Eagles vs. Predictions Jaguars for Week 9 of the NFL season originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Eagles (5-2) host the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday afternoon.
Let’s get to the predictions:
Ruben Frank (2-5)
A few weeks ago I said that I truly believed that this four-game stretch against the Browns, Giants, Bengals and Jaguars would go a long way in determining not only what kind of 2024 season the Eagles would have, but also in the larger entirely what Nick Sirianni’s future would be. Four teams with losing records, four games that looked like wins on paper, four opponents with a combined record of 8-19 when the Eagles faced them, four chances to find out if Sirianni still had what it takes to put this team on to get on track towards. Here we are, and not only have the Eagles taken care of business in the first three of those games, they’ve also looked really good in terms of road wins in the last two. There is much to encourage. The young defense. The running game. Jalen hurts. If the Eagles lose to the Jaguars they are still 3-1 through this stretch and 5-3 at the half. But I like what I see and I feel like if the Eagles play like they have the last three weeks, they won’t lose. The Jags do some things well – they run well and Trevor Lawrence can be dangerous – and you know Doug Pederson will have them ready on Sunday, and I don’t think this will be a cakewalk. But I like where the Eagles are, and I see another win here.
Eagles 30, Jaguars 21
Dave Zangaro (3-4)
The Eagles earned their most impressive win of the season last week in Cincinnati against a team that should have given them a tougher fight. So not to take anything away from the Jaguars, who have been better in recent weeks, but this is another game the Eagles should win easily. The Jaguars definitely have some good players on defense. They have two very good edge rushers and a great trio of linebackers. But their pass defense ranks 31st in the NFL and the Eagles should be able to score.
And on defense, the Eagles have really stepped up their game and will have to deal with a Jaguars offense that will be without Christian Kirk and has two other starting wideouts and a run game that hasn’t really gotten going. Trevor Lawrence is still a good player and he might be able to make some plays, but he won’t be able to make enough.
Eagles 27, Jaguars 13
Barrett Brooks (4-3)
This is a benchmark for the Eagles. Most thought last week because of the match against Joe Burrow. But I think this week we’ll really see if the Birds have turned the corner on gaining a real identity. Physical play should be the key. This means that you do not play at the opponent’s level. This is a game where the Eagles have to prove that the Jaguars don’t even belong on the same field. Punish this team. I don’t want OC Kellen Moore throwing the ball just because Jacksonville has a bottom five defense against the pass. Run the ball just because you have to, and punish that defensive front first before throwing the ball. First strengthen that identity!
Defensively, Vic Fangio should unleash the dogs. Let that D-line get Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars are really on the attack. I’m going to make Josh Sweat my bold prediction and say that Sweat 2.0 will have sacks against new starting LT Walker Little.
Eagles 31, Jaguars 17
Mike Mulhern (5-2)
Nick Sirianni said on the latest episode of “Unscripted” that his team should treat praise like perfume. Smell it, but don’t drink it. Well, his team is starting to smell like a real Super Bowl contender after reeling off back-to-back wins by 20 or more points. The offense was buzzing at a rate of 37 points in Cincinnati and the defense is rallying around a group of young, talented playmakers. This week they get a Jaguars team that is beat up, has already sold players and is seemingly on the precipice of a coaching change. Doug Pederson’s club was 8-3 and ranked No. 1 in the AFC at one point last season. A 1-5 loss combined with a 2-6 start this year puts him firmly on the hot seat. This feels like the week the Eagles finally start fast and put the Jags away early. Take another pinch.
Eagles 30, Jaguars 13
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