Big Cat Country
Welcome to Big Cat Country’s staff roundtable!
Today, we’re previewing Week 7’s matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Los Angeles Rams at Wembley Stadium.
What are you most concerned about after Jacksonville’s Week 6 loss to Seattle?
Dillon Appleman: I’m concerned that the Seahawks unlocked a bit of a blueprint on how to attack this Jacksonville offensive line. They ran game after game last Sunday, and it seemed to really confuse the Jags into one of the worst outings you will ever see from an offensive line. That unit’s success to this point has been a huge reason why the Jaguars’ offense has been able to move the ball this season. If they can’t prove that last week was an anomaly, it could become a huge issue moving forward.
Travis Holmes: The Jaguars’ lack of a run game over the past two weeks has become concerning for me. For a team whose core was Travis Etienne rushing for 100 yards per game in Weeks 1-4, to run for 38 yards per week over the past two games is worrying. Are the guys limited due to injuries with the approaching bye week and multiple linemen listed on the weekly report? Or is dropping from 6.1 yards per rush to 3.2 just Jacksonville’s lead back regressing to the mean after catching a few teams off guard early?
Gus Logue: As far as position groups go, I’m most concerned about the pass rush. A lack of pressure on Sam Darnold was one of the chief reasons for Jacksonville’s Week 6 loss. According to Sports Info Solutions, the Jaguars rank 30th in pressure rate (25.6%) and 31st in sack rate (2.4%) when rushing four defenders this year. Defensive line depth is the first area the front office should address next offseason, if not at the Nov. 4 trade deadline.
Henry Zimmer: I am certainly most concerned about execution. The penalties are absurd at this point, and half the team cannot figure out how to line up or get off the ball. If those things persist, a veteran coach like Sean McVay is going to take full advantage and punish the Jags.
What’s a matchup you’re looking forward to watching?
Dillon: I’m looking forward to watching the Rams’ defensive front go up against the Jaguars’ offensive line. While I think they’re outmatched, I just want to see more aggressiveness at the point of attack, as well as more communication and anticipation on those stunts and twists that gave them such fits last week. Any notable change in their approach would be a positive sign for me.
Travis: The matchup I’m most interested in is WR Davante Adams versus CB Travis Hunter. From both an entertainment and a competitive perspective, I’d love for this Jacksonville defense to continue leaning into Hunter’s uptick in snaps, where he flips sides and follows No. 1 receivers. Hunter allowed a 39.6 passer rating when targeted in Week 6, giving up just 1 catch allowed on 4 total targets. Three...
