Getting the inside scoop from a franchise with no reason to be as sad as we are.
Fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars are concerned after a month of bad football, according to Big Cat Country writer Gus Logue. Cat Scratching Board
Fans of the Carolina Panthers should be gracious and try not to laugh at that statement.
The Jaguars have the opportunity to clinch the AFC South title tomorrow, with a little help. Read below about how backup quarterback CJ Beathard and wide receiver Calvin Ridley may or may not help them get there.
Logue and I also spoke about their passing defense struggles and why he may or may not be taking the Jags against the spread.
What are we expecting from C.J. Beathard this weekend?
It’s hard to tell what we can expect from C.J. Beathard this weekend. He has yet to start a game as a Jaguar, and all of his snaps with this team have come towards the end of games — usually in garbage time. So I’d expect the Jaguars to be far less aggressive on offense than they usually are with 16 behind center. When Jacksonville drops back to pass, there’s a good chance the ball will be out of Beathard’s hands in under two seconds, although don’t discount his arm strength on deep shots off play action.
What’s up with Calvin Ridley? The former Falcons reciever has been up and down this season. Are we expecting the Ridley-Beathard connection to pay off?
I spit out my drink as I read this- no, we are not expecting the Ridley-Beathard connection to pay off. Ridley has been frustratingly inconsistent this season. It was fair at the beginning of the season, considering how much time he’d spent away from the sport and that he was on a new team, but Ridley has continued to lack focus which has continued to lead to mistakes. In his defense, it’s apparent that Ridley remains a top-20 or so wide receiver in terms of pure talent, but he’s still one of many Jaguars to have an underwhelming season thus far.
Panthers fans have been checked out of the playoff race since Carolina was eliminated around Week 2. What is Jacksonville playing for this weekend?
If the Jaguars win, and the Texans and Colts both lose, then the Jaguars will clinch the AFC South along with a playoff berth. But if Jacksonville loses this week to a 2-13 Carolina squad, it’s probably a good bet that they’ll also lose at Tennessee in the regular season finale, which would be their sixth-straight loss and cause for major shakeup in the building next offseason.
Bryce Young had his first decent week, statistically, as a passer last week against the Packers. How likely is it that the Jags defense will allow him to build on and continue that success?
Well, if you’d asked me a month ago, I’d be feeling pretty confident. But the Jaguars have been embarrassed by Jake Browning, Joe Flacco, Lamar Jackson, and Baker Mayfield over the past four games. While I’d be surprised if the Panthers were able to reach 30 points for a second straight week, I’ve also lost all faith in this year’s version of the defense to take advantage of poor passers.
The Jags are now 4-point home favorites with Draftkings Sportsbook. Do you feel comfortable with that line given the questions at quarterback in Jacksonville this week?
No. Even with the news that Lawrence is out and the spread is now 4 instead of 6, I don’t feel comfortable picking Jacksonville to cover any game against any opponent at this point. Carolina may have the worst record in the league, but the Jaguars have arguably been the worst team in football over the past month.
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