WEEK 1 PREVIEW : PANTHERS @ JAGS

The Jaguars host the Panthers in their 2015 Home Opener!

by
 scott klein &
jordan de lugo

Panthers @ Jags

9/13/15  1pm
Watch Live: Fox
Radio: 92.5 fm, 1010 am

          In 1995, the Panthers and the Jaguars both played their first games as NFL teams (against the Falcons and the Oilers, respectively); 20 years later they square off in the Jaguars 2015 home opener. Both organizations have had their ups and downs, but with a new season, comes hope and excitement. The Panthers are the 3.5 point favorite over the Jaguars, which comes as no surprise, as the Jaguars have won only nine games the past three seasons.

          But do not despair Jags fans, this season the Jaguars are ready to compete with teams like the Panthers. The Jags have a revamped offensive line, lead by one of the best offensive line coaches in the business, Doug Marrone. They have retooled their offensive weapons by adding Julius Thomas (out for week one and beyond), and by drafting T.J. Yeldon and Rashad Greene. The Jags also added four new starters on defense in Jared Odrick, Dan Skuta, Sergio Brown, and Davon House. With the new influx of talent and the experience gained over the last several seasons by their younger players, the Jaguars feel confident that their team is finally built to win. That said, it all hinges on the development of Blake Bortles. Bortles has said and done all the right things and looked really sharp in preseason. All of the hard work this offseason by the Jaguars’ players and front office has led up to this moment. 

View image | gettyimages.com

Jags Offense vs Panthers Defense: The Jaguars’ offense should be fairly successful against a Panthers’ defense that has two starters missing on the defensive line. The Panthers do have one of the best, if not the best, linebackers in the NFL, in Luke Kuechly. He will be wreaking havoc all over the field on Sunday. Next to him is another excellent linebacker, Thomas Davis. These two combine to make the Panthers’ linebacker group one of the strongest in the league. The Panthers’ secondary is lead by aging veterans Charles “Peanut” Tillman and Roman Harper. Look for the Jaguars to run a bunch of two tight end sets to take advantage of mismatches, similar to what the Patriots did to the Panthers in week three of the preseason. Not having Star Lotulelei will hurt the Panthers run defense a great deal and could open up holes in the middle for the Jaguars’ runners. Beyond the running game, the Jaguars will look to second year receiver, Allen Robinson, early and often. He has star potential and has been anointed by nearly every fantasy football guru as the next big star. The Panthers do not have a cornerback that can match up with Robinson and that will be something that the Jaguars will look to take advantage of through out the game. 

View image | gettyimages.com

View image | gettyimages.com

Jags Defense vs Panthers Offense: The Panthers’ offense is lead by one of the most athletic quarterbacks the league has ever seen in Cam Newton.  However, that has rarely lead them to score amongst the leagues’ elite. Newton has not developed into the consistent passer of the ball that fans expected, and he is without his best weapon, second year wide receiver, Kelvin Benjamin. Despite not having his strongest weapon, and not being a consistent passer, Newton is still a major threat to take it the distance at any time, and will provide a true test for the Jaguars’ young defense. In addition to containing Newton, the Jaguars will have to keep tabs on one of the most under rated tight ends in the NFL, Greg Olsen, who was able to rack up seven catches and a score in his last meeting with the Jaguars. The Panthers are a run based offense that will lean on running back, Jonathan Stewart, to carry the load offensively. The Jaguars need their run stuffers on the defensive line and in their linebacker group to take advantage of the Panthers’ below average offensive line. 

Special Teams: The Jaguars will have three new starters on special teams. In his first regular season start, strong legged rookie kicker, Jason Myers, will look to make a better first impression for the Jags than his predecessor, Josh Scobee, did for the Steelers on Thursday night. Rashad Greene, the rookie receiver out of FSU, will return punts and Corey Grant, the rookie running back out of Auburn, will be taking kick offs. With three rookies playing such a vital role on special teams, it might lead some fans to be nervous, but these three are well equipped to handle the job. On the other side of things, the Panthers have one of the best return men the league has seen in recent years, Ted Ginn Jr. The Jaguars’ coverage unit needs to stay focused when covering kicks fielded by Ginn, who is a true speedster.

          The Jaguars will have their hands full on Sunday, but they have the pieces in place to win games; and with the Panthers on the mend, having several key players out for this matchup, the Jags should be up to the task.  This one will be close, but I’m predicting a narrow 23-21 victory for the hometown Jaguars, that could very well be won on a late kick from the rookie, Jason Myers. 

View image | gettyimages.com

Injuries: 

Jaguars: Andre Branch, Sen'Derrick Marks, and Julius Thomas are all OUT; Marqise Lee is doubtful; Toby Gerhart is questionable; Michael Bennett, John Cyprien, Bryan Walters and LaRoy Reynolds are all probable

Panthers: Star Lotulelei, Richie Brockel, and Nate Chandler are all OUT; Ryan Kalil, Josh Norman, and Teddy Williams are probable