The Jacksonville Jaguars travel to Los Angeles to play the Chargers this weekend as the team desperately searches for a way to get back into the win column. After losing five straight, the Jaguars are 1-5 and any momentum picked up in that opening weekend victory against Indianapolis is now long in the rear-view mirror.
If they are to save their season, they need to do it now. Another loss before the bye week would leave the team 1-6 with a much tougher slate of games following the bye. In a nutshell, that could mean the 2020 season may be over for Jacksonville before the mid-way point of their campaign.
For the team to win today, they simply must produce more offense than they have shown lately as they’ve lost three of the last four by at least two touchdowns. Here are three players on offense who will have to step up for the Jaguars to emerge victorious against the Chargers on the West Coast for the first time:
QB Gardner Minshew II
After a report from insider Ian Rapoport surfaced suggesting that the Jags’ could bench Minshew Week 7 if his struggles continue, Sunday’s game against the Chargers might be the most important of his career.
Simply put, Minshew has looked a shell of the player fans saw in 2019 and Week 1 of 2020. Rattled early and often, the turnovers that we saw last year have been damning this season, committing eight total turnovers during the teams five-game slide.
Minshew has the tools and the upside to be a viable quarterback in the NFL, but if he is unable to keep the ball out of the oppositions hands again this week the leash will undoubtedly get shorter. That could especially be the case if Doug Marrone endures another loss, which could leave him searching for options to cool his hot seat.
WR Laviska Shenault Jr.
The team has struck gold with their second-round pick from 2020. Laviska Shenault Jr has done a little bit of everything for this Jaguars team. Having lined up outside, in the slot, in the backfield and even in the wildcat at points in this season, the offense has the potential to run through this rookie receiver for years to come.
When asked what position he played, the former Colorado man defined himself as “a playmaker” who loves the pressure. There will be plenty of pressure on him this week as offensive coordinator Jay Gruden will look to dial up plays which takes the responsibility away from Minshew’s lone shoulders.
OT Cam Robinson
Melvin Ingram (who lines up everywhere) is back, which means that left tackle Cam Robinson is in for one of his toughest games of the season. With the fourth-year lineman playing with a contract negotiation or free-agency in mind, a strong showing against one of the league’s most versatile pass-rushers will only help matters.
Add in the abilities of two-time Pro Bowler, Joey Bosa, and it’s clear the Jags’ offensive line will have a daunting task on their hands. Protecting Minshew has to be emphasized with such talent on the Chargers’ defense, especially when considering the young quarterback’s ball security problems.
If Jacksonville is able to remain strong up front, they may not have to lean so heavily on Minshew, who has thrown at least 40 passes in five-straight defeats. With Robinson being an impressive run-blocker throughout his NFL career, this would be a great time to play to his strength and get running back James Robinson going again, too.