Jaguars vs. Raiders: 3 causes for concern against Oakland

The Jags are hoping to end a five-game skid. Here are three causes for concern this Sunday as they face off against Oakland in Week 15.

After an awfully grueling month of November and a tough start to the month of December, the Jacksonville Jaguars travel out west to face off against the Oakland Raiders. With five straight losses by 17 points or more, the Jaguars are looking to just get some traction under their feet. Hopefully, a trip to the west coast can set the team straight.

Here are three causes for concern this Sunday as the Jags face off against Oakland in Week 15:

RB Josh Jacobs

For Jags fans, this is not what you like to see. As a rookie of the year candidate at running back, Josh Jacobs has had a very impressive campaign to start his NFL career. His status for the game is currently unknown as he is dealing with a shoulder injury that has plagued him since Week 7 and sidelined him last Sunday.

However, that hasn’t hindered the rookie’s success. The former Alabama star tailback has ran all over NFL defenses averaging 4.9 yards per carry on his way to a 1,000-yard season as well as seven rushing touchdowns. If Jacobs is a go Sunday against Jacksonville, the Jaguars’ run defense will likely be in for another long game.

A hostile environment

This Sunday’s game in Oakland will be one of the most expensive tickets to purchase in the Jaguars’ franchise history. That’s because this will be the last Raiders’ home game in Oakland. Next season, the Raiders will make their move to Las Vegas. With that in mind, Raiders fans have flocked from all over the country to see the final game at Oakland Coliseum.

This will no doubt he one of the loudest and most hostile environments that the team has ever faced. It will be key to have the team prepared for such a setting. After all, the Oakland fan base isn’t exactly known for being the most mellow group of people.

The West Coast

The Jaguars’ nemesis, the West Coast, has plagued the team for several years. The last time Jacksonville was victorious on the West Coast was way back in 2005. As Associated Press’ beat writer Mark Long found out, rookie Jawaan Taylor was just eight years old at the time.

All streaks come to an end, maybe 2019 is the year the Jaguars get this west Coast monkey off of their backs and fly home winners. I certainly wouldn’t put it past them. It would be the most Jaguar thing ever, ending a losing streak in the one place they seemingly can never win in.