49ers vs Jaguars: Game of the Week
The 49ers are undefeated coming off of a bye week under Kyle Shanahan, but that is in jeopardy as the Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off of bye week themselves. They are the third team out of four that the 49ers will play coming off of their bye weeks. An abnormally high number, since each NFL team only gets one bye week each season. The 49ers already lost to the first two teams they played coming off bye weeks: the Browns & the Bengals.
Like the Browns, the Jaguars have one the best defenses in the NFL. The 49ers defense and Jaguars defense are tied for the most interceptions of 2023 with eleven each. Josh Allen is one of the best edge players in football. He is tied for the fifth most sacks with 9. On the the other side of the Jaguars defensive line is former No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker. He has 3.5 sacks, which is one more than Nick Bosa. Foyesade Oluokun is one of the most underrated inside linebackers in the NFL. Andre Cisco is a very promising young free safety who is questionable, along with cornerback Tyson Campbell. The 49ers will have trouble with this defense, even if Trent Williams is able to play.
Speedy deep threat receiver Zay Jones has been ruled out, but the Jaguars still have Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk. Ridley may be the best free agent receiver signing ever. Kirk is a menace to zone defenses and 49ers nickel cornerback Isaiah Oliver has been terrible in coverage. The one saving grace could be Jamal Agnew. He is kick returner who has filled in for Zay Jones, but he has lost fumbles in key moments. The same can be said about running back Tank Bigsby's lack of ball security. The smart move might be to feed Travis Etienne more and Bigsby less. Etienne has low 4.4 speed and is very skilled as receiver as well as being a solid runner.
After a rough start to his NFL career, Trevor Lawrence has become a legitimate franchise quarterback. The Jaguars stuck by him and got him better weapons. Shanahan could learn a lot from their approach. The one area of weakness for the Jaguars on offense is in the trenches. Their offensive is not very good. This could be the key to slowing them down.
49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks will leave the booth to call the game from the sideline. I think this is a mistake. I said it before the decision was made and I'm sticking with it. Hopefully, he proves me wrong.
Deebo Samuel has been cleared to play, but left tackle Trent Williams and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave are both questionable. With left guard Aaron Banks out with turf toe, the Trent Williams designation looms large. If he plays, then I'm picking the 49er 24 - Jaguars 21. If not, then I'll say Jaguars 28 - 49ers 17.
