for the reason that spring so I anticipate a Baltimore Beatdown on Sunday Night Football.
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