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Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland Raiders: Three matchups to watch

By Daniel Davis

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Tight end Darren Waller #83 of the Oakland Raiders tries to avoid the tackle of cornerback Isaac Yiadom #26 of the Denver Broncos in the first quarter of the game at RingCentral Coliseum on September 09, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Tight end Darren Waller #83 of the Oakland Raiders tries to avoid the tackle of cornerback Isaac Yiadom #26 of the Denver Broncos in the first quarter of the game at RingCentral Coliseum on September 09, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 22: Darren Waller #83 of the Oakland Raiders runs the ball against Eric Wilson #50 of the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 34-14. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 22: Darren Waller #83 of the Oakland Raiders runs the ball against Eric Wilson #50 of the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Raiders 34-14. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

The Oakland Raiders will play host to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15, and here are three key matchups in the game to keep an eye on.

The Oakland Raiders have had an up and down season with the offensive struggling, even though Josh Jacobs has been playing lights out. The defense lost Vontaze Burfict and Johnathon Abrams in the first quarter of the season as well, and recently, they have not been able to stop anybody on that side of the ball.

While the Raiders have struggled against halfway decent and good teams this season, they’ve seemingly held their own against below-average teams.

As it stands in Week 15, the Raiders hold the 9th seed in the AFC Playoff picture behind the Tennessee Titans (8-5), Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5), and the Cleveland Browns (6-7). If they win this week, we may be hearing Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber blurting out “so you’re saying there’s a chance?”

However, more than likely the Raiders will be at home on their couches watching playoff football in 2019.

While the Raiders need help off the field, they’re going to need help on the field, too. The Jacksonville Jaguars are a much better team than their record shows. The 4-9 team comes in with a chip on their shoulders, as in 2016 they were one game away from getting to the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Since then, they’ve seen a lot of talent walk out the door in free agency and in trades. Jalen Ramsey is the most notable as the Los Angeles Rams traded three picks for the unruly cornerback, essentially, making half the field playable again. With Ramsey on the team last year, the Jags were second in total passing defense with 194 per game, compare that to the worst team, the Bengals, at 275 passing yards per game.

They also only allowed 17 passing touchdowns and forced 11 interceptions with 37 sacks, too.

However, 2019 is a different story. Jacksonville is ranked 14th in passing yards per game. They’ve allowed over 3,000 passing yards along with 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The biggest difference is the 96 QB rating versus last year which was under 80. But the secondary isn’t what’s scary, it’s the pass rush. Which brings me to my first point.

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