Previewing a Christmas Eve showdown in Tampa
The Buccaneers (-2.5) host the Jaguars (+2.5) this Sunday in Tampa in a matchup that options two groups which have had a lot totally different months of December up to now. The Bucs are winners of three straight whereas the Jags have misplaced their final three.
To preview this Christmas Eve matchup, we sat down with Gus Logue of Big Cat Country to get a more in-depth have a look at this Jaguars group.
1. With Trevor Lawrence’s standing for this week’s sport unsure, what’s going to the Jags offensive sport plan be if Lawrence can’t go?
As offensive coordinator Press Taylor hinted this week, the sport plan actually received’t look a lot totally different. Taylor claimed it’s as a result of Lawrence and C.J. Beathard like among the identical issues, however Jacksonville’s coaches have needed to alter play calling to cover the offensive line all 12 months. You can anticipate to see loads of RPOs and fast sport on Sunday, although don’t be shocked if Beathard tries his greatest Lawrence impression with a deep shot off play motion.
2. Jacksonville has been a cold and hot group for many of the season. What do you assume has been the largest cause for the inconsistencies thus far this season?
This is a troublesome query with out an apparent reply, even for those who requested Doug Pederson, however right here’s my greatest guess. Jacksonville’s playoff push final 12 months was magical, however that 6-1 run to finish the common season and dramatic Wild Card spherical victory forged a spell. I believe folks within the building received overconfident within the present roster, believing it was nearer to competition than actuality. But there aren’t many stars on the group — kicker Josh Lambo is the one Jaguar to earn All-Pro recognition since 2017 — and when stable function gamers attempt to do extra, it’s simply resulted in brutal miscommunication errors. The Jaguars have a franchise quarterback and good sport planners on all sides of the ball, so the infrastructure is in place, however this roster simply wants extra expertise. The group continues to be only some years faraway from a full-on rebuild.
3. What would you say is the Jags largest power and largest weak point?
The Jags’ largest power is its passing sport. It could also be arduous to inform due to the group’s small market and the quarterback’s delicate method, however Trevor Lawrence places the offense on his again as a lot as any quarterback within the league. The largest weak point for Jacksonville is depth, which will be mentioned about just about each group at this level within the season, nevertheless it’s extra obvious after the Jaguars entrance workplace relaxed throughout free company and spent its Day 2 picks on a third-string tight finish and third-string working again.
4. When this sport, what matchup is your X Factor that can decide the winner of the sport?
Jaguars heart Luke Fortner towards Buccaneers defensive deal with Vita Vea. Fortner was a third-round choose final 12 months however has struggled mightily within the run sport and towards bodily imposing defenders. That sort of opponent is frequent in NFL trenches, however Vea has a case for the most effective huge man within the sport. In normal, Jacksonville’s inside O-line has been a obvious weak point this season, and everybody is aware of the Bucs can have a stout entrance seven so long as Todd Bowles is round.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
5. According to DraftKings, the Bucs are a slight home favourite at -2.5. The Bucs are presently driving a 3 sport win streak whereas the Jags have misplaced 3 straight. What do you consider this line and what’s your rating prediction?
I’m not shocked it’s a close to choose ‘em since we don’t know whether or not Trevor Lawrence will play. My rating prediction is 22-15 Bucs. Each group’s respective streak figures to finish quickly, merely because of variance, however the Bucs are clearly trending in the best route and the Jags usually are not. Jacksonville’s numerous accidents will probably be an excessive amount of to beat, even when Lawrence does play.
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