Cowboys vs. Trevor Lawrence’s Jaguars: Preseason Preview
The Dallas Cowboys host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday to kick off each team's first of three exhibition games this preseason. Dallas is coming off its second-consecutive 12-win season and a second-place finish in the NFC East. But a second postseason loss in a row to the San Francisco 49ers ended the Cowboys' playoff run prematurely.
Jacksonville surprised many in 2022 going 9-8 and winning the AFC South and making the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Then, they rallied from a 28-point deficit against the Los Angeles Chargers before falling in the Divisional Round against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Former Clemson signal-caller and first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft Trevor Lawrence enters this third season and made tremendous strides under new coach Doug Pederson last season. Lawrence threw for 4,113 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his first season under quarterback guru Pederson.
The Jaguars will play all their healthy starters for at least one series. Lawrence played in just seven series during the preseason last year and did not play in the first preseason game. But we will see the 2023 debut of Calvin Ridley, who returns from a season-long suspension.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will most likely sit out this preseason, but there are storylines to follow. With guard Zack Martin holding out for a contract restructure, the Dallas offensive line is a huge question mark. Especially considering the recent injury to guard Chuma Edoga.
Maybe the biggest position battle in camp this year is for backup running back. Tony Pollard takes over as the featured back after the departure of Ezekiel Elliott, and backup candidates Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis, and Deuce Vaughn should all will get snaps against the Jaguars.
The wide starting wide receivers are pretty well set with CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Gallup being featured regularly, but the fourth wideout is up for grabs. There is plenty of opportunity for Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks and KaVontae Turpin to take advantage. Simi Fehoko hasn't seen his physical talents translate onto the practice field yet but still remains a possibility.
The linebacker battle between Damone Clark, DeMarvion Overshown and Jabril Cox is still alive as is the kicking job. All should get looks on Saturday.
WHAT: Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0) at Dallas Cowboys (0-0)
WHERE: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Tx (80,000)
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, 4:00 p.m. CT
TELEVISION: KTVT CBS-11 / FuboTV (try it free)
RADIO: KRLD-FM 105.3 The Fan
Betting via SI SportsBook
SPREAD: Jaguars -3.5 (-120), Cowboys +3.5 (-105)
TOTAL: 37.5 (o -111, u -111)
MONEYLINE: Jaguars -200, Cowboys +150
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