The Jacksonville Jaguars head into Week 16 against Las Vegas with some offensive momentum following a productive Sunday in their loss to the New York Jets.
One of the key storylines from the Jaguars’ defeat is their franchise record-setting rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who has emerged as one of the best young playmakers in the league. Jacksonville’s first-round selection will be a high-level target for a healthy Trevor Lawrence in 2025 and beyond.
This week against the Raiders, the Jaguars have a chance to add another win to their lowly season total against a team projected to be selected within the first three slots in April’s NFL Draft.
Jaguars Wire takes a closer look at the key matchups ahead of Sunday’s late afternoon bout with Desmond Ridder and the Raiders.
Jaguars secondary and linebackers vs. Raiders TE Brock Bowers
This weekend will feature two highly regarded rookie skill players, Thomas and Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, who have quickly become franchise cornerstones on their respective teams.
Bowers himself is on his way to a record-breaking rookie season as he is just over 100 yards away from breaking Mike Ditka’s rookie record for receiving yards by a tight end at 1,076.
Against a Jaguars defense that ranks last in yards allowed (396.4), Bowers has a good chance to break the record this weekend. However, there is a way to keep this from happening for at least another week.
If Jacksonville wants to slow down Bowers, match zone and heavy man coverage will be key. One idea is to allow Tyson Campbell to travel with Bowers and limit his productivity or play match coverage on the second level against Foye Oluokun, Devin Lloyd, or rookie nickelback Jarrian Jones, who we highlighted in this week’s All-22 review.
Either way, Bowers is the best player on the field for the Raiders at the moment. Limiting him would clear a path for a potential Jaguars victory in the Nevada desert.
Jaguars RB Tank Bisgby vs. Raiders defense
With Travis Etienne Jr. back in the starting lineup, Tank Bigsby’s rushing production has varied. His highest rushing total in his last five games is 55 yards. Yet, he continues to create yards after contact and make defenders miss in space at a steady clip.
The Raiders’ rushing defense could provide Bisgby with a productive game. According to Next Gen Stats, they have the 10th-highest missed crackle rate in the league at 13.9 percent. Bigsby has the third-highest missed tackle rate in the league at 36 percent.
Those numbers translate on film as well. Bigsby has a strong contract balance and jittery footwork that allows him to create yards in space consistently. A noisy day from the former Auburn Tiger tailback could spell success for Jacksonville.
Jaguars QB Mac Jones vs. Raiders QB (TBD)
Close your eyes football fans. This is not the superstar quarterback matchup you might hope for this weekend. One of the paths to success for either team is which signal-caller can play a cleaner game.
There is a possibility that Aidan O’Connell will return to the starting lineup for the Raiders this weekend. However, Desmond Ridder could be in line to start again if O’Connell can’t go (or if Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce were to make another quarterback change).
Ridder was efficient on quick-tempo passes against his former team on Monday night, the Atlanta Falcons, going 11-of-15 for 114 yards and one touchdown in that respect, according to Next Gen Stats.
Yet, he also demonstrated why he is already on the third team within one league year. Far too often, he put the ball in harm’s way and made inaccurate throws.
O’Connell doesn’t come without risk either but is a more effective vertical passer, potentially allowing Bowers to see more production downfield. However, neither are particularly great options.
Jones is also a quarterback prone to making questionable throws, including two interceptions against the Jets. He enters the weekend with a four-to-seven touchdown-to-interception ratio on the season.
While he did give Thomas, second-year tight end Brenton Strange and wide receiver Parker Washington chances to make plays, Jones’ knack for turning the ball over at the worst times continues to plague him.
That said, if Jones were to put up similar numbers to what he did in place of Trevor Lawrence against Houston three weeks ago, there is a sound opportunity for Jacksonville to get its fourth win of the season in Sin City.