As the week unfolds, here are three storylines to watch between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cardinals.

Following a big-time win, the Jacksonville Jaguars are back on the road in Week 12, this time taking on the Arizona Cardinals.

A win is going to be needed by the Jaguars in order to keep pace in the AFC playoff race.

Before the week of practices for these two teams begins, let’s highlight three storylines to watch for as the next several days unfold.

Will the Jaguars get some key players back from injury?

The Jaguars have been navigating several injuries to starters over the last few weeks. Brian Thomas Jr. and Jourdan Lewis have each missed the last two games.

Thomas Jr. was questionable for last Sunday’s game after being a limited participant all three days last week, while Lewis hasn’t returned to practice at this point since suffering his injury against the Raiders.

Also held out of last week’s game were Anton Harrison and Hunter Long. This will be Brenton Strange’s second week back at practice as well since being designated to return from injured reserve.

More disruption from the pass rush

Generating steady pressure on the quarterback has been an issue for much of the season for the Jaguars. However, against LA, this unit was quite disruptive.

According to PFF, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was under pressure on nearly 40% of his dropbacks. Not coincidentally, the LA passing game was unable to find steady traction in this game.

A strong pass rush changes the entire complexion of this Jaguars’ defense. Obviously, sacks are great, but pressure can also hurry the quarterback, disrupt the rhythm of the play, lead to turnovers, and it means less time in coverage for the defensive backs.

Schematically, for Anthony Campanile, it also means having to send fewer blitzes, and that help can go to the back end of the defense.

When it comes to how this Jaguars’ defense can take another step, it begins up front.

Can the Jaguars build off last week’s performance?

Given how the game ended in Houston, it felt like the Jaguars were at a fork in the road last week against LA. That is what makes the dominant performance on both sides of the ball all the more impressive.

There wasn’t this huge wave of momentum that Jacksonville was riding into that game. It was actually quite the opposite of that. But this group’s ability to bounce back in such a big way after such a brutal loss says a ton about Liam Coen’s squad.

Now, awaiting the Jaguars is a three-win Cardinals team. No NFL team should be overlooked, but the opportunity to build off of last week’s performance does exist, and when it comes to continuing this playoff push, the Jaguars need to capitalize.