NFL
By George Lopez
When: Saturday, January 14, 2023, 8:15 pm ET on NBC
Where: TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL.
The Los Angeles Chargers travel to Jacksonville to take on the AFC South Champions Jaguars in the NFL Wild Card round. The Chargers come into the game with a 10-7 record, having won 4 of their last 5 games. They ended the regular season with a 31-28 defeat to their division rival Denver Broncos. The Jaguars, winners of 5 straight and 6 of their last 7 games won the AFC South with a 9-8 record. This will be the 2nd meeting between the 2 teams, with the Jaguars coming away with a 38-10 win in week 3. Both teams will look to carry the momentum they bring into this wild card game.
Chargers Offense vs Jaguars Defense
Quarterback Justin Herbert leads the Chargers offense. On the season, Herbert passed for 4739 with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. In their week 3 game, Herbert completed 25-45 passes for 297 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. The Chargers are one of the top teams in the NFL throwing passes behind the line of scrimmage. RB Austin Ekeler led the team with 107 receptions for 722 yards and 5 touchdowns. Herbert looks for Ekeler in the passing game more than his wide receivers, targeting Ekeler 127 times on the season. When Herbert went to his wide receivers, Mike Williams and Keenan Allen led the way with 63 and 66 receptions respectively. Injuries have hampered both Williams and Allen’s availability this season as Williams missed 4 games and Allen missed 7 games. The Chargers have listed Williams as questionable for the game against Jacksonville with a back injury suffered in week 18, though he is expected to play.
Ekeler has been the featured back in the Chargers running game. This season, Ekeler rushed for 915 yards with 13 touchdowns. RB Joshua Kelley and Sony Michel are the primary backs who will spell Ekeler in the backfield. Ekeler averaged 12 carries per game this season with a 4.5 average per carry. Combined with his receiving totals, Ekeler averages 96 total yards per game for the Chargers offense. He will be a primary focus for the Jaguars defense this weekend.
In their first matchup this season, the Jaguars held the Chargers to 26 yards rushing on 12 carries. Ekeler was a non-factor in the game as the Jaguars held him to only 5 yards on 4 carries. On the season, the Jaguars defense allowed 114 yards rushing per game. LB Foyesade Oluokun leads the Jaguars defense with 184 tackles this season and figures to play a key role in containing Ekeler and the Chargers running game. LB Josh Allen led the Jaguars with 6 sacks this season. Look for the Jaguars to mix in blitzes to put pressure on Herbert.
Jaguars Offense vs Chargers Defense
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrance had a breakout 2nd season, passing for 4113 yards with 25 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Under the leadership of Lawrence, the Jaguars averaged 23 points a game. In the passing game, Lawrence’s primary targets are WR Christian Kirk (84 receptions for 1108 yards), WR Say Jones (82 receptions for 823 yards), and TE Evan Engram (73 receptions for 766 yards). In their week 3 game against the Chargers, Lawrence completed 28-39 passes for 262 yards and 3 touchdowns. Zay Jones led all receivers for Jacksonville with 10 receptions for 85 yards and 1 touchdown. The Chargers did not register a sack on Lawrence in their first game. Edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack will look to put pressure on Lawrence while maintaining outside discipline to keep Lawrence in the pocket.
Jaguars RB Travis Etienne led the team with 1125 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns. In the season final against the Tennessee Titans, Etienne was held to 17 yards on 7 carries. A key for the Chargers defense will be to contain Etienne and the Jaguars running game. The Chargers defensive lineman will look to get off their blocks and close up running lanes. The inside linebackers will look to plug up the inside running lanes. If Bosa and Mack do not keep outside discipline, Etienne and the other Jaguars running backs will be able to bounce outside against the Chargers defense.
Prediction
The Jaguars were able to bounce back from a 3-7 start to win the AFC South by winning 6 of their last 7 games. The Chargers won 4 of their last 5 games. Both teams are playing some of their best football of the season and will look to continue when they face off this weekend. Look for this to be a low-scoring game with the Chargers coming away with a tough, hard-fought victory.
Chargers. 20
Jaguars 14
