The Green Bay Packers are back on the road this week, set to take on the 2-5 Jacksonville Jaguars.
Currently riding a three-game win streak, the Packers are the clear favorites, but they shouldn’t overlook an opponent that poses some potential problems.
Following an 0-4 start, the Jaguars are playing their best ball of the season, having won two of their last three. Jacksonville had its best performance of the year in last week’s 32-16 win over the New England Patriots in London.
While Green Bay is still expected to win, no team should be taken lightly, especially one with as many offensive weapons as the Jaguars.
If they hope to keep their win streak alive, the Packers will need to hold their own in these three key matchups:
CB Jaire Alexander vs WR Brian Thomas Jr.
There was a lot of talk between Alexander and Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs heading into their highly-anticipated matchup in Week 7. But Green Bay’s premier corner backed it up once the game started, not allowing Diggs to catch a single pass against his coverage. Alexander has looked like a shutdown corner of late, but now faces a unique challenge against the most productive rookie receiver in the NFL. Thomas leads all rookies with 513 receiving yards and is tied with Marvin Harrison Jr. with four touchdowns. The rookie has been a great addition to the Jacksonville offense, but he will be tested both mentally and physically on Sunday. Can Alexander get under the rookie’s skin and deliver another shutdown performance? We shall see.
WR Romeo Doubs vs CB Tyson Campbell
Let’s look at another WR-CB matchup that will be fun to watch this week. Since his one-game suspension, Doubs has responded with two really nice performances. In wins over the Cardinals and Texans, he has led the team in every major receiving category with 11 receptions on 14 targets for 143 yards, nine first downs, and two touchdowns. While Doubs hopes to remain a focal point of the offense, it won’t be easy whenever he finds himself lining up across from Campbell. The Jaguars top-corner returned to the lineup last week after missing four games with a hamstring injury. Campbell doesn’t allow many catches, and when he does, the damage is minimal.
Green Bay’s Tackles vs Jacksonville’s Edge Rushers
The Jaguars have one of the NFL’s best edge pass-rushing duos in Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. Both rank in the top 15 among edge rushers in quarterback pressures and have combined for 8.5 sacks this season. It’s safe to say that both pose a significant challenge for Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker. Tom has played at a Pro Bowl level in 2024 but has experienced some hiccups over the past few weeks. Meanwhile, Walker has been solid at the left tackle spot this year but did surrender a sack and three pressures last week. The Packers need their tackles to lock down the edges on Sunday, so Jordan Love has plenty of time to expose the Jaguars’ 31st-ranked pass defense.