The Jacksonville Jaguars are finally, mercifully done playing AFC North teams. After playing the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Ravens three weeks in a row, the Jaguars fell from 8-3 to 8-6.
This makes Jacksonville’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers much more important. The Jaguars have a narrow lead — only due to tiebreakers — over the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans, who also sit at 8-6.
Tampa Bay is also playing for its division, though. The Buccaneers are 7-7, as are the New Orleans Saints, so they will need to keep to their winning ways if they want to earn a playoff spot.
While the Buccaneers have talent on both sides of the football, Jacksonville has the talent to get the job done if it can put things back together.
Here are five Jaguars players to watch when they travel to Tampa Bay to play the Bucs in Week 16:
QB Trevor Lawrence
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been a mixed bag all season, but his ankle injury and concussion status have made things even more complicated.
He completed 53 of his 93 attempts for 521 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions over the past two weeks. While he hasn’t been the only issue, more consistency from Lawrence could help Jacksonville end its three-game skid.
His ankle injury didn’t prevent the Jaguars from putting him in the lineup, but Lawrence’s time in the concussion protocol could make success even more difficult to achieve. The Buccaneers’ defense should be easier to handle than at least the Ravens’ and Browns’ units, though. An unhealthy Lawrence still needs to be monitored.
WR Calvin Ridley
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley struggled earlier in the season in games when Zay Jones was inactive. It turns out the same problem persists when Christian Kirk is unavailable.
In the two games since Kirk’s injury against the Bengals, Ridley has been targeted 25 times. Those targets were turned into nine catches for 92 yards. Lawrence has been searching for Ridley, but the two still haven’t achieved the chemistry fans hoped for.
Another quiet game from Ridley — who will likely be without Jones on the other side, as well — could set the Jaguars back offensively for the third week in a row, fourth if you count Jacksonville’s game against Cincinnati.
The interior offensive line
Center Luke Fortner and offensive guards Brandon Scherff and Ezra Cleveland will be essential to the Jaguars’ success Sunday, and it’s impossible to narrow the group’s importance down to one person.
The whole Jaguars offensive line struggled last week, but the interior will be especially important against Tampa Bay. With proven star defensive lineman Vita Vea and first-round rookie Calijah Kancey, the Buccaneers have a strong interior group that can make running the ball up the middle challenging.
If Jacksonville’s interior doesn’t show up, the Jaguars might have a tough day in between the hashes.
OLB Travon Walker
While certainly not a game-wrecker yet, edge rusher Travon Walker has put together a few productive weeks. Last week, he registered one sack and four total tackles.
This week, he may have opportunities to show more development. On the left side is Luke Goedeke, who’s been a solid tackle. On the right is the highly regarded Tristan Wirfs.
Goedeke provides Walker the opportunity to bolster his stats, while wins against Wirfs would show an ability to generate pressure against top-tier talent. And the more he forces Baker Mayfield into uncomfortable spots, the harder it will be for Tampa Bay to move the ball.
S Rayshawn Jenkins
While safety Rayshawn Jenkins may not draw many solo reps across from Tampa Bay’s star weapons, he could be essential to stopping the group.
With cornerback Tyson Campbell and fellow safety Andre Cisco out due to injury, Jenkins stepped up in their absence last week. He has six total tackles, a sack, and an interception against the Ravens.
With Campbell and Cisco still nursing injuries, Jenkins may need to step up once again. If he can keep receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in front of him, a lack of big plays could lift the Jaguars to a win.
