The New Orleans Saints and Jacksonville Jaguars will help kick off Week 6 in a sneaky-good game filled with quality matchups. Whether it’s the prospect of the Saints using a position of strength (their surging defensive line) against an area of weakness for the Jaguars (their porous offensive line) or individual duels, there’s plenty of potential for highlight reel-worthy plays. They’ve each done a good job surrounding backup quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and Gardner Minshew with talented supporting casts. Here’s six specific matchups we’ll be watching closely.
Saints LB Demario Davis vs. Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette
Davis has done a lot to galvanize the Saints defense, regularly leading the defense in tackles while popping up in run defense, pass coverage, and the occasional blitz. He’s been a large part of an impressive run-stopping unit that hasn’t allowing a running back to gain 100-plus rushing yards in 31 consecutive games. Fournette, a hometown legend who starred for the LSU Tigers and currently ranks third in rushing yards (512) on the year so far, will put Davis and his teammates to the test.
Saints RG Larry Warford vs. Jaguars DL Calais Campbell
Campbell leads the Jaguars in both sacks (3) and quarterback hits (8), and he does it as an unconventional pass rusher who doesn’t prefer one particular alignment — instead, he lines up all over the defensive front to find his best matchup. Lately, he’s favored taking the field on the left side of the defense, putting his helmet over the outside shoulder of an opposing right guard. That would place Warford directly in his crosshairs. While Warford is a two-time Pro Bowler for the Saints, he handled this assignment poorly back in Week 2 against a similar talent in Los Angeles Rams superstar Aaron Donald.
Saints CB Eli Apple vs. Jaguars WR DJ Chark
While Marshon Lattimore may shadow elite receivers across the field (as he did in recent weeks against Mike Evans and Amari Cooper), expect Chark to line up predominately against Apple, who mans the right cornerback spot. Chark has been sensational for the Jaguars and leads the team in receptions (27), receiving yards (485), and touchdown catches (5) through their first five games. Depending on who you ask, Apple has been one of the Saints’ most-consistent defensive backs, along with safety Vonn Bell, and he’s proven capable of running with receivers like Chark.
Saints RT Ryan Ramczyk vs. Jaguars DE Josh Allen
Ramczyk has spent his 2019 season putting hides on the wall, shutting out top-flight pass rushers like J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Shaquil Barrett. Now, he’ll get a crack at one of most-hyped rookies of the year. Allen brings to the table a rare blend of speed and flexibility in a 6-foot-5, 262-pound frame, and unlike the other opponents Ramczyk has quieted he doesn’t have a lengthy library of game tape to study. There’s a chance Allen gives the Saints’ best offensive lineman something he hasn’t seen yet this season.
Saints RB Alvin Kamara vs. Jaguars LB Myles Jack
Jack came out of UCLA with a reputation as one of the best linebacker prospects in coverage in decades, but the NFL’s best passing-down running backs haven’t respected that scouting report. Carolina Panthers switchblade Christian McCaffrey reeled in six passes for 63 yards through the air a week ago, running his routes predominately into Jack’s coverage, flashing some of the same tricks Kamara has copyrighted to catch the linebacker flat-footed and evade attempts at tackling him. Kamara can do everything McCaffrey can, which means a lot of run-and-chase (and even more frustration) for Jack on Sunday.
Saints WR Michael Thomas vs. Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey
Thomas is paid like one of the best receivers in football, and he’s earned it this year, posting league-leading totals in receptions (45) and receiving yards (543). Ramsey wants to be paid like a top defensive back — if not the top defensive back — and a statement game against Thomas would do a lot to build his case. Ramsey has dueled top receivers like Thomas before, going blow-for-blow against players like Odell Beckham Jr. and squaring up with DeAndre Hopkins twice a year in the AFC South. If his back injury is behind him, Ramsey is capable of blanketing Thomas in pass coverage.
