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Game example: Jaguars vs. Eagles

There are a few more storylines to follow besides the above, so let’s delve deeper into those now…

1. Injuries again play a key role in Sunday’s game

For the Eagles, they have become accustomed to lineup challenges this season due to injuries and have shown great depth in posting a 5-2 record. Left tackle Jordan Mailata is on Injured Reserve, so Fred Johnson, who played so well in last week’s win over Cincinnati, starts there again. Grant Calcaterra and Jack Stoll are teaming up to replace Dallas Goedert, who is out with a hamstring injury. On defense, cornerback Darius Slay is out with a groin injury, and Isaiah Rodgers is a likely candidate to step in and step up, as he did last week with a tip-drill play that largely shut down safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson completed. late-game interception.

Rodgers, an example of how Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman built the roster here — the Eagles signed Rodgers in 2023 after he was suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s gambling policy and then released by Indianapolis — puts its advance continues.

“I look at it like it’s an opportunity and that’s something I’ve always cherished,” he said. “The journey I have been on is still growing. Being back on the field and being here, I love everything about it, so to have the opportunity to get on the field and help this team win is something that is very satisfying for me.”

Jacksonville will be without guard Ezra Cleveland, and wide receiver Christian Kirk is out, and the Jaguars have a number of players listed as questionable with injuries that have limited their practice time this week.

2. QB Trevor Lawrence is the focus for the defense

Trevor Lawrence, one of the more gifted quarterbacks in the league, has a lot on his shoulders with all the uncertainty from the injuries. The Eagles know Lawrence can make every throw in and out of the pocket, he is extremely mobile, he can take off and run (105 rushing yards this season), and when things are going well, Lawrence is as good as it gets.

“Big guy, strong, can throw from any angle,” linebacker Zack Baun said of Lawrence, who has 11 touchdown passes and four interceptions this season. “If he gets a chance to run away, he’ll take it and hurt you.”

The Eagles must win on first and second downs and pursue Lawrence with a controlled, yet aggressive pass rush. He has been sacked just 16 times this season, and in a last-second loss to Green Bay last week, Lawrence completed eight passes of more than 20 yards to six different receivers.

3. Win the turnover battle, win the game

It seems pretty simple: the Eagles haven’t turned the ball over in the last three games and they’ve won all three. Great trend. Excellent ball security. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has spearheaded a dynamic offense since the bye week and seems to be growing into Kellen Moore’s offense. The Eagles have spread the ball around and are balanced offensively.

Note on Trevor Lawrence: He has 22 lost fumbles and 65 giveaways since 2021, the most in either category in the NFL.