With a 1-5 record after five straight losses, the Jacksonville Jaguars have reached a desperation point earlier than many expected in 2020. Another defeat today and the team will go into their bye week with a disappointing 1-6 record, which would keep them in strong contention for the first overall pick.

Today’s matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers presents a difficult challenge. Their rookie quarterback has lit up the league in the past two weeks, whilst the return of edge rusher Melvin Ingram will make them a much tougher opponent on the other side of the ball.

If the Jaguars are to win today, they will need strong showings across the board, but these are three players who simply must have an impact for Jacksonville to leave Los Angeles with a victory:

LB Joe Schobert

Linebacker Myles Jack has been ruled out of today’s game, which heaps pressure on the Jaguars’ high-profile signing of the summer. Joe Schobert has struggled often without Jack in the lineup, so defensive coordinator Todd Wash will be hoping for better play out of the veteran.

The Chargers have weapons littered throughout their offense and it’s hard to find many more dependable than tight end Hunter Henry. Schobert’s ability to cover will be tested throughout this game, but it’s a duel he will need to come out on top of if the Jaguars are to have a chance of winning this game.

CB Sidney Jones IV

Featured in last week’s edition of this post prior to the loss against the Lions, Sidney Jones IV remains a key piece to watch on this Jaguars defense after multiple impressive showings. He was activated off the practice squad just three weeks ago and hasn’t looked back since his first start with the Jags, which was a solid performance that came against the Houston Texans.

In that game, Jones finished with one interception, three pass breakups (including one tip that turned into a pick), which makes him the only Jaguars defensive back with four passes defensed in a single game for the last four years. That said, he’s made it clear he has talent.

With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams posing as one of the best receiver duos in the entire league, Jones will likely have his hands full for much of the afternoon. If he is able to have another strong performance, he will likely earn himself a long-term spot in the Jaguars secondary.

DT Taven bryan

With Josh Allen back for this game, rookie edge-rusher K’Lavon Chaisson will likely see his snap count fall again as both are rarely on the field at the same time. That means, former first-round pick Taven Bryan is going to have to force pressure through the middle.

Defensive coordinator Todd Wash rarely blitzes on first and second down, which means Bryan will play a vital role in generating pressure as part of the team’s four-man rush. With a rookie in DaVon Hamilton set to start next to him Sunday, the Jags will really need Bryan to up his play and begin to show the team why he was drafted in the first round in 2018.