The Jacksonville Jaguars are the AFC version of the Falcons.
With the signing of quarterback Nick Foles, the Jaguars were a sexy exhibition-season pick to return to the playoffs.
They played in the AFC Championship game after the 2017 season and were considered a Super Bowl contender this season if they could find a quarterback. They finally cut ties with Blake Bortles and signed Foles as the new savior.
But the Foles signing hasn’t worked out, and cornerback Jalen Ramsey forced a trade as the Jaguars’ season of promise turned upside down. The Jaguars (5-9) were eliminated from the playoffs two weeks ago and like the Falcons (5-9) will be playing for pride at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Jaguars, who returned to rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew, have some momentum after defeating the Raiders 20-16 on Sunday to snap a five-game losing streak.
“We’ve been struggling, and that’s my fault,” Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said to the Jacksonville media Monday.
But the Falcons have struggled against AFC teams in recent years. They are 0-3 against AFC teams this season and are 1-10 against AFC teams since losing Super Bowl LI to New England. The Falcons have lost seven consecutive games to AFC teams.
Their last win over an AFC team was against the Jets, 25-20 on Oct. 29, 2017.
“In my preparation for them, the thing that really jumped out is that this is a really talented offensive line,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “Two big tackles in (rookie Jawaan) Taylor and (Cam) Robinson outside. Two big guards in (Andrew) Norwell and (A.J.) Cann inside. (Brandon) Linder has been kind of a staple for them at center inside. It’s one of the better offensive lines that we’ll face.”
Foles, who guided the Eagles to an upset victory over the Falcons in the divisional round of the 2017 playoffs on his way to the Super Bowl LII title and MVP, was signed in free agency to a four-year, $88 million deal in March.
The Jaguars went all-in with $50.1 million in guaranteed money and would face a $33.87 million salary-cap hit if they released him before June 1.
Foles suffered a broken clavicle in the season opener, a 40-26 loss to the Chiefs. He returned to start three games, but was benched against Tampa Bay in a loss on Dec. 1.
Minshew, a sixth-round pick out of Washington State, returned to the lineup and is 5-5 as a starter after the win over Oakland.
Minshew got hot and led a second-half comeback over the Raiders. He made 17 of 29 completions for 201 yards. Over the final three possessions, he completed 14 of 18 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
“Quarterback-wise, he gets out of the pocket, and he can rip it,” Quinn said. “He can run. He definitely has that gunslinger mentality when he can get outside to go.”
The Jaguars are hoping to get wide receiver D.J. Chark back from an ankle injury Wednesday. He’s been cleared for running and has caught 67 passes for 956 yards and eight touchdowns.
“I think there’s a good chance he’ll be able to come back and play,” Marrone said. “That’s what his mindset is, and that’s good. He’s on the field running and cutting, and that’s a great sign.”
Former Georgia standout Chris Conley starts at wide receiver. He caught two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to help the Jaguars rally over the Raiders.
“From a receiver standpoint, they’ve got real speed from a local guy like Chris Conley, D.J. Chark, and (Dede) Westbrook, all of those guys can really go,” Quinn said.
The Jaguars are leaning heavily on running back Leonard Fournette, who has 250 carries for 1,081 yards and three touchdowns. He’s also caught 73 passes for 488 yards.
“Fournette is probably having his best year,” Quinn said.
On defense, the Jaguars have a stout line that’s anchored by Calais Campbell (6.5 sacks) and Yannick Ngakoue (eight sacks). Also, rookie Josh Allen, who was the seventh overall pick in the 2019 draft from Kentucky, has 10 sacks.
“Yannick’s probably coming off of his best game that he’s had from a standpoint of playing the run, rushing the passer,” Marrone said.
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