Two of the more surprising teams of the 2017 campaign meet up at University of Phoenix Stadium Sunday afternoon when the AFC South leading Jacksonville Jaguars (7-3) take on the NFC West not leading Arizona Cardinals (4-6).
The game is coming to you thanks to the CBS television network at 4:25 p.m. EST.
The Game: Jacksonville Jaguars at Arizona Cardinals (+5.5)
O/U: 38.0
The History
The Cardinals and Jaguars have played just four times since 2000. The series is tied 2-2.
The two teams last met up on November 17, 2013 with Arizona winning 27-14 at EverBank Field. Carson Palmer out-dueled Chad Henne with a 30 of 42 passing day for 419 yards and two touchdowns. Henne was 27 of 42 for 255 yards, one touchdown and a pick. Michael Floyd, now with the Minnesota Vikings, had a monster day for the Cardinals. He caught six passes for 193 yards and a touchdown.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (7-3)
First, let’s get to the major news of the day. Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey told ESPN that he probably won’t play Sunday due to his hand injury. That’s significant news, not only because Ramsey is talented, but he was probably going to be the guy shadowing Larry Fitzgerald all day. So that’s going to be a problem.
On offense, the Jaguars are down their top two receivers too. Allen Robinson has been out since the season started with a torn up knee. Allen Hurns is still out with an ankle. That leaves Marqise Lee and Dede Westrbook as Blake Bortles’ primary wideouts. Last week in a 19-7 win over the Cleveland Browns, Lee caught five passes for 45 yards. Westbrook had three catches for 35 yards.
The primary offensive weapon was Leonard Fournette who finished with 28 carries for 111 yards. I don’t expect Sunday to be any different. Fournette will get the lion’s share of the carries and keep the pressure off Bortles.
Last week, the Jaguars defense was stellar. They sacked DeShone Kizer five times and got six stops in the backfield. Blaine Gabbert is a little more fleet of foot than Kizer, but he’s just as sweet a target to maul in the backfield.
Bortles once again did what he needed to for the victory. He was 17 of 30 for 154 yards and a touchdown with no picks. That no interceptions stat line is so important. With this defense, Jacksonville can go pretty far if Bortles just doesn’t screw it up.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (4-6)
Yep, that’s right. The Gabman is back under center for the Cardinals. Drew Stanton has practiced all week and will suit up, but this is still the Blaine Gabbert show for at least one more Sunday.
Last week in a 31-21 loss to the Houston Texans, Gabbert was 22 of 34 for 257 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He got no help at all from the running game as Adrian Peterson was taking one of his weeks off (as he does). Peterson had 14 carries for 26 yards. As a whole, Arizona rushed for just 48 total yards.
Gabbert did find Fitzgerald early and often, which needs to have the Jaguars legitimately worried. Fitzgerald is the only player on this Cardinals squad that should scare anybody. Against the Texans he had nine catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. Rookie wideout Ricky Seals-Jones had a pretty big game himself, catching three passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns.
Gabbert will be without John Brown. He’s out with a toe injury. Defensive lineman Corey Peters is down with an ankle and won’t play. Safety Rudy Ford, wide receiver Brittan Golden and running back Elijhaa Penny are all listed as questionable, but none of them practiced Friday.
The Pick
In spite of last week’s result, I don’t think Gabbert is a complete disaster running Arizona’s offense. The thing is, it’s just not going to matter in this one. Jacksonville has before it a chance to not post a losing season for the first time in a decade. I think they make it happen. Jaguars 24, Cardinals 16
This week
Straight up: 1-2
Against the spread: 1-2
Last week
Straight up: 5-8
Against the spread: 4-9
Season
Straight up: 92-67
Against the spread: 79-79
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