Green Bay Packers (5-2) will face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) this Sunday at 1 p.m. on FOX. The Packers are favored to win by four points according to BetMGM NFL odds. Green Bay has a record of 4-3 against the spread this season, while Jacksonville sits at 3-4. Historically, the Packers hold an advantage in their series, leading with a 5-2 record. The last encounter between the two teams took place on November 15, 2020, when the Packers narrowly defeated the Jaguars 24-20 in Green Bay.
Last week, the Packers secured a close victory, edging out the Texans 24-22. Meanwhile, the Jaguars bounced back with a strong performance, overcoming the Patriots with a score of 32-16. In terms of offensive and defensive rankings, the Packers boast impressive standings: they are sixth overall in offense, fifth in rushing, ninth in passing, and seventh in scoring. Conversely, their defense ranks fifteenth overall, thirteenth against the run, fifteenth against the pass, and tenth in scoring. On the other hand, the Jaguars’ offense ranks seventeenth, characterized by a twelfth-place rushing rank, nineteenth in passing, and tied for twenty-first in scoring. Their defense, however, struggles significantly, ranking twenty-seventh overall, while excelling in rushing defense at sixth place but faltering in passing defense at thirty-first, with a scoring defense that is ranked thirtieth.
A key player to keep an eye on for the Packers is wide receiver Romeo Doubs. He has impressed since returning from a suspension, showcasing his role as a reliable target for quarterback Jordan Love. Doubs recently scored two touchdowns against Arizona and followed up with eight catches for 94 yards against the Texans. For the Jaguars, running back Tank Bigsby is noteworthy as he registered a career-high of 118 rushing yards and two touchdowns in last week’s game against New England, ranking second in the NFL for rushing yards per carry at 6.2. Even if he reverts to a backup position, the Jaguars have indicated he will see significant touches in future games.
A critical matchup to watch is between Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and the stout Packers secondary. Leading all rookies with 513 receiving yards, Thomas has quickly established himself as a dangerous deep threat. He has recorded four receptions of over 30 yards, including impressive gains of 58, 66, and 85 yards. The Packers will counter with a formidable secondary, featuring veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander and a top-tier safety combination of Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams.
Injury news is pivotal for both teams. The Packers’ defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt (ankle) has been sidelined for three games but showed limited practice participation this week. Linebacker Quay Walker is currently navigating through the league’s concussion protocol. From the Jaguars’ perspective, linebacker Foye Oluokun (foot), who has dominated solo tackles in the NFL for the past two years, is anticipated to return from injured reserve. Safety Andrew Wingard (knee) may still need another week to recover, and running back Travis Etienne (hamstring) is expected to make his return after missing the last couple of games. Additionally, left tackle Cam Robinson is in the league’s concussion protocol.
Historically, the previous seven matchups between these teams have each failed to see either score more than 28 points. The Packers are on a three-game winnings streak against Jacksonville, with their last two victories being particularly narrow. Notably, the Jaguars have only managed a single win against Green Bay in Jacksonville, which occurred back in 2008 when they captured a 20-16 win by intercepting Aaron Rodgers in the closing moments of the game.
On a statistical note, Jordan Love has thrown multiple touchdown passes in nine consecutive games, marking a notable achievement in Packers history, trailing only Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre. Despite missing two games earlier this season due to injury, Love has thrown 15 touchdown passes, tying him for the second most in the league alongside Lamar Jackson. He also has eight interceptions, matching Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew as the league leaders. The last outing of the Packers in Jacksonville resulted in a dismal loss to the New Orleans Saints, where they fell 38-3 due to Hurricane Ida relocations. Further noteworthy is Packers kicker Brandon McManus, who switched from the Jaguars last season, stepping up with a game-winning 45-yard kick last week.
The Packers currently lead the NFL with an impressive 17 takeaways. Notably, McKinney has been a standout player in this regard, with at least one interception in each of the first five games this season. He has amassed six total takeaways (which includes a fumble recovery) — the most in the league. In the Packers’ ranks, running back Josh Jacobs has reached 540 rushing yards, positioning himself fourth in the league. For the Jaguars, quarterback Trevor Lawrence has thrown two touchdown passes in three of the last four games. Tank Bigsby joins a rare group of running backs this season, having achieved 100 yards rushing with two touchdowns — a feat shared with Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry. Tight end Evan Engram is consistent with at least four receptions in 11 straight home games, and defensive end Josh Hines-Allen has recorded sacks in three consecutive home matchups. Not to forget, linebacker Devin Lloyd led the Jaguars with 11 tackles, including a sack, in a season-high performance last week; however, he may face competition for a starting spot once Oluokun returns.
For fantasy enthusiasts, it’s worth noting that Packers tight end Tucker Kraft, who is second among tight ends with four touchdowns, is a must-start against a Jaguars defense that has struggled against tight ends over the last few weeks.