How Jaguars Will Present Lions Much Different Challenge
On Wednesday, the Lions are set to begin another series of joint practices. This time, it'll be with Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Similar to last week's joint practice opponent, the N.Y. Giants, the Jaguars are a team on the rise which made the playoffs and won a postseason contest a year ago.
Going into Day 1 of joint practices with Jacksonville, Lions head coach Dan Campbell doesn't expect to significantly alter the plan that he had for his starters a week ago against the Giants.
"It’ll be very similar," Campbell told reporters earlier this week. "I think you’re going to see more reps, there’s going to be more reps with one's (the first-stringers), just overall. But, one's vs. one's, there’s – we’ll have more than we had against the Giants last week, on both days.”
In Jacksonville's playoff victory last season, Lawrence & Co. pulled off a comeback for the ages against Justin Herbert and the L.A. Chargers. After trailing, 27-7, at halftime, the Doug Pederson-led squad outscored the Chargers, 24-3, in the second half to secure the come-from-behind win.
The Jaguars not only feature Lawrence, who threw for a career-best 4,113 yards and earned his first career trip to the Pro Bowl in 2022. But, they also feature a plethora of offensive weapons, including running back Travis Etienne Jr. and pass-catchers Christian Kirk, Calvin Ridley and Evan Engram.
Meanwhile, on the defensive side of the ball, Jacksonville possesses a pair of solid pass-rushing EDGEs in Josh Allen (seven sacks in '22) and Travon Walker (3.5 sacks), plus a tackling machine at linebacker in Foyesade Oluokun (a league-high 184 total tackles in '22).
Additionally, the Florida-based AFC South franchise possesses a nice collection of defensive backs, including safeties Andre Cisco and Rayshawn Jenkins (three interceptions each in '22) and cornerbacks Tyson Campbell and Darious Williams (both recorded at least 15 passes defensed last season).
All in all, Jacksonville should pose a formidable test for Detroit, on both sides of the ball.
"It's very beneficial. There again, it’s fresh talent, it’s something different," Campbell expressed, in reference to observing two different teams in joint practices. "I know defensively, I mentioned this last week, these guys, as a whole, have more length, particularly in the front. They can run pretty good in the backend, and the skillset on offense of these receivers is pretty good. The receivers, the tight ends, they create some issues. It’s explosive, this halfback (Etienne) they’ve got, and then obviously, the quarterback (Lawrence) to be able to get it to him, his ability to run and throw.
"And so, just that alone, the front, as well (as) the O-line. But, I think, just the overall skill position really will be a test, on both sides of the ball, for us.”
The Lions and Jaguars will conclude the week of practices with an exhibition tilt against one another Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Ford Field.
