In the NFL, there are must-win games and there are it-would-be-nice-to-win games. Take the Jaguars’ most recent game against the Titans, for example. Clearly, with the division title and a playoff berth at stake, it was a must-win game.
On the opposite spectrum, look at the game against the Giants the week prior. It, unlike the game against the Titans, was not a must-win game. It was an it-would-be-nice-to-win game. Why? Because the Giants are an NFC team. Other than an improvement in the team’s overall record, a win against the Giants would’ve done little to help the Jaguars secure the division title.
But for the second week in a row, the Jaguars are facing a must-win game. We can come to this conclusion for two reasons: The Raiders are an AFC team and the Colts beat the Titans on Thursday Night Football, putting them just one game behind the Jaguars.
There was never any doubt the game against the Titans was a must-win game, but the same cannot be said about the game against the Raiders. Clearly, Sunday’s matchup with visiting Oakland has not only the makings of a must-win game, but it has the makings of a trap game. That’s the worst kind of must-win game (I swear that’s the last time I’ll use that phrase).[smartads]
Sunday’s game against the Raiders could be a trap game because Oakland is easy to overlook. They are, after all, the Oakland Raiders, a team enchanted with mediocrity, silliness, and terrible personnel decisions.
However, said Raiders are 6-6, just one win away from having the same record as the Jags. Just ask the Chargers or the Chiefs. Oakland swept San Diego this season and beat the Chiefs on a last second field goal.
The Jaguars, of course, lost to both of those teams. Badly.
Another reason it’s easy to overlook Oakland is because of the game that follows: Jacksonville at Indianapolis, the game that most agree will likely determine the AFC South champion.
That is, of course, provided the Jaguars are able to trounce Oakland. To do that they’ll have to forget about the showdown in Indianapolis for 60 minutes of game clock.
Much of this lies in coaching: Can Jack Del Rio and his staff get his team prepared to play the Raiders with such a seemingly important game following it? Are the player head’s thinking of Peyton and Co., or are they thinking of Jason Campbell and Darren McFadden?
These types of hurdles seem to be the most difficult for young teams, and young the Jaguars certainly are.
Several Jaguars will be making a return to EverBank field Sunday. They include former star DT John Henderson, former bust DE (now playing LB) Quentin Groves, and former “I hate this hick town” LT Khalif Barnes.
They appear to be pumped up. “They better bring it. That’s all I gotta say,” said John Henderson, who is the Raiders third DT. He also added that he wasn’t pleased with his released, and that the game has been circled on his calendar for months.
Quentin Groves, who was given numerous opportunities to produce in his two-year Jaguar career, added in response to Del Rio’s assertion that he wasn’t productive in Jacksonville (2.5 sacks in two years), “He hasn’t seen me productive, but yet still, I can’t say it. I ain’t gonna’ say it, but it’s his opinion. He’s entitled to that. He’s a grown man, but we’ll see on Sunday.’’
Okay, can anybody make any sense out of what Groves said? I sure can’t. But he didn’t make much sense while he was here, so I suppose it’s fitting.
On the other end, former Raider Kirk Morrison has taken the high road, neglecting to talk smack about his former team. My guess is that Morrison will talk his smack physically, rather than verbally, while on the field. My guess is that neither Henderson, Groves nor Barnes, will have much of an impact on this game at all.
Look for the Jaguars to stick with their run-first strategy of the past couple of weeks; the Raiders’ rush defense is 23rd in the league; its pass defense is ninth.
Just wondering what makes Jacksonville so much better than the Raiders to where you can classify this as a “Trap Game”. This article was written as if the Jags are a perennial NFL power house and the Raiders have never been a good football team.
You must be living in a dream, I feel on the floor when reading your article. Talking up the Jags Org as if they are some kind of World Beaters. The Raiders Org has played in an NFL Record (14) AFC Championship Games, (5) Super Bowls winning (3). If you add in the other (5) Super Bowls that the Raiders were an Liddell Fumble or Immaculate Reception away from playing in that is almost 25% of EVERY SUPER BOWL PLAYED TO DATE THAT THE RAIDERS HAVE BEEN IN OR WERE A PLAY AWAY FROM BEING IN.
Trying to bring up the Jag’s in the same sentence as the Oakland Raiders is like talking about some cheap $2,000.00 claiming Horse running on some cheap Bush Track in Florida while holding a conversation on the Great Secretariat or Man O War. How many Hall O Fame players do the Jags have in the HOF or how many America’s Games that they play on NFL Network show casing the great Teams in NFL History are the Jags in lol, 0.
Just because people like you tell others that Paris Hilton is a Star does not make it so no matter how many times you say it. You have a wake up call coming this Sunday, trap game? lol The Autumn Wind Is A Raider, Pillaging Just For Fun. They Will Knock You Round, Upside Down and Laugh When They Conquered and Won. I would have left a quote from an NFL Jags tune but I could not find any. lol a bunch.
The Raiders match up well against the Jaguars. Garrard doesn’t move much and Oakland leads the NFL in sacks, with a bunch of different players having five or so. Its not like they can focus on one or two guys and eliminate their pass rush. Jacksonville has a blocking TE. Expect Sims-Walker to draw Asomugha all day and essentially disappear. The other Raider corners generally play well against small receivers like Thomas. That leaves the entire offense in the hands of MJD. He might do some damage on screens, etc, but the Raiders will probably run blitz a lot. This tactic shut down both the Chiefs and Chargers, and will probably work well against the Jags. If the Raiders get up early it will be over. Best bet for the Jags is if the Raider offense comes in an plays like they aren’t focused, like they did against the 49ers and Dolphins. That could keep them in the game long enough to wear down their defense. I think the Jags drop this one 24-13.
“Must win” will be the Colts game next week – some people throw that term around way too easily.
The answer to these questions is quite clear. You’ll notice this website is called “Jags Report.” That, without a doubt, should be your first clue that anything written here is from an unabashed homer point of view. Good luck.
This writer is the biggest idiot I have seen write an article in a long time..
The Giants game wasnt a must win? Okay.. Now since they lost, if the Colts win out, they take the division and J ville if they win out will moost likely be home crying and wishing they won just one more game.
As far as him saying this Raider game is a trap game, it seems to me for it to be a trap game, the Jags would actually have to be favored to win… What a Maroon…
Dont worry Jag fans.. this game will be meaningless for you guys… We will beat you and the Colts both so the only important game for the Jags will be next week against the Colts.
I’ve been called a “Maroon” by a Raiders’ fan. I’m truly honored. It’s my favorite color.