The Philadelphia Eagles return home on Sunday to face the Jacksonville Jaguars and hopefully earn their sixth victory this season. They should be able to score some points on the Jags' defense. Duval's finest has already surrendered the fourth most total yards in the NFL (3,057).
Jalen Hurts should be able to light this squad up with his legs and arm. Only one team has given up more passing yards than Jacksonville has allowed this season.
The Jaguars have also struggled to keep points off the board in 2024. They have allowed 20 or more points in seven of their eight games. Still, they have played poorly, but they aren't void of playmakers. Here are three who could annoy the Birds in Sunday's matchup.
Also read: Jason Kelce is actually human!
EDGE Travon Walker
Travon Walker has been Jacksonville's sack machine. He leads the team with 6.5 QB takedowns. He's already near eclipsing his career high (ten sacks in 2023). He only needs four more sacks this year to do so.
The former first-overall selection has picked up steam as of late. In his last four games, he has recorded 4.5 sacks and 13 tackles.
Walker's best game of the season was in the 37-34 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week five, where he had three sacks and five tackles.
LB Ventrell Miller
Ventrell Miller spent his first season in the NFL on injured reserve, but in his second, he has shown promise. He's a potentially tackling machine for first-year defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.
Miller leads all Jags defenders in solo tackles (38) and total tackles (54). He has accomplished this despite only starting four of the first eight games.
He has flown all over the field as of late, racking up 45 tackles during the past five games. He's evidence that the NFL Draft isn't an exact science. He's a former fourth-round draft pick out of Florida who has played more like a late-first or second-rounder.
LB Devin Lloyd
Devin Lloyd has had a knack for finding the ball carrier. That's been the case for two seasons now. 242 tackles highlighted his first two. His third has been another showcase as he ranks second defensively with 50 total tackles. His 26 solo stops rank fifth among his teammates.
Lloyd's best game of the season so far came in Week 7. That was one of the rare shining moments from the Jags' season, a 32-16 win over the New England Patriots.
That one was in London, England. He pitched in with 11 tackles and one sack. Philly will need to keep their heads on swivels this Sunday.
Final Thoughts
The Eagles offense should have a day vs. the Jaguars' defense. Walker, Miller, and Lloyd are good but should also be potential victims of the onslaught. This is a good Jacksonville team in places, but the Birds are just better.
Philly should win and win easily, but if, for whatever reason, the Birds can't put up 20 or more points against this defense, there will be questions asked. Frankly, there should be. Philly is too talented for this game to be a stressful affair. We'll see you all at the game on Sunday.