The Jacksonville Jaguars are in London, preparing to battle the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5. After defeating the Cincinnati Bengals, the Jaguars are 3-1, while the Eagles fell to 2-2 after a loss to the Rams in Week 4.
Jacksonville is riding a two-game win streak, and comparatively, Philadelphia has been struggling. Most analysts are predicting a Jaguars win, though it would be a mistake to underestimate the Eagles.
As battered as they may be by injury, Jalen Hurts is still an elite quarterback who has been effectively carrying this team so far this season. Philadelphia is also a gritty team with something to prove, which makes them dangerous if they're underestimated.
Here are six keys to a Jacksonville victory.
Exploit Philadelphia’s rebuilt offensive line
The Eagles lost two veteran offensive
linemen this week. Lane Johnson unexpectedly retired after missing Week 4, and Philadelphia then traded Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens. The line is further weakened with injuries to the players they still have; Landon Dickerson is on IR, and center Drew Kendall missed practice this week.
Jacksonville has been creating pressure, but not always finishing with sacks; this is the week Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, and Arik Armstead need to cash those pressures in.
Keep Jalen Hurts contained
Cincinnati showed that the Jaguars can generate pressure and still let a quarterback escape long enough to make plays. Hurts is much more dangerous than Joe Burrow once he leaves the pocket, so the Jaguars can’t get reckless chasing sacks and open running lanes.
Make the Eagles one-dimensional
This plays directly into Jacksonville’s biggest defensive strength. The Jaguars have been excellent against the run, and Saquon Barkley has been dealing with an injury this week. If he does play on Sunday, Jacksonville needs to bottle up Barkley and force Hurts into obvious passing situations behind that patched-up offensive line.
Protect Trevor Lawrence
The Jaguars survived some rough protection against Cincinnati because Lawrence played so well, but the penalties from the offensive line and multiple sacks were one of the clearest negatives from that game. Jacksonville can’t repeatedly put Lawrence in these kinds of situations and expect the offense to stay as efficient every week.
Keep winning the turnover battle
Takeaways have become a very important part of Anthony Campanile’s defense. Jacksonville has forced at least one turnover in every game this season, and against an Eagles offense still adjusting to personnel changes, stealing a possession or two could be decisive.
Start fast and make Philadelphia chase the game
Jacksonville’s first-half dominance has been one of its defining traits, and with the Eagles already coming into London banged up and on a losing streak, getting them uncomfortable early could make a big difference. Of course, the Jaguars' loss to the Broncos showed a dominant first half doesn't equal an automatic win, but Philadelphia has a lot more problems than Denver did. Getting the Eagles to play from behind would only work in Jacksonville's favor.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 6 keys to a Jaguars victory over the Eagles in Week 5
