Eagles vs. Jaguars predictions for Week 9 of the NFL season

The Eagles vs. Jaguars predictions for Week 9 of the NFL season originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Eagles (5-2) host the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) on Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field.

Let’s get to the predictions:

Ruben Frank (2-5)

A few weeks ago I said that I really believed that this four-game stretch against the Browns, Giants, Bengals and Jaguars would go a long way toward not just deciding what kind of season 2024 would have Eagles would have, but broadly about what kind of season Nick Sirianni’s future would be. Four teams with losing records, four games that looked like wins on paper, four opponents with an overall record of 8-19 when the Eagles played them, four chances to find out if Sirianni still had what it took to put this team in the right place direction to direct direction. Here we are, and not only have the Eagles taken care of business in the first three of these games, they have also looked very good in the last two games with impressive road wins. There is much to encourage. The young defense. The running game. Jalen hurts. If the Eagles lose to the Jaguars, they will still be 3-1 in this period and 5-3 at the old half. But I like what I see and I have a feeling the Eagles won’t lose if they play like they have the last three weeks. The Jags do some things well – they have a good running game and Trevor Lawrence can be dangerous – and you know Doug Pederson will have them ready on Sunday and I don’t think this will be a walk in the park. But I like where the Eagles are at and I see another win here.

Eagles 30, Jaguars 21

Dave Zangaro (3-4)

The Eagles earned their most impressive win of the season last week in Cincinnati against a team that should have given them a tougher fight. This isn’t to take anything away from the Jaguars, who have been better in recent weeks, but this is another game the Eagles should win easily. The Jaguars definitely have some good players on defense. They have two really good edge rushers and a great trio of linebackers. But their pass defense is 31st in the NFL and the Eagles should be able to score.

And on defense, the Eagles have really hit their stride and will face a Jaguars offense that is without Christian Kirk and has two more struggling starting wideouts and a running game that hasn’t quite gotten going yet. Trevor Lawrence is still a good player and he could make some plays, but he won’t be able to make enough.

Eagles 27, Jaguars 13

Barrett Brooks (4-3)

This is a benchmark for the Eagles. Most thought last week because of the matchup against Joe Burrow. But I think this week we’ll really see if the Birds have turned the corner and found a true identity. Physical play should be the key. This means not playing down to the opponent’s level. In this game, the Eagles have to prove that the Jaguars don’t even belong on the same field. Punish this team. I don’t want OC Kellen Moore throwing the ball just because Jacksonville has a bottom-five defense against the pass. Run the ball just because you should and punish the defensive front first before throwing the ball. Solidify that identity first!

Defensively, Vic Fangio should unleash the Hounds. Ditch the D-line and get Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars are really struggling on offense. I’ll make Josh Sweat my bold prediction and say Sweat will have 2.0 sacks against new starter LT Walker Little.

Eagles 31, Jaguars 17

Mike Mulhern (5-2)

Nick Sirianni said on the latest episode of “Unscripted” that his team needs to treat praise like perfume. Smell it, but don’t drink it. Well, his team is starting to smell like a real Super Bowl contender after rattling off two straight wins by 20 or more points. The offense hummed in Cincinnati with 37 points and the defense formed around a group of young, talented playmakers. This week they face a Jaguars team that is struggling, already selling players and seemingly on the verge of a coaching change. Doug Pederson’s club was 8-3 at one point last season in first place in the AFC. A 5-1 loss coupled with a 2-6 start to the year has put him firmly in the hot seat. This feels like the week the Eagles finally start fast and hold off the Jags early. Try again.

Eagles 30, Jaguars 13

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