Who is the Guy?
Trevor Lawrence possesses the prototypical traits coaches covet in a franchise quarterback. Although his production and on-field performance have not matched the hype that preceded his arrival as the No. 1 overall pick, the Jaguars' new coaching staff has carefully constructed an offensive plan that accentuates his strengths as a mobile playmaker with enough arm talent to punish aggressive defenses' blitz-heavy tactics. If the fifth-year pro finds success early, the streaky gunslinger can transform into a superhero directing an offense that wants to attack down the field.
Know His Name
Josh Hines-Allen is a disruptive edge rusher with the speed, strength and power to overwhelm blockers on obvious passing downs. Despite his pedestrian stat line (0.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits through seven games), the two-time Pro Bowler has shown disruptive skills off the edge when flipped into pass rush mode. With 53.5 career sacks, 10 forced fumbles, and 133 quarterback hits, the Raiders do not want Hines-Allen to flip the switch as a destructive playmaker.
Don't Sleep On…
The Jaguars defense has performed well when Arik Armstead has impacted the game as an interior pass rusher. The veteran poses a challenge to blockers with his combination of length and strength as an extra-large defender at the point of attack. If the 11th-year pro creates a little chaos on the inside, the Jaguars' talented edge rushers (Hines-Allen and Travon Walker) could wreck the game against one-on-one blocks on the outside.
Under Pressure
Brian Thomas Jr. was expected to emerge as a top-five receiver in 2025 after a spectacular rookie campaign. However, the second-year pro has struggled with drops, prompting the Jaguars to overhaul their offensive plan to avoid negative plays. With Travis Hunter heading to injured reserve with a short-term injury, the Jaguars will need their WR1 to rediscover his magical ways as a playmaker to spark an offense looking for more explosive plays in the passing game.
Matchup to Watch
Antonio Johnson and Andrew Wingard vs. Brock Bowers
Despite the Jaguars' zone-heavy defensive plans, the starting safety duo could struggle containing Bowers between the hashes. With the Pro Bowl tight end creating mismatches with his speed and quickness, how the Jaguars choose to defend him could determine whether Geno Smith gets back on track as a passer with his No. 1 option back in the lineup.
Offensive Scheme
The Jaguars want to run the football to the edges with Travis Etienne before taking a handful of downfield shots to Parker Washington, Dyami Brown and Thomas. If the running game gets going early, the Jaguars could unleash a lethal play-action passing game that creates problems for the Silver and Black.
Defensive Scheme
The Jaguars defense has transformed into a turnover machine under defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile. The vision-and-break scheme employed with the first-year playcaller has enabled the Jaguars to snag interceptions off tipped and overthrown passes routinely. With the Jaguars utilizing a creative pressure package in front of the various zone coverage, the Raiders must handle the blitz, while Smith makes prudent decisions with the ball
As the Silver and Black prepare for the Week 9 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, take a look back at their past matchups through the years.
The Oakland Raiders line up before the snap during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Napoleon Kaufman (26) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Rob Fredrickson (53) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
The Oakland Raiders line up before the snap during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders tackle Lincoln Kennedy (72) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Jeff Hostetler (15) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Daryl Hobbs (80) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 21, 1997, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Russell Maryland (67) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 21, 1997, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Doug Gabriel (85) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, January 2, 2005, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp (99) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, January 2, 2005, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders full back Zack Crockett (32) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, January 2, 2005, in Oakland, Calif.
The Oakland Raiders offense lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Sunday, December 23, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Jay Richardson (98) during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Sunday, December 23, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Terdell Sands (90) during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Sunday, December 23, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders running back Dominic Rhodes (33) during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Sunday, December 23, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders tight end Zach Miller (80) makes a 2-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Sunday, December 23, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders guard Cooper Carlisle (66) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, October 21, 2012, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders guard Cooper Carlisle (66) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, October 21, 2012, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Mike Jenkins (21) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Rod Streater (80) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders center/guard Stefen Wisniewski (61) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (2) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) during the regular reason away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, October 23, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders punter Marquette King (7) during the regular reason away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, October 23, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) makes a 2-yard touchdown catch during the regular reason away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, October 23, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) rushes for a 9-yard touchdown during the regular reason away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, October 23, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Will Compton (51) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) rushes for an 8-yard touchdown during the Hall of Fame Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Thursday, August 4, 2022, in Canton, Ohio.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) rushes during the Hall of Fame Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Thursday, August 4, 2022, in Canton, Ohio.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Hroniss Grasu (65) lines up before the snap during the Hall of Fame Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Thursday, August 4, 2022, in Canton, Ohio.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Zach VanValkenburg (54) makes a tackle during the Hall of Fame Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Thursday, August 4, 2022, in Canton, Ohio.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) knocks downs the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) lines up to kick a 38-yard field goal during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (26) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) blocks during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) blocks during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Jonah Laulu (96) pressures the quarterback during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) runs after making a catch during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Allegiant Stadium, Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nev.
