The Jacksonville Jaguars are riding a win streak, but the same can’t be said about their Week 7 opponent.
Jacksonville has won three straight, but the New Orleans Saints have lost three of their last four games. The Saints have a handful of impactful players, but the Jaguars roster seems to have more talent, and they’ve hit a groove.
Jacksonville’s players are stepping it up and the team has seen vast improvements during a three-game win streak against the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, and Indianapolis Colts.
Here are five Jaguars players to watch in their Week 7 game against the Saints:
QB Trevor Lawrence
Despite the Jaguars winning by 17 on Sunday, quarterback Trevor Lawrence had one of his least impressive games of the season. Lawrence completed 20 of 30 passes for 181 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
While not a horrible game, Lawrence could use a bounce back this week. The issue is he was banged up in Jacksonville’s win over the Colts.
Lawrence tweaked his knee on a sack in the last minute of Sunday’s game. His MRI reportedly showed a slight knee sprain, and his status for Thursday is up in the air.
While Lawrence will likely be questionable to play, backup passer C.J. Beathard said he expects the starter to play Thursday.
OT Anton Harrison
Rookie offensive tackle Anton Harrison has faced a gauntlet of defensive lines through the first six games of his rookie season.
He faced the Colts, Falcons, Bills and Kansas City Chiefs. While they all had strong defensive fronts, Harrison had his welcome to the NFL moment against the Chiefs.
Harrison lined up across from defensive lineman Chris Jones and had trouble keeping up with the veteran. This week, his streak of tough defensive linemen continues with the Saints’ Cameron Jordan.
Jordan is a strong, experienced defensive lineman, and if matched up with Harrison, the rookie will have to step up against a tough player.
TE Evan Engram
Tight end Evan Engram has been debatably Lawrence’s most reliable target this year. And now he will face an uninspiring linebacker group.
While the Saints have Demario Davis, who has been consistently a top linebacker, he is the only standout player on the unit and his status for the game seems to be in doubt. Either way, Engram will have plenty of opportunities to make plays.
Davis isn’t as athletic as Engram at this point in his career, and the Saints don’t have many other players who can keep up with Engram. With Engram being a consistent threat and the Saints not having the personnel to stop him, the veteran tight end could be in line for a big day.
LB Devin Lloyd
The Saints have plenty of players who could hurt Jacksonville over the middle of the field. Running back Alvin Kamara can run through any gap on the field, and Michael Thomas works best in the short to intermediate parts of the field.
Therefore, the Jaguars’ linebackers will have their role etched out for them.
Linebacker Devin Lloyd played for the first time since Week 3 last week. He had nine total tackles and two deflected passes in the victory.
Now, he is thrust back into a tough situation, as he still adjusts to being back in the lineup.
CB Montaric Brown
With starting cornerback Tyson Campbell banged up and out of action, the rest of the Jaguars’ cornerback room will need to be at the top of its game. Darious Williams and Tre Herndon III will need to be lockdown corners, but they’re not who will have the most pressure on them.
Montaric Brown stepped in for Campbell after he exited the game Sunday, and he’ll be called upon to do the same Thursday.
Brown had four total tackles in Sunday’s game against the Colts.
