Eagles versus Jaguars: Obvious narratives, predicting the outcome
By Ryan Loftus
There’s more to the Philadelphia Eagles’ Week 4 matchup than meets the eye.
Think back to February of 2018. What if the Philadelphia Eagles had faced the Jacksonville Jaguars in Super Bowl LII instead? What if the Jags had beaten the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game? It certainly changes things, doesn’t it? Here we are five years later, and even though it’s early, the Eagles and Jaguars are both on a hot streak. Sunday’s Week 4 matchup doubles as only the second time they’ve met since Philly hoisted the Lombardi Trophy at season’s end.
The Eagles and Jaguars have both been on a roller coaster since 2017. The Eagles were seemingly a few plays away from their second consecutive NFC Championship Game in January of 2019. That includes the final offensive play of Nick Foles‘ career in Philly, one where his final pass went through Alshon Jeffery’s grasp and into the waiting hands of Marshon Lattimore. The Jaguars have gone in a different direction.
They’ve joined the AFC’s bottom-feeders, having only won on occasion. In 2020, the Eagles were only able to manage a 4-11-1 record and ranked among the NFC’s worst teams. There was also a huge shift in their tide as a regressing Carson Wentz was replaced at quarterback by rookie Jalen Hurts.
Fast forward to the present, and the Eagles are undefeated after the first three weeks of the current regular season. The Jaguars are coming off of a dominant 28-point victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Both teams have emerged as favorites in their division. In Week 4, they face each other.
This is also a big game for both teams’ quarterbacks. Trevor Lawrence won the first road of his career last week, and he will look to keep the momentum going as he travels to Philly. Jalen Hurts has been electric, leading the league in rushing touchdowns, and ranking top third in passing and rushing yards per game. Hurts looks to continue this success into Week 4 and further cement the Eagles as a true contender.
That’s something to keep in mind as kickoff approaches. Here are two other backstories that you may also see as being interesting.