Big Cat Country
Big Cat Country previews the Jaguars’ upcoming game against the Lions.
Welcome to Big Cat Country’s staff roundtable! This week, we’re previewing Week 11’s matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
The Jaguars are 13.5-point underdogs, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Question 1: What’s your biggest concern about the Jaguars this week?
Dillon Appleman: The demeanor of Brian Thomas Jr. After taking the league by storm through the first eight games, BTJ’s involvement in the offense has been minimal since. He’s had his least productive outings of the season the last two weeks and has looked understandably frustrated. I worry that his confidence could take a hit.
Travis Holmes: What will Shad Khan do if the Jaguars somehow pulled off the upset on Sunday? While I’m aware the scenario of Jacksonville beating the 8-1 Lions in Detroit may seem highly unlikely, so did the prospect of Jacksonville’s defense playing like the 85’ Bears in Week 10. I feel moderately confident in the possibility of change with a double-digit Jacksonville loss, but with another competitive loss or a win, it truly feels like Shad could go in any direction with his history of patience.
Gus Logue: Whether the Jaguars’ offense can stay on the field long enough to have a chance to win. Last week’s 17:41 Time of Possession was the second-worst mark in franchise history — the fact that it was only a one-score loss is incredible. The offense can’t rely on the defense to bail them out again. If Jacksonville can’t move the chains, it’ll only be a matter of time before Detroit starts steamrolling.
Henry Zimmer: What is there not to be concerned about? At this point though, I am most concerned about if Mac Jones will even make it through Sunday’s game.
Question 2: If you could ‘steal’ a player from the Lions and place them on the Jaguars for the rest of the season, who would it be?
Dillon: Brian Branch. Some smart people (editor’s note: hello) wanted Brian Branch to be the Jags’ pick at the tail end of the first round back in 2023... but I digress. Branch has quickly turned into one of the best young safeties in the NFL, which just so happens to be arguably the biggest position of need for this abysmal Jacksonville defense.
Travis: While DE Aiden Hutchinson and C Frank Ragnow were both considerations, I eventually went with RT Penei Sewell as the player I’d borrow forever. Locking in the dominant tackle could change this Jacksonville line moving forward while flipping RT Anton Harrison to the left.
Gus: Amon-Ra St. Brown. Since the start of last season, the Jaguars have a 10-8 record in games that Christian Kirk starts and finishes; they’re 1-8 otherwise. Jacksonville’s coaching staff hasn’t been able to find answers with no. 13 unavailable. A Lions offensive lineman would be nice, but the best possible thing for the Jaguars offense would be adding a dependable chain-mover in St. Brown.
Henry:...
