The Jacksonville Jaguars will be taking on a Los Angeles Chargers team they’ve struggled against in the past and it’s almost a certainty that a win won’t come easy if the Jags prevail. However, the Chargers simply aren’t what they used to be on offense and have become more of a defensive group, which means the Jags’ defense will be the unit that has to step up the most in all probability this Sunday.
Here are three Jaguars to watch on offense this Sunday:
Gardner Minshew II
“Minshew Mania” has returned and the rookie quarterback should basically treat his opportunity as an audition to start at quarterback in 2020 as well. Gardner Minshew II was officially named the team’s starter after replacing a struggling Nick Foles midway through last Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Bucs, and many are beginning to wonder if it’s the last we’ll see of the veteran as a starter.
As for Minshew, he’ll be looking to continue where he left off earlier this season after winning six Rookie of the Week awards, a Rookie of the Month award (for September) and going 4-4 as a starter. He has a grand opportunity to make a huge statement upon his return by going toe-to-toe with veteran Philip Rivers and beating a Chargers franchise that has simply had the Jags number in the past with a 7-3 record against them.
RB Leonard Fournette
With the Jags season going terribly wrong, Leonard Fournette’s incredible season is going under the radar. The third-year rusher will enter Sunday’s game with 989 rushing yards, just 11 yards shy of the 1,000-yard mark.
With changes likely to come in terms of the staff, Fournette should be motivated to close the season right and prove to the next potential regime that he is a big part of the Jags’ young nucleus of talent. Additionally, with him having the fourth-most fan votes at the running back position in the Pro Bowl race, he could use a strong performance to close the gap between him and those in front of him. With the Chargers having the No. 18 ranked rushing defense, that shouldn’t be an issue for the bruising tailback.
WR DJ Chark Jr.
Like Fournette, receiver DJ Chark Jr. is closing in on the 1,000-yard mark with 881 receiving yards and only needs 119 yards to hit the mark. He’s been the Jags’ most improved player in 2019, and with Minshew back on the field, it could help the young receiver drastically as the two have a strong bond, especially on extended plays.
Chark will be up against an elite passing defense, which means he may have to flourish in the short passing game more. With players like Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram rushing the passer and Casey Hayward at the cornerback position, it would speak volumes if Chark had success Sunday because a lot of receivers haven’t been able to do so in 2019.
