The Jacksonville Jaguars are headed to London for Week 5, where they will take on the Philadelphia Eagles.
While the Jaguars defeated the Cincinnati Bengals
in Week 4, the Eagles fell to the Los Angeles Rams. Philadelphia has lost their last two games, but it would be a mistake for Jacksonville to assume that means they will be an easy win. It's an overseas road game against an opponent that has plenty to make it dangerous.Here are five storylines to watch.
Can the Jaguars take advantage of a struggling Eagles offense?
Philadelphia has lost two straight, including a 24-20 loss to the Rams in which the offense managed just 172 total yards and went 0-for-12 on third down. The Eagles also lead the NFL with 15 three-and-outs through four games. That makes this a really interesting test for Jacksonville’s defense:
can it keep a talented offense uncomfortable, or does Philly finally snap out of its funk?
One thing the defense will need to guard against is explosive plays, which the Jaguars have struggled against. Jalen Hurts is still an elite quarterback, and keeping Philadelphia from flipping the field on one or two chunk gains could be just as important as forcing another string of three-and-outs.
How much will Lane Johnson’s retirement change Philadelphia’s offensive line?
Johnson unexpectedly retired this week after missing the Rams game for personal reasons. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, so Philadelphia is suddenly moving forward without one of the pillars of its offense.
For Jacksonville, that immediately raises the question of whether Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, and the pass rush can exploit that adjustment.
Will Saquon Barkley play, and what would his absence mean?
Barkley is considered week to week with a hamstring injury, and Tank Bigsby is headed to IR after a core-muscle injury, leaving Philadelphia’s RB room extremely thin. If Barkley doesn't play, the Eagles lose one of the biggest threats Jacksonville’s run defense would otherwise have to account for.
But if he does play, that will pose a significant hurdle for the Jaguars. While they do boast one of the best run defenses in the NFL, Barkley is one of the best RBs in the league.
Can the Jaguars clean up the penalties without losing their edge?
Jacksonville won in Week 4, but it was far from a pretty win. The Jaguars committed 13 penalties for 125 yards, including 10 for 100 in the first half, and wiped out two touchdowns from Bhayshul Tuten and a Travis Hunter interception.
Again, they still won, which is impressive, but doing that against Philadelphia would be asking for trouble... and hint at bigger problems about the team's discipline and ability to play clean football.
Can Jacksonville prove its 3-1 start is more than a hot opening stretch?
The Jaguars have now won 11 of their last 12 regular-season games dating back to last year and sit at 3-1, while Philadelphia comes in 2-2, but remains one of the league’s recent power teams. Analysts are widely looking at Jacksonville as a legitimate contender, but that momentum will be almost instantly destroyed with a loss.
Beating the Eagles in London, however, would be another argument in the Jaguars' favor and put them a step further towards not only a playoff-worthy team, but one with bigger aspirations than just that.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 5 storylines to watch in Jaguars vs. Eagles in Week 5
