NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
It’s Week 4 in the NFL and the 3-0 Philadelphia Eagles will take on the 2-1 Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday. Yes, you read that correctly. The Eagles and Jags in just 3 weeks have a combined record of 5-1. Both teams are carrying a lot on their shoulders and have played well with that chip. The Jags, with Lawrence leading the way, have been able to put up points on some of the top defenses. The defense has a top-ranked unit when stopping the run, but what’s to be expected with Doug Pederson leading the charge?
The Eagles have shown what a great offseason can do for a team. Jalen Hurts’ situation as the starting QB was in doubt before the season began but now, he’s putting up MVP-type numbers and a new contract should be on the way. The defense is showing their teeth and this can be looked at as another revenge game with Pederson on the other side of the field.
If this is not the Game of the Week, I don’t know what is.
Philadelphia Eagles Offense vs Jacksonville Jaguars Defense
The Eagles are showing out. With A.J. Brown now in tow, the Eagles’ offense is soaring. Jalen Hurts is having an MVP season and the Eagles are running the ball well. Last week against the Washington Commanders, receiver DeVonta Smith finally had his breakout game. He caught 8 passes for 169 yards and 1TD. If they can get that level of production against the Jags, they will end Week 4 still undefeated. For the year, the Eagles are ranked No. 1 in the NFL with 447 yards per game.
The Jags have bounced back after a crushing defeat in week 1 with wins over the Indianapolis Colts and the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3. The Jags rank No. 1 in the NFL in stopping the run and this is major with the Eagles entering with one of the best rushing attacks in the league. Can the Jags contain Hurts and Miles Sanders? Where they will need to tighten up will be in their secondary where they give up the 21st most Passing Yards.
Philadelphia Eagles Defense vs Jacksonville Jaguars Offense
The Eagles may have finally found their stride on the defensive side of the ball. Their first game against the Detroit Lions was as not a good look for the unit but in back-to-back weeks, they managed to put the clamps on the Vikings and Commanders’ offenses. The Jags pose a different problem with Trevor Lawerence. While not much of a runner in terms of Lamar Jackson, if need be, Lawrence can get around the edges. Also, the name of the game should be blitz. The Eagles racked up 9 sacks against Wentz and will need to attack Lawerneve with the same mentality.
The Jags are a stunning 2-1 on the season but what’s to be expected with an offensive genius like Doug Pederson leading this team? Lawrence is proving his worth and that ground game with James Robinson leading the way has been outstanding. Look at it this way. The Jags’ offense put up 22 points on the Commanders. The following week they placed 24 on the Colts and another 38 on the Chargers. This offense is legit.
Game Prediction
It’s safe to say that these are not the Jacksonville Jaguars we’ve become accustomed to over the last few years. This team is hungry. They’ve knocked off two AFC teams many believe would be vying for the right to represent the Conference in the Super Bowl. The Eagles, much like the Colts, Commanders, and Chargers should not take them lightly.
The Eagles, on the other hand, are putting the rest of the NFC on notice with their 3-0 record. Much like the Jags, this was unexpected. The offense is clicking on all cylinders with the play of Hurts, Brown, and Smith. The defense is finally showing signs of life. This should be a great game with the Philadelphia Eagles pulling out the victory.
