The Jacksonville Jaguars are taking on the Philadelphia Eagles in London for Week 5. The Jaguars are now 3-1 after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals, while the Eagles are 2-2 following their loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Jacksonville has won its last two games, and is looking to keep the hot start to the 2026 season going. Meanwhile, Philadelphia has been a powerhouse with elite talent, but injuries and a new offensive scheme have the Eagles struggling. Both teams will also have the added issue of international travel to contend with.
Here are five matchups that could decide the game.
Jaguars pass rush vs. Eagles offensive line
Philadelphia had two shocking changes to the offensive line; first, Lane Johnson announced a surprise retirement this week, and then Cam Jurgens was traded to the Baltimore
Ravens. Both were strong players; Jurgens is a two-time Pro Bowler, while Johnson has won two Super Bowls, been named to six Pro Bowls, and was a two-time first-team All-Pro. The Eagles' new center, Drew Kendall, meanwhile missed Wednesday practice with a knee injury.
Can Philadelphia do anything to stop the Jaguars' pass rush with an offensive line this battered? Jacksonville has been consistently pressuring quarterbacks without always converting that pressure into sacks, so this is a major opportunity for Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, and Arik Armstead.
Travis Hunter and Jarrian Jones vs. DeVonta Smith
Hunter and Jones both turned in solid performances against the Bengals, with one analyst suggesting they might be the best cornerback duo in the NFL. Smith, meanwhile, is an elite receiver with steady high-end production, which would make him a threat for any CB.
However, Smith is currently dealing with a hamstring injury. The Jaguars' secondary is about as battered as the Eagles' offensive line, forcing head coach Liam Coen to sign two new cornerbacks. All that considered, the paired matchup of Hunter and Jones vs. Smith is possibly the most exciting of the game to watch.
Jaguars run defense vs. Saquon Barkley
Jacksonville held Cincinnati to just 23 total rushing yards in Week 4, and its status as a stout run defense that hasn't allowed a 75-yard rusher in 21 straight games.
Barkley is dealing with a hamstring injury and might not play. However, if he does, it would be a huge test for the Jaguars. It would be a real show of strength-on-strength, and Barkley is a known thorn in Jacksonville's side; after all, his backwards hurdle, which landed him the Madden cover, was over Jarrian Jones.
Trevor Lawrence vs. Eagles secondary/pass rush
Jacksonville’s offensive line struggled to keep Lawrence clean against Cincinnati, and Philadelphia presents another test for a unit that has been inconsistent in protection. Lawrence still went 18/23 for 227 yards last week, but the Jaguars will need to limit sacks and long-yardage situations against an Eagles defense capable of creating pressure.
If Philly can consistently collapse the pocket, it could force the exact kind of messy offensive game the Jaguars would rather avoid. And it will raise the question of how long Lawrence can continue playing at a high level if he's never given the chance to operate out of a clean pocket.
Jalen Hurts vs. Jaguars linebackers
Jacksonville’s pass rush made life difficult for Joe Burrow last week, generating 20 pressures, but the Jaguars did not always finish those plays. Burrow repeatedly escaped the pocket and extended downs before finding receivers. That becomes even more dangerous against Hurts, who remains one of the NFL’s most effective running quarterbacks. Through four games, Hurts has 105 rushing yards on 21 attempts, with eight of those carries resulting in first downs.
Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, and the rest of Jacksonville’s front will need to generate pressure while maintaining their rush lanes. Overpursue, and Hurts has the ability to step through the opening and turn a collapsing pocket into a first down. The linebackers — particularly Foye Oluokun and Ventrell Miller — will need to remain alert once Hurts leaves the pocket, especially on third downs.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 5 key matchups to watch in Jaguars vs. Eagles in Week 5
