(Photo by Nancy DeLander Beecher)
By Jeff Moeller, Florida Sports Wire
JACKSONVILLE – Some hopes and some prayers.
On the surface of the Jaguars-Lions battle in Detroit Sunday, that’s what you may be initially thinking.
It has all the makings of a remake of the Christians heading into the Coliseum to face their lions.
Jacksonville enters the Motor City as a 14-point underdog to 8-1 Detroit, which is looming as this year destined for the Super Bowl. All of the signs have pointed that way.
When quarterback Jarrad Goff threw five interceptions last week and still kept his team in the game before they rallied for a game-winning field goal in the closing seconds, you know fate is on your side.
On paper, though, the Lions don’t look that dominant.
Goff has thrown for 2,080 yards with 19 touchdowns and six interceptions. Jahmyr Gibbs has rushed for 720 yards, and David Montgomery has added 520.
Defensively, they lost all-pro Aidena Hutchinson, and they are 28th in the league in passing yards allowed (244.22). They are a bit stinger against the run, allowing 100.78, which is sixth in the league.
Their 24 sacks – Hutchinson had 7.5 – are 14th, but their 13 interceptions are second. Kerby Joseph has six picks.
This is still a special team with a special coach. They know how to win as a team.
Dan Campbell is regarded as among the elite in his class, and he has the savvy of a riverboat gambler. Remember his bold moves in the NFC Championship Game last year that apparently caused his team a trip to the Big Dance?
Well, the Lions haven’t missed a beat. And this is without their emotional leader Hutchinson, who they lost early.
For the Jags, it’s another dose of Mac Jones, whose opening magic quickly evaporated. With Trevor Lawrence put again with a bad left shoulder, the thought here is to give Jones another shot and not resort to veteran C. J. Beathard.
Hopefully, familiarity will bring better results for Jones, who was out of sync last week. It may be difficult to produce less than their 143 yards of total offense and 10 first downs they had last week. Then again, it may be possible.
Tank Bigsby, who appeared ready to their prime back, has been slowed by a bad ankle and only carried twice last week. Brian Thomas Jr. was only targeted three times last week, and that has to change.
But the real test for Jacksonville will be their defense. They held Minnesota to three field goals inside the red zone and four overall even though the Vikings had the ball for over 42 minutes.
Foyesade Oluokon and Devin Lloyd were both steady forces, and the defense registered three interceptions, the first for rookie Montaric Brown.
They will definitely need the same type of effort or even better this week.
Unlike the Lions, the Jags’ defense has lacked consistency and intensity all season.
For the 2-8 Jags, there is little left to play for except their pride, and possibly their head coach, whose fate is still swinging like a pendulum.
Keep the faith and say your prayers. When you’re a 14-point underdog, you need them.
Yet, who knows? If the offense can find some magic, and the defense remains sturdy, the Lions’ den won’t be bad after all.
