Eagles vs Jacksonville: Analyzing each Jaguars unit (and how to attack)

The defensive line and second level may be the Jaguars’ biggest assets.

The defensive line

Defensively, the Jaguars have a bunch of young, talented, and athletic players, especially in the front seven, due in large part to a series of draft picks after poor seasons.

30 fronts are similar to 50 fronts in that they are odd fronts where defensive ends (30 fronts) or defensive tackles (50 fronts) line up in a parallel alignment, i.e.., both line up in 2i or 4i techniques. In an even front conversely, say a 40 front, defensive tackles are often in non-parallel alignments, i.e., one defensive tackle aligns in a 1 tech (the outside shoulder of the center) while the other defensive tackle lines up in a 3 tech (the outside shoulder of the guard).

In terms of stopping the run, Josh Allen and Devin Lloyd stand out. Though Allen is an edge rusher and Lloyd is an inside linebacker, both players are aligned throughout the defensive formations. The stars of the Eagles’ run game are Jason Kelce, Jordan Mailata, and Lane Johnson. Though the Eagles are running a ton of empty this season, formations with no other skill players in the backfield, and Coach Steichen seems to prefer WR screens to RB screens, they should have a great day running screen passes.

In terms of rushing the passer, Allen, Davon Hamilton, Adam Gotsis, Folorunso Fatukasi, and Dawuane Smoot are well graded. A strong Jaguars pass rush is matched by a strong Eagles pass protection. Historically, last season, the Eagles struggled to find running backs that excelled in pass pro. For this reason, the Eagles signed Trey Sermon from San Francisco and Kennedy Brooks as a UDFA from Oklahoma.

Both are physical players, which bodes well for pass pro, but two other running backs are positively graded for pass pro.

Linebackers/ILB

While Devin Lloyd and Foyesade Oluokun provide strong support against the run, Oluokun is less strong against the pass. In addition to quick slants and other in-breaking shallow routes, the Eagles will likely also attack the flats once Tyson Campbell and Shaquill Griffin are committed to deep zones in zone match coverage against AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith.

As much as Miles Sanders is massively improved over last season in terms of running with more decisiveness, physicality, and ball security (and as much as he’s improved in pass protection, he isn’t much of a receiver. Kenny Gainwell also provide less help to the passing game.

Thankfully, the Eagles’ tight ends, at least two of them, are great receivers, Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra. They should be able to help Philly move the chains on third down.