This Sunday the New Orleans Saints head South to face the hometown Jacksonville Jaguars, in a game between two playoff contenders. Both teams will be starting their backup quarterbacks, who have provided sparks for their offenses.
Here are four key matchups that could decide this Week 6 battle:
Jaguars’ defense vs. Alvin Kamara
Jacksonville had their hands full with Christian McCaffrey in their Week 5 game against the Carolina Panthers, and the star running back went on to have a career day, accumulating 237 total yards and three touchdowns. The Jaguars’ defense will now have to try to corral Saints star Alvin Kamara.
Kamara has been one of the league’s best backs the last few seasons, and the Jaguars will again have a tough test stopping the running attack of the Saints. I’m sure defensive coordinator Todd Wash has devoted a ton of time this week to the run defense, hopefully, it amounts to some improvement. Like McCaffrey, Kamara is also equally as dangerous out of the backfield.
Gardner Minshew II vs. Teddy Bridgewater
Minshew and Bridgewater have been better than their teams could have hoped for since becoming starters. The two have been accurate with the ball and made great decisions, putting their respective teams in position to win games. Minshew has one of the league’s best quarterback ratings at 105.6, and Bridgewater is not far behind at 99.5.
It will be another battle of the backups for Jacksonville. The defense will have to try to create pressure to force Bridgewater to make mistakes and take advantage when he does. The defense has praised the offense’s ability to score points; this week, it will be up to the defense to let Minshew go win them the game.
Jaguars secondary vs. Michael Thomas
Like Kamara, Saints receiver Michael Thomas is one of the league’s best and most dynamic at his position. He is one of the few receivers who has more yards than DJ Chark and has shown he is a difference-maker. The Jaguars’ secondary played a good game defensively against Kyle Allen last week, but the Panthers lack a true No. 1 receiver like Thomas.
Jalen Ramsey reported to practice Wednesday; if he can play this Sunday, this outlook could look completely different. Ramsey is one of the few corners in the game that has the potential to shut down a team’s best receiver. If he can’t, then A.J. Bouye will likely shadow the All-Pro receiver.
Jaguars defensive line vs. Saints offensive line
Both of these teams are solid in the trenches. The Saints boast one of the NFL’s best left tackles, Terron Armstead, and Jacksonville brings three elite edge rushers to the table as well in Calais Campbell, Yannick Ngakoue and rookie Josh Allen. The winner of this matchup could end up deciding the fate of the game.
The Saints have kept Bridgewater upright and the young quarterback has prospered because of it. The Jaguars will need to find ways to pressure Bridgewater, and force turnovers to help win the game. Look for Allen to have another big game coming in on fresher legs on passing downs.
