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Big Cat Country's staff roundtable returns to preview the Week 5 clash between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Question 1: What remaining questions do you have about the Jaguars after their Week 4 win over the Bengals?
Dillon Appleman: Although the defense eventually made a crucial stop, I need to see better execution in crunch time. In Week 2 against the Broncos and again last week against the Bengals, opposing offenses marched down the field with ease when it mattered most. I'd like to see a more aggressive, blood-in-the-water approach in those situations.
Travis Holmes: Can this Jacksonville team handle heightened expectations? Before Week 2, many praised the Jaguars as a top AFC Super Bowl contender, but they failed to play up to their potential the following week. In a week-to-week league, losses happen, but Jacksonville clearly didn't play its brand of football against Denver. This inconsistency has plagued the team for years. Once again, the national media is lauding the Jaguars, so can they block out the noise and take care of business today?
Gus Logue: Where are the deep passes? Trevor Lawrence has thrown the ball 10+ yards downfield on 43.3% of his attempts—the highest rate in the league, per NFL Pro—but most of that production has come in the intermediate area. He ranks eighth in pass attempts 10-19 yards downfield (37) and just 25th in pass attempts 20+ yards downfield (8). It's encouraging that Jacksonville's offense has been scoring without relying on shot plays, but with a talent like Brian Thomas Jr., it would be nice to see a couple of deep completions against a skilled secondary.
Henry Zimmer: My main question is how well the offensive line can protect Trevor Lawrence and sustain the running game. Overall, the line performed adequately against a solid Bengals front, but the challenges won't get easier. This unit needs to find its footing and settle on its best five linemen. Once that happens, this team could be special.
Question 2: What is the key to a Jaguars victory this week?
Dillon: It's simple: win the turnover battle. The Eagles are dealing with more injuries than almost any team in the league, so it comes down to not giving a desperate team favorable opportunities through turnovers or mistakes. Clean execution and avoiding forced plays should lead to a positive result.
Travis: The matchup of Ezra Cleveland and Robert Hainsey against Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo will determine the outcome, in my view. Vic Fangio's defense has struggled to consistently pressure quarterbacks when not blitzing, ranking 16th in the NFL with a 31% pressure rate when rushing four or fewer. That's despite a scheme built around getting home with four. Jalen Carter has clearly been limited as a pass rusher while playing with a cast on his right wrist due to a hairline fracture, similar to Travon Walker in 2025. However, given Hainsey and Cleveland's slower start to 2026, Carter is likely still dangerous enough with his power rushes to disrupt the pocket for Trevor.
Gus: Winning the explosive-play battle. I don't expect Vic Fangio to let Lawrence pick apart his defense with short, efficient passes and checks to runs against light boxes all game. The Jaguars will need to make a few plays on offense. On defense, they just need to avoid getting beaten deep—because without multiple Pro Bowlers around him, Jalen Hurts isn't that effective on his own.
Henry: This could be another 'don't play with your food' game for Jacksonville. Just go out and win. The key is to beat a banged-up team that is in free fall. On paper, this roster is better than Cleveland's, but the process is the same. You're supposed to win, so do it for 60 minutes.
Question 3: Who will be an X-factor for the Jaguars on Sunday?
Dillon: Bhayshul Tuten. Liam Coen and Trevor Lawrence get most of the attention, but Tuten's impact this season has been undeniable. He's third in the league in success rate and missed tackles forced, which has been huge given the offensive line's middling performance. I expect a heavy workload for the young back on Sunday.
Travis: An often-overlooked area may take center stage this week. With an extensive Eagles injury report ahead of the London matchup, most attention has gone to the starters who may or may not play. However, I believe this creates a huge opportunity for Heath Farwell's special teams unit to be the biggest X-factor. When so many starting-level players have been traded, placed on injured reserve, or injured, it forces many practice squad, rotational depth, or recently signed players into increased special teams roles. A missed block, tackle, assignment, or miscommunication in a key moment could bust the game wide open for Jacksonville.
Gus: Travon Walker. In case you missed it, future Hall of Fame right tackle Lane Johnson announced his retirement after missing last week's game for personal reasons. Our friends at Bleeding Green Nation believe third-round rookie Markel Bell will make his second NFL start over veteran swing tackle (and former Jaguar) Fred Johnson. Walker should be eager to face a young player after his 1-pressure performance against Amarius Mims. Additionally, it's no secret that Jalen Hurts is much more efficient rolling out to his right than his left. Even if Walker doesn't dominate Bell on every snap, he must contain Hurts.
Henry: My X-factor for Sunday morning is Anthony Campanile. He should be able to feast on the remnants of this bad Eagles offense. With potentially no DeVonta Smith or Saquon Barkley, it could be a very long afternoon for new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.
Final score predictions
Dillon: Jaguars 27, Eagles 17
Travis: Jaguars 30, Eagles 13
Gus: Jaguars 27, Eagles 13
Henry: Jaguars 35, Eagles 14
What are your Week 5 predictions, Jaguars fans? Let us know in the comments!
Originally reported by yahoo.