What a difference a week makes.
A week ago, we were looking at a measuring-stick type of game between the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans.
With new kicker Brandon McManus’ game-winning field goal, the Packers proved their mettle by winning a hard-fought battle.
The Texans are considered Super Bowl contenders. This week’s opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars, are not.
The Jaguars are 2-5 after beating the New England Patriots in London last week.
If there is such a thing as a trap game, this would certainly fit the description. The Packers are favored on the road. They are coming off an emotional win against a contender and have the Detroit Lions on the schedule for next week.
There are no gimmes in the NFL, but if the Packers stay focused, they absolutely should win.
Here is a look at this week’s Packers-Jaguars matchups.
Pass Offense
Trevor Lawrence was in a race with Jordan Love this offseason for who was going to get his contract extension first.
Lawrence won, with his deal being completed before training camp. Love’s deal was not done until shortly after camp started.
That’s the last race Lawrence has won with Love, as his team has been one of the NFL’s big disappointments.
Lawrence was considered a generational quarterback prospect when Jacksonville picked him first overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. His first season in Jacksonville was a disaster, which was largely pinned on the ill-advised hire of former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer.
Meyer was replaced with Doug Pederson, and Lawrence found himself in the playoffs during his second season.
The prevailing thought was the Jaguars were a team on the rise, and Lawrence was the next great quarterback.
That has not come to fruition.
Since a stunning come-from-behind victory over the Chargers preceded a divisional-round loss to the Chiefs in the 2022 playoffs, the Jaguars are 11-13.
While Love is second in the NFL with 15 touchdowns, Lawrence has taken care of the ball with nine touchdowns to just three interceptions. He is 16th in passer rating (92.3), just behind Love (14th, 94.1).
By percentage, no quarterback has been victimized by more drops than Lawrence.
His leading receiver is rookie sensation Brian Thoams Jr. Thomas has 30 catches, averages 17.1 yards per reception and has scored four touchdowns.