The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Oakland Raiders face off against each other Sunday. The two teams had great promise coming into the season because of the young, talented players on their rosters. The Raiders have followed through on their promise, starting the season 4-2. The Jaguars, on the other hand, stumbled out of the gates, losing their first three games of the season. But they have won their last two and hope to keep the wins coming. With the game a few days away, it’s time to take a look into the key matchups that will most likely influence the outcome of the game.
Key Jacksonville Jaguars-Oakland Raiders Player Matchups
Khalil Mack vs. Jacksonville’s Offensive Tackles
Khalil Mack is one of the best rushers in the NFL even though his two sacks this season don’t necessarily reflect that. Mack had 15 sacks in his second year and ravaged the Broncos offensive line to the tune of five sacks during Week 13 of 2015. He has game changing ability and can wreck an offensive’s game plan. Mack can line up on the defensive left side or right side depending on which matchup the Raiders prefer. Kelvin Beachum mans the left tackle position and has performed reasonably well for his first year back from tearing his ACL. Mack will be the biggest test yet for the veteran. Jermey Parnell is the right tackle and has played even better in his second year as a Jaguar, but he has been flagged four times already for holding. Parnell could have his hands full on Sunday just hopefully not full of jersey.
Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree vs. Jalen Ramsey and Prince Amukamara
These matchups will be the most exciting of the day for the game. Cooper is just in his second year but has already proven to be one of the best receivers in the game when he’s not dropping the ball. Crabtree is a proven veteran with savvy route running ability and tremendous hands. Ramsey should matchup against Cooper, pitting two young players with massive potential against each other. Amukamara should line up across from Crabtree, allowing two technicians to compete against each other. Ramsey had the biggest test of his short career last week against Alshon Jeffrey. He struggled in the first half, but virtually shut down Jeffrey in the second and made the game saving deflection. Ramsey should be his usual confident self against the soft spoken Cooper. Crabtree will work to use his height advantage over Amukamara, so it will be interesting to see how Amukamara covers the Oakland wide out.
Jack Del Rio vs. Gus Bradley
The two are obviously not players so this is technically cheating, but nevertheless the matchup is very important. Del Rio is returning to Jacksonville where he coached for nine seasons and led the Jaguars to their last playoff berth in 2007. Mike Mularkey’s single season as head coach separates Del Rio and Gus Bradley’s tenures. Del Rio was 68-71 as Jacksonville’s head coach while Bradley is currently 14-39. It’s a severe understatement to say Bradley has struggled to lead the Jaguars the past 4 years. He has the second worst winning percentage in NFL history for head coaches at .264, yet he was given a one-year extension in the offseason. To lose in Jacksonville against Del Rio who Bradley essentially replaced could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for Bradley’s chances of keeping his job. Look for Bradley to have the Jaguars as motivated as ever to win for their head coach come Sunday. Hopefully he can also have them as coached up as ever, something he’s been historically bad at doing.
