Game Preview: Jaguars vs. Eagles

There are a few other storylines than the ones mentioned above, so let's delve into them now…

1. Injuries will again play a key role in Sunday's game

Well, the Eagles have adapted to lineup challenges due to injuries this season and have shown great depth in compiling a 5-2 record. Left tackle Jordan Mailata is on injured reserve, so Fred Johnson, who played so well in last week's win at Cincinnati, will start there again. Grant Calcaterra and Jack Stoll have teamed up to replace Dallas Goedert, who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. On defense, cornerback Darius Slay is sidelined with a groin injury, and Isaiah Rodgers is a likely candidate to step in and step up, as he did last week on a tip-drill play that safety CJ Gardner-Johnson completed magnificently Late game interception.

Rodgers, an example of how Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman built the roster here – the Eagles signed Rodgers in 2023 after he was suspended by the NFL for violating the league's gambling policy and then released by Indianapolis – sets continued his rise.

“I look at it as an opportunity and I’ve always valued that,” he said. “The journey I have been on is still growing. Coming back on the field and being here, I love everything about it, so the chance to get on the field and help this team win is something that's very gratifying to me.”

Jacksonville will be without guard Ezra Cleveland and wide receiver Christian Kirk is out, and the Jaguars have a number of players listed as questionable due to injuries who have limited their practice time this week.

2. QB Trevor Lawrence is the focal point of the defense

Trevor Lawrence, one of the league's most gifted quarterbacks, has a lot to carry given the uncertainty surrounding injuries. The Eagles know Lawrence can make every throw in and out of the pocket, he's extremely mobile, he can take off and run (105 rushing yards this season), and when the game gets hot, Lawrence is as good as it gets .

“Big guy, strong, can throw from any angle,” linebacker Zack Baun said of Lawrence, who has 11 touchdown passes and four interceptions this season. “If he has a chance to escape, he will take it and hurt you.”

The Eagles must win on first and second downs and attack Lawrence with a subdued but aggressive pass rush. He's been sacked just 16 times this season, and in a last-second loss to Green Bay last week, Lawrence completed eight passes for 20 yards to six different receivers.

3. Win the turnover battle, win the game

It seems like a pretty simple thing: The Eagles haven't turned the ball over in their last three games and have won all three. Great trend. Excellent ball security. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has been a leader in a dynamic offense since the bye week and appears to be growing more and more into Kellen Moore's offense. The Eagles distributed the ball and were balanced offensively.

Note on Trevor Lawrence: He has 22 fumbles lost and 65 giveaways since 2021, the most in either category in the NFL.