2017 NFL Seattle at Jacksonville: Preview and Prediction

The Jacksonville Jaguars arrive at this game with an 8-4 record and this will be a chance for them to prove that they are serious contenders come playoff time. The Seahawks, who are no strangers to the playoffs, find themselves in an unusual position of battling the Los Angeles Rams for the NFC West title. So what will be the biggest keys to Seattle at Jacksonville, a clash between two probable playoff teams?

Protecting Russell Wilson

Seattle handled the Eagles’ defensive line well last week, allowing pressure on just 16 of 36 dropbacks. The Jaguars are very similar to the Eagles in terms of defensive line and are maybe a little more versatile then the Eagles. Calais Campbell may be the key to the entire Jaguars defense as he has accounted for 24 Quarterback pressures all by himself. The Seahawks offensive line has played much better over the last month of the season and it is imperative that if they want to win this game what happens at the line of scrimmage against the Jaguars vaunted pass rush may hold the key to winning this game.

Can the Jaguars get back to a run-first mentality?

The past few weeks have seen the Jaguars try to depend too much on quarterback Blake Bortles. This is a game in which they need to pound the ball right at the Seahawks and impose their will, if they can it should make it a lot easier on Bortles to throw the ball. If they can force the Seahawks to play with eight in the box to try and stop the run the Jaguars should have their way with the Seahawks defense which is missing a lot of their secondary due to injuries.

Prediction: I think the Jaguars’ defensive front and ability to run the ball give them the edge in this game.

Jaguars 24, Seahawks 23

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