The banged-up Jaguars (2-6) are in Philadelphia to face the soaring Eagles (5-2) for Week 9, a game that was previously scheduled for Sunday Night Football before the NFL flexed it out of primetime last Monday.
Jacksonville promoted two wide receivers from its practice squad for the matchup, as the Jaguars lost starting slot receiver Christian Kirk for the season and saw fellow starting pass-catchers, Brian Thomas Jr. and Gabe Davis, also suffer injuries in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers. Starting left guard Ezra Cleveland got hurt, too, and likely will not play on Sunday.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, enters Week 9 relatively healthy with only two starters unable to play, cornerback Darius Slay and tight end Dallas Goedert. The Eagles are clicking right now, winners of three consecutive games after beginning the campaign 2-2.
Find Jaguars Wire's staff picks and predictions for Jacksonville vs. Philadelphia in Week 9 below.
Zach Goodall (5-3): Eagles 27, Jaguars 17
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts to scoring a touchdown with Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) in the fourth quarter of the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.
After an up-and-down start to the season, the Eagles are riding high back home and into Week 9, on a three-game winning streak including back-to-back, 20+ point road victories.
As for the Jaguars, every time they have seemed to figure things out this season, they take a step back. After handily beating the New England Patriots in London in Week 7, Trevor Lawrence and Jacksonville's injury-plagued offense did everything it could to upset the Green Bay Packers at home last Sunday, only for the Jaguars' defense to crumble in crunch time.
These are teams on opposite trajectories and the squad moving in the right direction is at home this week. I'm taking the Eagles, envisioning a huge day from Jalen Hurts through the air on the ground.
Donavon Keiser (6-2): Eagles 31, Jaguars 21
Oct 27, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball as during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Looking to move its three-game win streak to four, Philadelphia is riding high as Week 9 arrives, facing a Jacksonville team fresh off a last-second loss to Green Bay.
Not only did the Jaguars fall to the Packers, but they also suffered a beating, with many of their offensive playmakers injured after the Week 8 contest.
The Eagles should take care of business, picking apart the Jaguars' defense with a balanced attack behind quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley. I don't see how the Jaguars' defense keeps up with the dynamic duo, especially if the offense has multiple playmakers out.
Jared Feinberg (4-3): Eagles 31, Jaguars 17
Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni hugs wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) after his touchdown catch against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
It's great to see Jacksonville's offense is starting to find its rhythm and identity. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has played his best football in the last four weeks while Tank Bigsby has become the workhorse running back. Unfortunately, a season-ending injury to slot receiver Christian Kirk and a chest injury to rookie sensation Brian Thomas Jr. leaves a bit of uncertainty for this side of the ball against a surging Philadelphia Eagles defense.
Speaking of defense, the Jaguars have one of the worst in football, especially against an Eagles offense that is second in rushing yards per game and second in rushing EPA with Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts.
Philadelphia is playing some of its best football in all phases and Lincoln Financial Field is an incredibly tough environment to play in. This seems like a tall task for Jacksonville and I have little trust in this coaching staff overall to formulate a successful gameplan. The Eagles win this game comfortably.
Betting odds
Nov 15, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; A general view of an end zone pylon and footballs on the field prior to the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Los Angeles Chargers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Spread: Eagles -7.5 | Jaguars +7.5
Over/under: 46 points
Jaguars moneyline: +280
Eagles moneyline: -350
Odds, via BetMGM, as of 11 a.m. Sunday.
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