Welcome to Big Cat Country’s staff roundtable!
Today, we’re previewing Week 6’s matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Seattle Seahawks at EverBank Stadium.
The Jaguars are 4-1 for the first time
since 2007. Where does the team need to improve to continue winning at this pace?
Dillon Appleman: The team really needs to find more consistency if they’re going to keep this pace. It feels like in every game this season, there have been drastic swings of good and bad from both sides of the ball, so stringing together more consistent play would go a long way in ensuring the Jaguars keep stacking wins.
Travis Holmes: While I am truly loving the overall gritty play of this Jaguars roster from top to bottom, for them to evolve into the late-season true playoff contender they envision, the interior pass rush must find a way to collect more quarterback hurries without depending on the blitz. Patrick Mahomes put his pocket awareness on display on Monday, making Jacksonville pay early and often whenever they attempted to throw additional bodies to solve the problem of him being too comfortable in the pocket. While all quarterbacks may not reach Mahomes’ level of pocket awareness, most of the top signal callers the team will face in January (Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, etc) provide similar defensive issues.
Gus Logue: I think Jacksonville needs more from its pass rush, period. The unit is still relying on Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker to do the heavy lifting. According to SūmerSports, the Jaguars rank 25th in pressure rate when rushing four defenders this season (22.2%). Anthony Campanile has done a great job of using creative blitz packages to create chaos, but the NFL’s best defenses have always been able to apply pressure with four guys. Keep your eye out for GM James Gladstone to address this (and receiver depth) ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline.
Henry Zimmer: The offense needs to become more consistent for this team to really make an impact. Whether that is through Trevor Lawrence cutting down on turnovers or the pass catchers making more of an impact and not dropping the ball, the offense needs to find a way to stay level.
What’s a matchup you’re looking forward to watching?
Dillon: Seahawks TE AJ Barner vs. Jaguars LBs. Barner isn’t a household name by any stretch but he’s proven to be a hugely important piece to the Seahawks’ offensive success, particularly in the red zone. He leads the team with four touchdowns on the year, and they’ve all come inside the 20, so they clearly prioritize him in those scenarios. Lloyd and Oluokun will need to continue their disciplined play to keep Barner out of the end zone in Week 6.
Travis: DaVon Hamilton and Maason Smith against Seahawks right guard Anthony Bradford will be a must-watch affair. For those who may not know, Bradford has objectively been one of the worst NFL offensive linemen to watch in this early 2025 season, with film breakdowns of his performance against the Cardinals going viral. With Bradford’s significant struggles in working to the second level in combination blocks with his peers and occasional blunders in picking up stunts, he may be the prime weakness up front to allow the Jacksonville front to rattle Sam Darnold early.
Gus: Jacksonville’s downfield pass attack against Seattle’s banged-up secondary. Seattle may be without Devon Witherspoon and Julian Love yet again, and their absences allowed Baker Mayfield to complete 29 of 33 passes for 379 yards and 2 TDs last week. It was great to see Travis Hunter come down with a 44-yard catch on Monday Night Football but I think the Jaguars offense is still leaving some meat on the bone. How are Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. not seeing multiple deep targets each game? If there were a week for offensive fireworks in Jacksonville, it’s this one.
Henry: Can the Jaguars’ defensive line get to Sam Darnold this weekend? Things are pointing towards Travon Walker playing this weekend, so can the Jags get a sack or two and impact the game on the line? We know the second and third levels can disrupt games; now it is time for this defensive line to take advantage of the Seahawks’ offensive line, especially along their interior.
Who will be the biggest X-factor?
Dillon: Jaxon Smith-Njigba is currently second in the NFL in receiving and leads the league in 20+ yard receptions. It’s going to be a tough matchup for a corner group that is now going to be shifting into different roles after the Tyson Campbell trade. It’s unclear how much newly acquired Greg Newsome II will play this week, but whether it’s him, Travis Hunte,r or Montaric Brown, they’ll all need to be at their best to limit the impact of the Seahawks star WR.
Travis: As cliché and obvious as it may sound, Trevor Lawrence will be the game’s biggest X-factor. With the Seahawks potentially being down three starting defensive backs on Sunday between Witherspoon, Love, and Riq Woolen (who is progressing through the concussion protocol), Seattle may be down to their third corner and backup safety in this one. The Jaguars, similar to the Week 5 Buccaneers, will undoubtedly have opportunities to connect downfield. Lawrence can’t miss completing those opportunities when they arise.
Gus: Jonah Monheim. I don’t expect starting center Robert Hainsey (hamstring) to suit up after he missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday. He’s been one of the best players at his position in the NFL this year, so there are big shoes to fill for the seventh-round rookie on Sunday. Monheim seems to have plenty of trust from coaches and players inside the building, especially after he held his own against Chris Jones and the Chiefs on Monday night, but the Seahawks are a different beast. Mike Macdonald’s front is a coordinated bunch that utilizes various alignments and post-snap stunts to confuse offensive lines.
Henry: This might be the best defense Lawrence has faced this season, so I will go with Lawrence. Everyone saw him make some spectacular throws on Monday. I want to see if he can replicate that — or do that consistently — against a solid defense. If so, the Jags are in business.
Final score prediction?
Dillon: Jaguars 24, Seahawks 17
Travis: Jaguars 30, Seahawks 23
Gus: Jaguars 20, Seahawks 18
Henry: Jaguars 24, Seahawks 21
What are your Week 6 predictions, Jaguars fans? Let us know in the comments!
