If the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to defeat the Tennessee Titans on Sunday and secure the AFC South title, what must happen?
ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen recently answered that question. His answer revolves around wide receiver Jakobi Meyers.
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Bowen’s key for Jacksonville is to target Meyers when lined up in their 3×1 sets.
The first time that the Jaguars and Titans met in Week 13, Bowen noted that Meyers was 5-for-5 when targeted out of these 3×1 sets, totaling 83 yards with a touchdown.
“Liam Coen played him at both Z and X receiver,” Bowen wrote. “This allowed Coen to scheme for Meyers at multiple levels of the field on three-man concepts to the front side of the formation, while also setting him up as a backside/isolation target for quarterback Trevor Lawrence on deep in-breakers.”
Since joining the Jaguars after the NFL trade deadline, Meyers has made an immediate impact and provided stability to the Jacksonville passing game with his reliability as a route runner and pass catcher.
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In eight games with the Jaguars, Meyers has caught 37-of-53 passes (69.8%) for 439 yards with three touchdowns, according to PFF.
Along with his production, Meyers’ presence helps open up Liam Coen’s offense with his versatility, ability as a run-blocker, and willingness to attack the middle and intermediate levels of the field.
So when the Jaguars have three wideouts on the field on Sunday, Trevor Lawrence could be looking Meyers’ way quite often.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: NFL analyst selects Jaguars’ key to defeating Titans in Week 18