If you’d have told me before the season started that the Week 12 game between the Chargers and Jaguars would feature a team in the playoff hunt and a team in the mix for the number one overall pick in the draft I’d have probably believed you.
If you’d have told me the Jags are the ones looking for a post-season spot and the Bolts have one of the NFL’s worst records I’d have probably had you committed. However, seeing the way this season has gone it makes perfect sense.
Jacksonville is trending up. This young team finally has enough pieces in place to win games consistently and sits just a game out of first place in the AFC South. San Diego is trending down. This team with a whole ton of talent has pieces in place to be contending in the AFC West but has been the single biggest disappointment in the NFL this season.
Here are three players to keep an eye one Sunday at EverBank Field, for they hold the keys to victory or defeat:
Ryan Carrethers, DT
Sean Lissemore is a question mark with an injury so there should be a lot of snaps for Carrethers. He’s showed signs of being a solid player but has also been a non-factor in games. The Jags have handed the keys of the offense to 2nd-year QB Blake Bortles, who has already nearly doubled his touchdown output from a year ago. But, Jacksonville also has a rookie running back that’s shown signs of being a good one. T.J. Yeldon has become their feature back, averaging 4.0 yards per carry. Carrethers will be counted on to get a push up the middle and pressure Bortles while also slowing Yeldon. If he can do that the Chargers defense that’s 31st in the NFL against the run will have a chance to stay in the game.
Melvin Gordon, RB
While we’ve been saying for a couple of months now that Gordon needs a breakout game to help QB Philip Rivers out, he’s on the list this week because he’s going to be needed in pass protection. The Jags have not been able to generate a fantastic pass rush with their front-seven. In fact, their sacks leader is Aaron Colvin, who has dropped the quarterback 4.0 times … and he’s a cornerback. So the Jags will blitz a lot to generate pressure and that means the running backs MUST be up-to-speed on picking up the pressures. We know Danny Woodhead does that. Gordon will have to be up to par to keep the defensive backs from teeing off on Rivers.
Bond … James Bond, MI6
I honestly could not thing of anyone else for the final spot in our three guys to watch and since I saw SPECTRE on Friday I figured the world’s greatest spy might be the only one who can save the Chargers season, and possibly Head Coach Mike McCoy’s job. I’m expecting a roster move to announce the signing of Bond some time on Saturday.
Derek’s Prediction
The Jags are playing meaningful games late in the season for the first time in years. The Chargers are playing out the string. The team with something to play for plays like it and gets its 3rd straight victory, handing the Chargers their longest losing streak since 2001 when they lost nine straight to finish the year (by the way that was the last season under Mike Riley, who was replaced in 2002 by one Marty Schttenheimer).
Bond will not arrive in time to save the day on this one. Perhaps next week.
Final score: Jaguars 20, Chargers 16
