5 keys to the Packers beating the Jaguars in Week 8

The Green Bay Packers head to Florida to play the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at EverBank Stadium. After playing a couple of hotter-than-usual games at Lambeau Field, the Packers will face the Jaguars in the Florida heat and humidity.

After beating the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars through the first seven weeks, the Packers head into the AFC South on Sunday.

Here are five keys to the Packers beating the Jaguars in Week 8:

Another top OT game

The Jaguars rank last in the NFL in blitz percentage (16.1) through seven games, according to Pro Football Reference. Why is that? Jacksonville’s defense relies heavily on rushers Travon Walker and Josh Allen-Hines winning plays to create pressure. Much like last week when Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom faced Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, the Packers face another top rushing duo – Walker and Allen-Hines both have 25+ pressures. Two things: Can Walker and Tom keep the pair locked down in the passing game? And will the Jaguars change their strategy? Jordan Love is first in the NFL in yards per attempt and EPA when not tackled this season, according to Next Gen Stats.

Deep passing game

Don’t be surprised if both teams hit the field on Sunday. Trevor Lawrence ranks first in both attempts and completions on passes thrown 20+ yards this season, and rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has been a legitimate threat to start his first season. Can the Packers keep the lid on the Jaguars passing game? Safeties Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams will be tested, and the Packers need the pass rush to reduce the time it takes to develop deep plays. Defensively, a big weakness for the Jaguars is in the secondary and especially at safety. Could this be the game Christian Watson creates some big plays down the field? His speed against an average cornerback group and a weak safety group could be the difference.

Tackling Tank

Tank Bigsby is aptly named. He has forced 25 missed tackles on just 67 attempts, including 18 forced fumbles over the last three games. With Travis Etienne struggling and now nursing an injured hamstring, Bigsby has become the engine of the offense. He averages 4.58 yards after first contact, which is first among running backs with at least 50 carries, and his 25 missed tackles tied for fourth despite having 40 fewer carries than the other leaders. About one in seven carries for Bigsby gained 10 or more yards. He is a big threat. The Packers — who could be without linebacker Quay Walker (concussion) — need to get closer to the football and make tough tackles against an up-and-coming running back in the Florida heat on Sunday.

Protecting football

The Jaguars have just three fumbles this season, including just one interception. This is an opportunity for Jordan Love — who currently leads the NFL in interceptions — to play efficiently and without turnovers in the passing game. The Jaguars struggle to pressure the quarterback and struggle to cover receivers and tight ends. Add in the lack of coverage, and this is one of the worst defenses in football to start the 2024 season. Love and the Packers have a chance to control the game through the air and stifle any offensive attempts by protecting the football. Winning the turnover battle against a team that has struggled so mightily to generate results is a must.

Doesn’t make a mess on special teams

The Jaguars are one of the NFL’s best teams on special teams, ranking sixth in DVOA and second in PFF grade through seven games. Kicker Cam Little missed just one field goal, punter Logan Cooke ranks fourth in net play, Parker Washington returned a punt for a touchdown last week and the Jaguars rarely miss tackles or commit special teams penalties. Can the Packers bounce back from an up-and-down performance on special teams last week? Getting it wrong in the third phase is always a good way to keep an inferior opponent in the game.