Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets: Top 5 players to watch in Week 4

The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming to town for a Week 4 tilt with the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.

Both the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off huge wins. For the Jets, Week 3 was a statement game on what can happen when this team gets all three phases right. For the Jaguars, it was a complete annihilation of the Baltimore Ravens 44-6 in London.

The Jets defense finally showed up. They showed us what they are capable of against the Miami Dolphins when they play up to their full potential.

They made a loud statement against the Dolphins. It was, “Don’t take us lightly!”

The Jaguars 44-6 thrashing of Baltimore is what happens when an offense clicks on all cylinders. Tight end Marcedes Lewis had three touchdowns, and the Jets can’t take the Jaguars lightly, even though, on paper, this team may appear to be weak at quarterback.

This will be a defensive battle. It could be a final score in the teens if both defenses play up to their potential.

After last week, the fans should show up in droves to support Gang Green. Having the crowd behind them could help this young team get amped up, especially after the huge division win.

The Jets showed they have just enough firepower to win when the defense holds up their end of the bargain. This team is built to win with defense and controlling the ball, and striking deep at the most opportune of moments.

Josh McCown looked like he’s starting to gain confidence in his young receiving group. Likewise, the addition of Austin Seferian-Jenkins, coming off his suspension, added much-needed help to the receivers.

Who’s going to have to step up in this game? Let’s find out.

Next: 5. Second year Aussie trying to make a splash

5. Punter Lachlan Edwards

As referenced earlier, given the two defenses, it’s probably going to be a low scoring defensive struggle between the Jets and Jaguars. That means both punters are going to play an integral role in the outcome of this game.

This is the type of game where Edwards can prove how long he’s come from his rookie season. So far this season, he’s in the top 10 in total punt average, net punt average, punts inside the 20, and punts inside the 20 percentage.

In a game in which the defenses will shine, it’s incumbent upon Edwards to help out his defense by pinning Jacksonville as deep as he can. Against Miami, he coffin cornered one punt and forced two fair catches.

Three out of his five punts were unreturned. That’s going to a be a huge factor in Sunday’s game against the Jaguars.

Next: 4. Dynamic wide receiver with a week to build off of

4. Wide Receiver Robby Anderson

Anderson walked into MetLife Stadium Sunday having only six catches for 50 yards. After the game against the Dolphins, once McCown showed a little faith in him, he nearly tripled his yardage and added his first touchdown of the season.

Even though his catch percentage is still at 50 percent on the season, he has no drops. So, McCown should look for the young speedster more often, because he can break one at any time.

Anderson is going to have to use his speed as a weapon in this game for the Jets to find success. In a defensive battle, every yard counts.

So, he’s going to have to take advantage of one-on-one opportunities when they arise. Anderson will be a big factor in whether the Jets can get to .500 or not.

Next: 3. Returning linebacker with big shoes to fill

3. Linebacker Demario Davis

Davis has huge shoes to fill in East Rutherford, NJ. After getting traded back to the Jets, he has to be the heir to David Harris.

After abysmal games in Weeks 1 and 2, Davis finally broke out in Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins. He had 12 of the team’s 47 total tackles (11 solo) and three of the team’s nine tackles for loss.

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He was the main contributor in holding Jay Ajayi to just 16 yards on 11 carries. The Jets defense harassed Ajayi all day.

Davis also aided the pass coverage with a pass deflection. He was all over the field ball-hawking and making sure to shut down plays before they could break out.

Next: 2. Veteran running back primed for a breakout

2. Running Back Bilal Powell

Powell was the most often used back in the three back rotation on Sunday in the game against the Dolphins. Even though his average was low, 2.5 yards per carry, he scored the game’s only rushing touchdown for either team.

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Powell played in 44 percent of the team’s offensive snaps on Sunday. The Jets will have to give him the rock to win the time of possession battle and keep the Jaguars offense off the field.

Powell was a key reason the Jets held the ball for a total of 36:08 on Sunday. The Jets must win the time of possession battle to have a shot at winning this game, and that’s predicated on Powell’s success.

Whether it’s being used as a weapon in the passing game or as a runner, the Jets will need to incorporate Powell as much as possible. He doesn’t need to gain 100 yards, just be effective enough as part of the three-headed running back team.

Next: 1. Rookie sensation

1. Safety Jamal Adams

Adams has been quiet the first two weeks. He’s been good, but he hasn’t had that breakout performance that showed why the Jets took him number four overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Then, Sunday happened. Seemingly wherever the ball was, Adams would be there.

In the game against the Dolphins, he had two tackles for loss, a pass deflection, a sack, and a quarterback hit. If the ball was in an opponent’s hand, Adams was there.

Must Read: Jamal Adams is everything the Jets need and more

Adams even did well in man-to-man coverage when the Jets decided to put him on an island. He finally showed why the Jets took him with their first draft pick, and the sky’s the limit for him.