Tag: Travon Walker

Former UGA No. 1 pick named as Jaguars most improved player

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive end, No. 1 pick in 2022 NFL draft named as Jacksonville Jaguars most improved player

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive end Travon Walker surprised quite a few folks when he was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2022 NFL draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars, who drafted Walker, really valued Walker’s physical traits and potential.

Now, after his third season in the NFL, Walker is fulfilling much of his immense potential. Many folks criticized the Jaguars for selecting Walker, but he has been productive and durable.

“Walker has quietly ascended in his third season in the NFL,” said Thomas Valentine of PFF. “He registered comparable pass-rushing numbers to a year ago, 56 pressures and 10 sacks, but his run defense really improved.”

Walker posted 10 sacks despite playing for a Jaguars team that did not hold many leads this season. PFF gave Walker a career-best 69.2 run defense grade in 2024. Walker’s strides as a run defender are evident, and he should continue to improve as he refine his technique.

Walker is frequently compared to the Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who was the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of Michigan. Hutchinson had a faster start in his career and plays for a team that has leads much more frequently, but Walker may be closing the gap. Hutchinson suffered an unfortunate setback, a broken leg, that wiped out much of his 2024 season.

PFF is optimistic on Walker’s future outlook. “If his improvement across the board continues, Walker could be one of the best every-down edge defenders in the league,” said Valentine.

The Jaguars will use Walker as a key building block for their future. Jacksonville knows the former Georgia star still has some untapped potential.

Jaguars vs. Colts: Key matchups

Jaguars vs. Colts: Key matchups

The Jacksonville Jaguars season is coming to a close as they travel to Indianapolis with a chance to end the year on a high note against the Colts.

It’s been a rocky year for the organization. The team that owner Shad Khan called the most talented Jaguars team ever cratered to a lock in the first 10 slots in April’s NFL draft.

Furthermore, this could be head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke’s last game in their respective positions.

A lot of change should be on the way in Jacksonville. Yet, there is a game to be played as the Jaguars hope to secure their fifth victory of the campaign.

For the final time this season, Jaguars Wire takes a closer look at the key matchups ahead of the Jaguars’ matchup against the Colts.

Jaguars defense vs. Colts quarterback Joe Flacco

Entering the season, the Jaguars’ defense was supposed to be a strength and was boldly predicted to be a top-10 unit in 2024. Instead, it’s been one of the worst in the league right alongside the Carolina Panthers.

This week presents an opportunity for Jacksonville’s defense to end on a strong note. The unit’s play in recent weeks has gotten better thanks to improved discipline, the development of rookie interior linemen Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson, and the production of pass rush duo of Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen.

This front will be taking on a Colts offense that has allowed the eighth-highest pressure rate in the NFL at 37.8 percent, according to Next Gen Stats. With Joe Flacco and the lack of mobility will allow the Jaguars to be more aggressive at attacking the QB and could evolve an increase in blitzes from defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.

Flacco has his moments in the sun but is prone to mistakes as of late. If the Jaguars want to end the year right, getting home on the veteran signal-caller and forcing him into bad decisions will be key.

Hines-Allen will be unavailable for the game due to personal reasons, emphasizing the need for big days from Walker, Smith and Jefferson, among other Jaguars’ trench players.

Jaguars offensive line vs. Colts defensive line

This game will be won and lost in the trenches. Jacksonville has held the edge compared to its opponents in this regard in recent weeks, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

The Jaguars’ offensive line has seen consistent play up front from their interior with guards Ezra Cleveland and Brandon Schreff alongside center Mitch Morse. Right tackle Anton Harrison has improved his played in recent weeks as well, and the team currently bestows a 12.3 percent pressure rate allowed, the fifth-lowest in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats.

However, the front five will face one of the NFL’s best interior defensive linemen, DeForest Buckner, who possesses the second-highest pressure rate in the league among pass rushers with at least 200 rushing snaps (12.3 percent).

Slowing down Buckner won’t be easy, but blocking the rest of the Colts’ defensive front might not be as hard. The unit has been an Achilles heel for Indianapolis all season, posing an advantage for Jacksonville.

If the Jaguars can quiet Buckner in the trenches, this could spell success for quarterback Mac Jones and company.

2025 Pro Bowl Games: Two Jaguars earn nods, three named alternates

2025 Pro Bowl Games: Two Jaguars earn nods, three named alternates

Two Jaguars, punter Logan Cooke and long snapper Ross Matiscik, were named to the AFC roster of the 2025 Pro Bowl Games on Thursday, the NFL announced.

Additionally, three Jacksonville players were named alternates for the Pro Bowl Games: Rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (first alternate), and defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen (fourth) and Travon Walker (fifth).

A seventh-year Jaguar, Cooke was voted to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. Matiscik will return to the games for a second consecutive season.

Cooke has averaged career-highs of 49.4 gross yards and 44.7 net yards per punt over 64 attempts this season, including a 73-yard longest kick. His 32 punts pinned inside the 20-yard line rank No. 3 in the NFL this season; his 12 punts pinned inside the 10-yard line rank No. 4.

Matiscik has snapped for each of Cooke’s punts and Jaguars rookie kicker Cam Little’s field goal and extra point attempts this season, and has recorded two special teams tackles.

Thomas, Jacksonville’s No. 23 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, has shattered the Jaguars’ rookie receiving records this season with 80 receptions for 1,179 yards and 10 touchdowns, and counting. He has been nominated for the NFL’s Rookie of the Week Award seven times but has yet to take home the honor.

The faces of Jacksonville’s pass rush, Hines-Allen and Walker have combined for 17.5 sacks this season, the former having logged eight and the latter 9.5. Hines-Allen also has 10 tackles for loss; Walker has 12.

The 2025 Pro Bowl games will take place in Orlando, Fla., between Thursday, January 30, and Sunday, February 2.

Jaguars vs. Texans: Key matchups

Jaguars vs. Texans: Key matchups

The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off their bye week, ideally refreshed and refocused for their final stretch of the 2024 season as they host Houston this weekend.

This will be a crucial six-game marathon for the Jaguars as the future around the coaching staff and front office hangs in the balance following a lowly 2-9. On a positive note, franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence appears closer to returning to play this week after missing two games with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder.

While Jacksonville almost certainly won’t make the postseason, it could begin to cause some panic among Houston fans with an upset.

Jaguars Wire takes a closer look at some of the key matchups for this weekend.

Jacksonville WR Brian Thomas Jr. vs. Houston CB Derek Stingley Jr.

This one-on-one battle represents two gifted athletes who will be among the best players at their respective positions for years to come. Stingley has been playing at a high level this season and is one of Houston’s best defenders while Thomas has emerged as one of the better young wide receivers in the league and one of the faces of Jacksonville’s future.

It can’t be emphasized enough how crucial of a matchup this is. Thomas has played well the last several weeks and emerged as the Jaguars’ top playmaker this year. With Lawrence potentially back under center, the team’s first-round selection this year could see his target share increase.

Stingley is one of the best man-cover corners in the game. He uses his size, technique, and pure athleticism to shut down any receiver who lines up against him. Thomas offers the skill set to beat man defenders at will with the incredible fluidity, short-area quickness and ultra-explosiveness that has made him a three-level threat.

If Thomas wins this battle, Jacksonville will be one step closer to pulling off an upset.

Jaguars’ offensive line vs. Texans’ defensive line

For as bad as things have been for the Jaguars this season, their offensive line remains steady, especially in the interior. The team has allowed the sixth-lowest pressure rate in the NFL (28.7%) and will take on a Texans’ defense that ranks third in pressure rate (40.3%).

Winning in the trenches has been an up-and-down battle for Jacksonville all season and Sunday features a chance to win there on both sides of the ball. According to Next Gen Stats, Jaguars guards Exra Cleveland and Brandon Scherff and center Mitch Morse have all allowed pressure on under five percent of their pass-blocking snaps. 

The edges are where it gets tricky as tackles Walker Little and Anton Harrison will be going up against Texans defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., one of the best pass-rushing duos in the league. Jacksonville will need its young tackles to have quality starts to slow down Houston’s pass rushers.

This is not a favorable matchup for the Jaguars. It could be if Harrison and Little can stay consistent in their pass-blocking sets and generate momentum in the run game on the edges, which will be key in taking on the No. 5 defense in yards allowed. 

Houston RB Joe Mixon vs. Jacksonville run defense

One of the stories of the Jaguars this season has been their putrid defensive play in almost all facets, especially against the run where they have allowed the seventh-most rushing yards in the NFL (135.5).

However, interestingly enough, they have defended the run well on outside-designed runs. Jacksonville has allowed the second-fewest rushing yards over expected (-65) and the seventh-lowest success rate (34.0%) on those specific play calls, according to Next Gen Stats.

Defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker have been big reasons for Jacksonville’s success against outside runs. Walker is third on the team in run stops (35) and Hines-Allen has 23 on the season. Their power at the point of attack and discipline against the run has been very notable this year. 

This week, they’ll take on Mixon, who has run nine of his touchdowns to the outside and has the fifth-most RYOE (+116) in that area in the NFL. Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik tends to use the outside zone to work away from the tackle box and stress defenders on the edges.

Setting the edge will be key for the Jaguars, especially against Mixon. Walker and Hines-Allen must do their job to squeeze their respective gaps and become force defenders to bottle Mixon inside.

If the Jaguars can limit Mixon’s ability to stretch the edge, Jacksonville will have a chance to pull off a nice victory on Thanksgiving weekend. 

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Minnesota Vikings: Key matchups

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Minnesota Vikings: Key matchups

The Jacksonville Jaguars enter Week 10 coming off another tough loss on the road to the Philadelphia Eagles and will look to pull off an upset home victory against the 6-2 Minnesota Vikings.

Like last week, the Jaguars will be without some key players, including franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has been nursing a left shoulder injury this week. Losing Lawrence will be a hard blow for a team that has been relatively competitive largely because of his play in recent weeks. 

However, there is a path to success that Jacksonville can follow. The Vikings do not have many weaknesses, but there are some areas the Jaguars can take advantage of to pave the road to an upset. 

Jaguars Wire breaks down the key matchups that could be vital in ensuring win No. 3 for the Jaguars against the Vikings. 

Jacksonville’s run game vs. Minnesota’s run defense

The Vikings own the NFL’s No. 2 rushing defense this season in yards allowed and have allowed the fewest rushing expected points added (EPA) this season. The Jaguars have found success on the ground this season and with Lawrence out, they will have to lean on their new star tailback Tank Bigsby.

A productive day from Bigbsy might be Jacksonville’s biggest key to victory this weekend. He is a tough runner to bring down, forcing a missed tackle on nearly 38 percent of his rushes, according to Next Gen Stats.

That’s good enough for the third-highest rate in football. Minnesota has struggled to tackle in space this season at the fifth-highest rate.

Bigsby has the skill set to handle a hefty workload on a moment’s notice. His downhill rushing ability and shiftiness in space make him a handful to bring down.

To add pressure for Minnesota, Bigsby can be a home run-hitting running back with his second-level explosiveness and quickness in the open field. It won’t be an easy go-around but this is strength vs. strength in this weekend’s matchup.

Jacksonville DE Josh Hines-Allen vs. Minnesota LT Cam Robinson

This matchup could be personal for both players. It was only a few weeks ago that Robinson was manning Lawrence’s blindside.

But after Vikings star left tackle Christian Darrisaw went down with a season-ending injury, they acquired Robinson and a conditional 2026 seventh-round draft choice in exchange for a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick.

The former Jaguar had an up-and-down career in North Florida. Robinson was playing steady football in pass protection with just a 7.1 percent pressure rate before he was traded. But he struggled against Indianapolis in his Vikings debut and is now tasked with slowing down Josh Hines-Allen for the first time as an opponent. 

Jacksonville’s cornerstone pass rusher is tied with teammate Travon Walker for the most pressures on the team with 34. He’s as good as they come coming off the edge and is likely to spend most of his snaps lining up at right defensive end for his one-on-one matchup with Robinson.

Hines-Allen versus Robinson in the trenches is a key individual matchup that fans should have a keen eye on, one that could be a deciding factor in this weekend’s game.

Jacksonville QB Mac Jones vs. Minnesota pass defense

Losing a talent like Lawrence for just one or any number of games is a blow for the Jaguars. He’s the franchise quarterback and has played sound football for most of the season.  

But now, it’s time for former Pro Bowler and once-surmised New England franchise signal-caller Mac Jones to make his starting debut with his hometown team.

Jones never proved to be the prolific quarterback from the incredible 2020 Alabama national championship roster in the NFL. More of a game-manager, a heavy dose of the run game and play-action should allow Jones to be fairly smooth sailing if things go according to plan.

However, the Jaguars might miss the vertical element that has been a staple of their offense with Jones under-center this weekend. 

Jones will face a defense that is second in the NFL in blitz rate and has used split-safety coverage the most of any team this season. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has them playing some sound football and will pose a challenge for Jones this weekend. 

Yet, there is a path where Jones performs well enough to put Jacksonville in a spot to pull off the upset. If he protects the ball and finds answers against pressure while giving receivers like Brian Thomas Jr. and Parker Washington chances for run-after-catch plays, the Jaguars will be one step closer to victory.

Breaking down the issues with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense

Breaking down the issues with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense

The Jacksonville Jaguars enter their Week 10 home bout against Minnesota with questions surrounding their defensive play which has been, at best, inconsistent since early in the campaign.

Jacksonville’s offense has become a strength as the season has progressed, at least when it has been healthy, with much of its success coming from quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s right arm, the legs of second-year running back Tank Bigsby and the hands of rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.

However, the Jaguars’ defense continues to give up numerous big plays every week. The unit currently ranks in the bottom five in points allowed per game and expected points added (EPA) per play allowed.

Jaguars Wire takes a closer look at why the defense has struggled and what improvements are needed at the halfway point.

Inconsistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks

On paper, Jacksonville has enough talent to be an aggressive defense, especially when it comes to getting pressure on the quarterback. First-year defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen relies on his four-man fronts to generate the pressures without the constant need for blitzes.

While the experiment looked promising in Week 1, it has not been successful in the eight games since. The Jaguars have the 11th-fewest pressures in the league, the fourth-lowest quarterback pressure percentage, the sixth-lowest sack rate, and the lowest blitz rate.

Defensive linemen are not winning at the point of attack. Some are not winning their matchups and struggle to generate effective pass-rush moves and combinations to defeat their blocks.

The only exceptions are defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, who have been terrors in recent weeks against opposing offensive tackles. Both pass rushers have 34 pressures each while the rest of the defense has 31 in total.

For the Jaguars to improve their efficiency in chasing the quarterback, Nielsen must begin to be more creative in generating pressure. They also must sacrifice some of their man coverage deployment. This leads to the next issue.

Jacksonville must become more diverse with its coverage calls

In theory, man-heavy defenses can be successful. You need stout defensive linemen in the trenches, especially ones that can generate pressure and win one-on-one matchups consistently.

Linebackers must have the athleticism and fluidity to cover running backs and tight ends. Cornerbacks need to be physically at the line of scrimmage while also bestowing steady technique in their footwork and press jams.

Jacksonville doesn’t have enough of those kinds of players. This defense continues to struggle more often than not in this regard. Its contributors’ skill sets are not fit for man-heavy defenses that force little margin for error.

According to Football Insights, the Jaguars have played man coverage at the second-highest rate in the NFL this season behind Detroit while having one of the lowest zone coverage rates in the league. They are a true Cover 1 and Cover 2-man unit.

It’s a defense that could turn itself around quickly with more Cover 3 and quarters coverage while maintaining their base looks out of single or two-high.

If Jacksonville is to turn its season around by some miracle, diversifying the coverage variations would allow a talented unit to play to their strengths instead of being forced out of position through the system.

Better discipline in all phases is required

Earlier in the season, it looked like the Jaguars were set to have a stout defense, especially with their performances against Miami and Cleveland in the first two weeks. Instead, the defense has turned into one of the league’s worst.

While Jacksonville has a talented defense, it remains undisciplined in all phases. While plenty of the blame can be placed on the players themselves, this is a coaching issue and it starts with defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.

Defenders have struggled to tackle in space and the statistics can back this up. The Jaguars have allowed the most yards after the catch (1,379), the 11th-most YAC over-expected (plus-147) and the most yards per play in the league (6.0).

Nielsen’s unit has been giving up way too many big plays this season. A couple of notable ones have been against Green Bay and Philadelphia in the last two weeks.

 

On film, players are often out of position relative to their assignments and responsibilities, specifically against the pass. For a defense that was supposed to be a strength this season, its lack of success falls on coaching and a lack of proper fundamentals instilled.

Head coach Doug Pederson replaced most of his defensive staff coaching from last season yet the unit has regressed under new leadership. It is now fair to wonder if Pederson will get another chance to fix the unit’s issues this offseason.

Watch: Jaguars’ Travon Walker bulldozes way into fumble return TD

Watch: Jaguars’ Travon Walker bulldozes way into fumble return TD

The Jaguars will have defensive end (and potential future running back?) Travon Walker to thank in large part if they can pull off a 22-point comeback against the Eagles on Sunday.

After Jacksonville scored its first touchdown of the game, a one-yard sneak by quarterback Trevor Lawrence with 5:26 left in the third quarter, Walker scooped up a fumble by Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley and ran it back 35 yards to reduce the Eagles lead to one possession.

Referees ruled Barkley was not down by contact after getting tripped up by Jaguars linebacker Ventrell Miller on a 1st and 10 rushing attempt. Barkley lost his grip on the football as he tried to crawl forward for extra yardage.

The 6-foot-5, 272-pound Walker recovered the loose ball, shed four would-be tacklers and followed multiple Jaguars defenders-turned-blockers en route to the massive score, the first touchdown of his NFL career.

A pitch-and-catch between Lawrence and tight end Evan Engram converted Jacksonville’s second-consecutive two-point attempt, making it a 22-16 game.

Jacksonville’s No. 1 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft out of Georgia, Walker starred at Thomaston (Ga.) Upson-Lee in high school as a two-way player, scoring five offensive touchdowns in addition to his role on the defensive line, per MaxPreps.

Travon Walker returns Saquon Barkley fumble for Jaguars touchdown

The Jaguars got two quick touchdowns against the Eagles

The Jacksonville Jaguars looked like they were going to blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles at the Linc on Sunday.

Then, Trevor Lawrence scored on a quarterback sneak. The two-point conversion made it 22-8.

Twenty-four seconds later, Saquon Barkley fumbled. Travon Walker picked the football up and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown.

Another two-point conversion and Doug Pederson’s Jaguars had drawn within 22-16 of his former team.

Key matchups for Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Green Bay Packers

Key matchups for Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Green Bay Packers

There is no rest for the weary as the Jacksonville Jaguars return home from their trip to London to take on Green Bay. Momentum is on their side following one of their best victories in over a year against the New England Patriots, 32-16. 

Jacksonville looks to build upon last week’s impressive offensive showing. Seven games into the regular season, the Jaguars may have found their identity on both sides of the ball and they will be put to the test against a well-rounded Packers team that has won five games while losing only two by a combined seven points

Jaguars Wire takes a closer look at this week’s key matchups for the Jaguars against the Packers in Jacksonville below.

Jaguars defense vs. Packers QB Jordan Love

The Jaguars’ defense is still an issue, especially in pass coverage and their lack of diversity outside of Cover 1 and Cover 2 defenses. However, it seems the unit found its calling card in getting pressure on the quarterback.

Edge rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker have been excellent, with both finding a way to the quarterback consistently. That could pose an issue for the Packers, who rank 26th in time to throw at a 2.68-second average. 

Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love’s passer rating has dipped when pressured at 61.8 compared to his 114.3 passer rating when he isn’t. His EPA total (+38.4) and yard per attempt (9.3) take a nose-dive when blitzed to a -36.4 EPA and just under five yards per attempt, according to Next Gen Stats.

It is paramount that Jacksonville has success attacking the quarterback. The Jaguars’ rush flashed against a horrible Patriots offensive line and could find similar success this week in front of their home crowd.

It helps that Arik Armstead has begun to see more snaps at defensive tackle, which was noticeable a week ago with some of the interior pressure.

Should the Jaguars blitz at their highest rate since their blowout loss on Monday Night Football against Buffalo (31.4%), it will be crucial in a potential victory.

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence vs. Packers defense

It’s been hard not to notice Trevor Lawrence’s improved play in the last three weeks. His 17-game average from those three games would have the former No. 1 overall selection shattering his single-season passing yards and touchdowns, according to Pro Football Reference.

A reason for his improved play leads back to an increase in play-action used by offensive coordinator Press Taylor and a new-found rushing attack led by second-year running back Tank Bigsby. Lawrence is finding answers against pressure, playing with better anticipation, and showcasing more composure and poise in the pocket. 

Play-action is one of the Achilles heels for the Packers’ defense. Per Next Gen Stats, their 50 percent success rate against this passing concept is the eighth-worst in the NFL.

This is a positive sign for Jacksonville’s passing game although it may run into an issue throwing against two quality safeties in Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams. Each ranks in the top five in coverage success rate among safeties. McKinney has been a ball-hawk with a league-leading five interceptions on the season. 

It won’t be easy attacking this secondary but the Jaguars have shown they are not afraid to test defenses in the vertical thirds and post. 

Packers rushing attack vs. Jaguars run defense

This might be the game’s best matchup. Jacksonville’s run defense has shown improvement and is currently ranked sixth in football with 102.6 rushing yards allowed per game. Now, the Jaguars face one of their toughest challenges in slowing down Packers running back Josh Jacobs, one of the league leaders in rushing yards and yards after contact.

Walker and Hines-Allen will be key in setting the edge and have been sound in this area; the Jaguars have allowed the fifth-fewest yards outside the tackles and rank sixth in EPA allowed per rushing attempt. Armstead will be a factor against Jacobs, who is one of the best at making first and second-level defenders miss in space. 

Tackling in space will be important in that regard and the Jaguars are fifth in the NFL in rushing yards after contact allowed per attempt. They have defenders who can make stops and bring the ball carrier down at first contact. Yet, this will be their toughest test against one of the league’s best rushers.

If Jacksonville were to slow down Jacobs and tackle in space consistently against him, the path to victory would be much easier to navigate. 

Key matchups ahead of Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots

Key matchups ahead of Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots

The Jacksonville Jaguars enter their final game in London hoping to end their overseas trip on a high note as they take on the New England Patriots. Both teams sit at 1-5 looking for their second win of the season and some glimmer of hope as the campaign approaches halfway.

The Jaguars have another opportunity to pick up a win against a lowly opponent and can do so with the resurgent Trevor Lawrence under center. The biggest questions Jacksonville faces now are if the coaching staff can develop a steady game plan and if the offense can display better ball security.

Jaguars Wire takes a closer look at a few key matchups in the Jaguars “home” bout against the Patriots as they look to return to the United States encouragement and intrigue.

Jaguars RB Tank Bigsby vs. Patriots run defense

One of the few bright spots from Jacksonville’s 1-5 campaign to this point has to be the emergence of Bigsby. The second-year tailback from Auburn leads the NFL with 7.2 yards per carry (minimum of 20 carries) and his explosiveness has not gone unnoticed with plus-143 yards over expected, the third-most in football, according to Next Gen Stats.

Bigsby is the total package as he is a shifty runner who generates yards after contact thanks to his low center of gravity and contact balance. Furthermore, he’s become another explosive element for the Jaguars offense that is near the top of the league in big plays.

Bigsby enters Sunday with a favorable matchup against the Patriots’ defense, which ranks in the bottom 10 in RYOE allowed and a below-average run defense in most categories. The Jaguars should stay committed to the ground game this week, especially with an offensive line that has improved in run blocking and overall play in recent weeks.

If Bigsby were to receive at least 15 touches Sunday, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see the young running back have another explosive day and carry Jacksonville to a win.

Jaguars defense vs. Patriots QB Drake Maye

It has become clear that Jacksonville defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen does not have the personnel capable of consistently operating a man coverage-heavy defense. His unit is next to last in points allowed and in the bottom five in most statistical pass-defense categories, including allowing over 225 yards passing in all but one game this season.

If Jacksonville wants to right the ship, Nielsen must change the way he is calling this defense. There needs to be a more balanced approach in man and zone coverage calls. The Jaguars have the personnel defensively to field a sound zone defense, but the players are not often placed in a position to succeed in coverage. 

That could excite Patriots rookie signal-caller Drake Maye. However, his outlook could be dampened considering the Jaguars have been adequate in terms of applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Jacksonville is one of six teams to have multiple defenders with more than 20 pressures this season, per Next Gen Stats. Pass rushers Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker have been terrific this season and have shown why they are core defensive pieces for the foreseeable future.

New England leads the league in pressure rate allowed, meanwhile, which might spell trouble for the young Maye.

The No. 3 overall selection from North Carolina may be an escape artist of sorts, but the NFL is a different beast and attempting to evade the likes of Walker and Hines-Allen is never an easy task.

Jacksonville’s path to success begins with getting consistent pressure on a rookie quarterback behind New England’s subpar offensive line.

Jaguars TE Evan Engram vs. Patriots defensive secondary

Jacksonville was without its No. 1 tight end since Week 2 when he injured his hamstring in pregame warmups before their loss to Cleveland. In his return last Sunday, Engram showed why he’s a crucial piece to the team’s offense, hauling in 10 catches for 102 yards.

Engram is a versatile tight end who has yet to lose an ounce of his athleticism and play-making ability as he has gotten older. Since 2022, he has aligned in the slot at the sixth-highest rate among players at his position with at least 800 snaps, per Next Gen Stats. The Jaguars have also shown they are willing to move him all over the formation as an H-back, fullback, and big slot. 

This will pose an issue for the Patriots, who have allowed the seventh most yards per attempt to tight ends in the slot this season. The days when New England was an above-average defensive unit are over and its secondary has been struggling for most of the season, another reason why this looks to be a favorable game for Jacksonville overall.

Engram will once again be a focal point of the offense as long as he stays healthy. Lawrence’s play has improved in the past two weeks, flashing promise that Jacksonville can continue to be a productive offense so long as the unit can protect the ball and catch it cleanly.