You know what time it is, 12’s. With the Seattle Seahawks set to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars, it is time for another edition of Behind Enemy Lines. The Jaguars are not a common opponent for the Seahawks, with these two teams having met most recently during Halloween of the 2021 season. Back then, Urban Meyer was the head coach. Yeah, that long ago.
As such, we felt we needed to get a better idea of what kind of team Jacksonville is. To get such intel, we spoke with Paul Bretl of Jaguars Wire. We asked Bretl five questions about the Jags, and on teh flip side, he asked me five questions about the Seahawks. My answers to Bretl’s questions can be found here, and Bretl’s answers to our questions can be seen below:
No. 1 – The Jaguars are off to their first 4-1 start since 2007… what has fueled this early resurgence?
I would point to two things: Takeaways and a really strong run game to lean on. The Jaguars are forcing turnovers at a very high rate, which takes points off the board for opponents and gives the Jacksonville offense more scoring opportunities. The run game has been very effective, giving the Jaguars’ offense an element to lean on, not to mention that component is crucial to the overall success of the Liam Coen system.
No. 2 – What has HC Liam Cohen in his first season brought to the table compared to other coaches in years past?
There is a unique resiliency about this Jaguars team. A prime example of that was Monday against the Chiefs, when they overcame a 14 point deficit and then came from behind once again late in the game. Things haven’t always been smooth, but under Coen, this team plays hard for 60 minutes.
No. 3 – Who is a non-household name Jaguar that you think Seahawks fans should be aware of?
Cornerback Jourdan Lewis has been in the NFL for a number of years and previously played with Dallas, so I’m sure many know the player. But his importance to this defense can’t be overstated. That begins with his play in the nickel, where he is stout against the run and stingy in coverage, but also plays a crucial role in the pre-snap communication and quickly emerged as a leader on this team shortly after arriving in free agency.
No. 4 – Is there a position group you think the Jags have an edge at? Conversely, is there a Seahawks unit that gives you concern?
I mentioned the run game, but a lot of the success that the Jaguars have had on offense begins with the offensive line play. This unit was reshaped during the offseason and after a competitive summer to find the best starting five, they’ve operated at a high level. There’s a strong running game to lean on and Trevor Lawrence has had ample time in the pocket.
No. 5 – Who wins and why?
The Jaguars are finding ways to win, so I’m going to ride that momentum with them. The defense is extremely opportunistic, and each week the offense becomes smoother and smoother. Jaguars 24 – Seahawks 20.