Packers should pass their test with flying colors
By GERY WOELFEL
The line of demarcation between a winning team and a losing one in the NFL is indeed fine.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will attest to that
The Jaguars, who’ll host the Green Bay Packers Sunday in Jacksonville, have a 2-5 record. They face a steep, uphill battle to make the playoffs.
But, with a little break here and there, the Jaguars’ record could easily be reversed as three of their losses could have easily been wins.
To wit:
- The Jaguars lost by three points to the Dolphins.
- They lost by five points to the Browns.
- They lost by four points to the Texans.
In other words, the Jaguars could easily be 5-2 – just like the Packers.
That’s perhaps one of the reasons the odds-makers have mad the Packers’ a mere four-point favorite against the Jaguars.
Those same odds-makers seem to understand the Jaguars aren’t nearly as bad as their record indications. What’s more, they know the Jaguars can be an explosive team. They have a highly regarded young quarterback in Trevor Lawrence and a dynamite receiver in rookie Brian Thomas.
And running back Tank Bigsby has played well in place of injured Travis Etienne. Bigsy has rushed for more than 90 yards in three of the Jaguars last four games and ranks 15th in the league in rushing yards with 415.
Yes, the Jaguars can be a quality offensive team. The same can’t be said about their defense. It’s horrible – especially against the pass.
The Jaguars have allowed 273.9 passing yards per game. That’s the second-worst in the NFL. It’s a given the Packers will exploit the Jaguars’ inability to defend the pass early and often, considering they have one of the most potent passing games in the league.
The Packers, led by quarterback Jordan Love and a deep and talented receiving corps, rank sixth in the NFL in passing yards per game at 381.1.
If Love comes out firing, as one fully expects him to do, this game won’t be close — like some of the other Jaguars encounters this season.
Prediction: Packers 34, Jaguars 20.
