Packers vs. Jaguars Preview
The Packers are set to face the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Jacksonville is riding high after a road victory against the New England Patriots in London, while Green Bay looks to extend their three-game winning streak to four. While the Jaguars might not be the most intimidating opponent, every game counts, and letting your guard down can give any team a chance to perform well. That said, if the Packers can maintain the level of play they’ve shown in recent weeks, they should be in a strong position to secure a road win.
Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence performed well against New England’s defense, but he faced minimal pressure and wasn’t touched at all. If the Packers’ pass rush can put the same pressure on Lawrence as they did on C.J. Stroud, then he will have about as much success as the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. On the flip side, Jacksonville’s pass rush isn’t as tough as Houston’s, ranking near the bottom of the league. This could give Jordan Love more control over the offense and the chance to really light it up.
While the Packer’s defense made C.J. Stroud’s passing game look nearly nonexistent, they gave Joe Mixon a bit more room to operate, allowing him to rack up 115 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Jaguars, missing Travis Etienne, turned to Tank Bigsby, who’s been carving out a larger role even when Etienne is healthy, especially against the Patriots’ struggling run defense. Packers fans can relate to that experience, as they still have nightmares about Raheem Mostert running wild in a 49ers uniform. Just last week, Bigsby mirrored Mixon’s success, rushing for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Although the Packers had a better run defense last year, they’ll need to step up and contain whoever lines up in the backfield on Sunday to prevent any explosive plays.
The Packers are looking to keep their momentum going on the road in Jacksonville. Will their run defense rise to the challenge against the talented Jaguars backfield? Can Green Bay’s pass rush maintain its disruptiveness? Tune in this Sunday, October 27, 2024, on FOX at 1 p.m. ET to find out.
