The 2-13 Jacksonville Jaguars visit Gillette Stadium today. It has been a tumultuous season to say the least in Jacksonville with the firing of Urban Meyer and another lost season.
The Patriots and Jaguars have a lengthy history, particularly in the playoffs.
The two teams are meeting for the first time since the 2018 season when the Jaguars upset the Patriots 31-20 in Jacksonville. The Patriots are 7-1 against Jacksonville in the regular season and 11-2 overall. They are 8-0 overall against Jacksonville in home games, including 6-0 at Gillette Stadium.
Jacksonville is playing at Gillette Stadium for the first time since the 2017 AFC Championship Game when the Patriots rallied for a 24-20 victory to advance to Super Bowl LII on Jan. 21, 2018 at Gillette Stadium.
The teams also played in the 1996 AFC Championship Game, a 20-6 Patriots win. The Patriots lead the Jaguars 4-1 overall in postseason games.
Here’s what you need to know about the Jaguars
Head Coach: Darrell Bevell (Interim)
Offensive Coordinator: Brian Schottenheimer
Defensive Coordinator: Joe Cullen
Offense
The Jaguars were supposed to blend Spread and West Coast concepts but with Meyer out, look for more of a pro-style approach by the Jags.
Expect plenty of RPO’s. The Jaguars will want to run the ball and throw quick pass concepts off of it.
Laviska Shenault is a versatile receiver who touches the ball in a myriad of ways. Screens, jet sweeps, fly sweeps and maybe even a direct snap package.
Jacksonville will throw a lot of three step and quick five step routes. They want to get the ball out of Lawrence’s hands quick.
The Jaguars offense is now run by Brian Schottenheimer so the Patriots will see more personnel groupings than Jacksonville has showed this season.
Defense
The Jaguars are a base 4-3 but depending on the formation and personnel grouping, they will screw the strong safety down and get into an eight man fronts.
The Patriots will see a see a lot of bluffs upfront but it is window dressing. Jacksonville doesn’t blitz a ton.
Jacksonville will line up Josh Allen and Roy Robertson-Harris in wide five and nine techniques on passing downs. They want a consistent edge rush so that they can force the quarterback back inside to their heavies who do a good job of collapsing the pocket.
The Jaguars like to bring CAT blitzes off the boundary corner. It is one of their top edge pressures.
Jacksonville likes to run a variety of T-E stunts. They will bring their wide ends inside to A and B gap. The Patriots must do a good job of communicating and passing them on.
Depth Chart: Courtesy of Ourlads
