Opponent Profile: Jaguars Need Perfect Game To Slow Down Ravens
By Samuel Njoku
The Ravens just finished a grueling game against a playoff team. Now they’ll have to go up against an underachiever. The Jacksonville Jaguars are 2-11 and fighting for the No. 1 pick in next year’s draft. Vegas has the Jaguars as 13.5 point underdogs and when you look at the makeup of the team, it’s easy to see why.
Jaguars on Offense
The Jaguars are led by QB Blake Bortles who has struggled mightily for most of the season. Some of that has to do with the cast around him – they’re non-existent. The Jaguars have done a poor job of surrounding the young QB with talent. The major problem with this offense is the offensive line. Bortles has been under a huge amount of pressure for most of the season. And with the Ravens boasting one of the better pass rushing units, it could be bad news for Jacksonville. Elvis Dumervil could have a career day against the Jaguars if the offensive line continues to struggle. The Jaguars will make it a point to focus their protection scheme on keeping Dumervil away from Bortles at all times.
Another way for Jacksonville to keep their quarterback clean is to get their running back involved. Denard Robinson was the Jaguars work horse early in the season before teams placed eight or nine men in the box. With the way the Ravens secondary has struggled this season, Baltimore may not risk leaving their men without help in their backfield.
Jaguars on Defense
The Jaguars defense hasn’t struggled nearly as much as their offense. In fact, at times Jacksonville’s defense has imposed their will on opposing offenses. But the unit has been too wildly inconsistent for their own good. For example, the Jaguars would hold the Colts to six points in the first half two weeks ago. They would lose to Indianapolis 23-3. If the Jaguars defense can’t play great football for 4 quarters, the Ravens will walk out of M&T Bank Stadium with their 9th win of the season.
Jaguars Coaching
Gus Bradley was named head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2013 and currently holds a record of 6-23. The Jaguars hold the All-Time Record against the Ravens 10-7. Baltimore lost their first eight meetings with the Jaguars but has since won seven of the last nine meetings.
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Samuel Njoku was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and is a graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Samuel has covered the Ravens for Examiner.com since 2010. Prior to 2010, Samuel was an avid blogger and radio personality in Salisbury, MD. Samuel Njoku is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @Ravens_Examiner.
