Jets vs. Jaguars: Preview, prediction, what to watch for in Week 15

An inside look at Sunday’s Jets-Jaguars NFL Week 15 matchup at EverBank Stadium:

Marquee matchup

Jaguars RB Travis Etienne vs. Jets front seven 

The Jets have been killed by opposing running games in the past few weeks. Two weeks ago, the Falcons ran for 167 yards, including 142 by Bijan Robinson. Last week, the Dolphins ran for 239 yards even with star rusher De’Von Achane leaving with an injury in the second quarter. 

The Jaguars enter Sunday’s game with a rushing attack that has been leading the way during their winning streak. They have gone over 100 yards rushing in four of their past six games. Etienne is their top rusher, and has 917 yards and seven rushing touchdowns this season. 

Travis Etienne Jr. runs with the ball during the Jaguars’ Dec. 7 game. Romeo Guzman/CSM/Shutterstock

The Jets defense has talked all week about staying in their gaps and tackling better than last week against the Dolphins. 

“If you have 50 plays and you mess up five of them, you’re grading out at 90 percent, and that’s a pretty damn good game,” defensive tackle Harrison Phillips said. “But if those five times are all 10-yard runs in your gap, it makes it very difficult. I think the opponent did a really good job of exploiting those small things. … But that many rushing yards is completely unacceptable.” 

Four Downs

Let Brady Cook

When they face the Jaguars on Sunday, the Jets will start their third quarterback this season. Undrafted rookie Brady Cook will make his first start with Justin Fields (knee) and Tyrod Taylor (groin) out with injuries. Cook played most of last week’s loss to the Dolphins after Taylor was hurt. He did some good things but also turned the ball over. He had two interceptions and fumbled twice, though both were recovered by the Jets. The Jaguars have 23 takeaways, tied for second in the NFL, so they will be opportunistic if Cook gives them chances. 

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Brady Cook is pictured during the Jets’ Dec. 7 loss to the Dolphins. Charles Wenzelberg

“I have all the confidence in the world,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said of Cook, “and that’s something I’ve stated from the very beginning. He’ll be a good player in this league, and he’ll have his opportunity again this week.” 

Big dogs

The Jets are a whopping 13.5-point underdog in this game. It is the second time in recent weeks they have been a major underdog. The Ravens were 14-point favorites last month, and the Jets covered that game, losing 23-10. 

This is the first time the Jaguars have been favored by this much since 2007. Jacksonville is trying not to get overconfident. 

“We just have no room for it at all,” Jaguars coach Liam Coen said. “Mature football teams don’t let any of that creep into our minds and into our thought process. So that’s the message right now.” 

Trevor trending

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence has not had the best season, but he has played better in recent weeks. He has thrown for at least 225 yards and two or more touchdowns in three straight games. It seems like he is finally clicking with new coach Coen. 

“You see him managing the offense a lot better,” Glenn said. “I know the word out there was man, he struggled completing the deep ball, I thought he did a hell of a job last week completing it. So, I just think offensively they have a philosophy that’s working well with the quarterback of them running the ball, of him having an efficient passing game, and then taking the shots when they’re there.” 

Battling Breece

With an undrafted rookie quarterback making his first start, it would make sense for the Jets offense to feature running back Breece Hall. Hall is closing in on 1,000 yards for the first time in his career (877 rushing yards) and has been the team’s lone explosive player on offense this season. 

The problems in this game, though, are the Jaguars have the No. 1 rushing defense, and Hall is dealing with a knee injury. He missed practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday. It may be tough to get Hall going in this one, which could hinder the offense. 

Costello’s call

It’s hard to see a path for the Jets to win this game. Brady Cook is making his first NFL start at quarterback. Breece Hall is banged up. The defense has regressed in recent weeks. The Jaguars are playing for something. I think the Jaguars sleepwalk early but then pull away in the second half. The highlight for the Jets will be Qwan’tez Stiggers getting the team’s first interception of the season. 

Jaguars 24, Jets 14