| The Jaguars will need more from rookie WR Justin Blackmon with WR Laurent Robinson likely out against the Bears. (US Presswire) |
Bears at Jaguars -- Week 5
Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fla. (grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (Fox)
Spread: Bears by 5
Forecast: Mid-80s; 25 percent chance of rain.
Records: Jaguars (Overall: 1-3, AFC South: 1-1); Bears (Overall: 3-1, NFC North: 1-1)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Dec. 7, 2008: Bears 23, Jaguars 10; Dec. 12, 2004: Jaguars 22, Bears 3. Series record: Bears lead 3-2.
What matters: The Jaguars are coming off a disappointing, 27-10 loss to the Bengals last week. The running game, which had been a strength in a win over the Colts the previous week, never got going, and then had to be abandoned once the Jags started falling behind. QB Blaine Gabbert was accurate -- completing more than 70 percent of his passes -- but he threw his first interception of the season and wasn’t much of a threat throwing down the field. The Jags need more out of their entire offense. Gabbert has made some timely throws this season, but he’s not going to beat the Bears on his own. The run game must be a consistent threat to help him out.
Who matters: RB Maurice Jones-Drew has to get going again this week. He had 177 yards against the Colts two weeks ago, but he was stuffed by the Bengals for only 39 last week. It won’t be easy. The Bears have the league’s third-best run defense, allowing opponents to rush for an average of just 67.2 yards per game. Because of that, Gabbert will need more help from his WRs, too. Rookie WR Justin Blackmon had his best regular-season game against the Bengals with six receptions for 48 yards. The Jaguars need him to continue to move in the right direction if the offense is going to improve.
Key matchups: The Jaguars simply can’t allow Bears WR Brandon Marshall to have a huge game like Bengals WR A.J. Green did against them last week. Marshall is coming off a big performance against the Cowboys where he had seven receptions for 183 yards and a touchdown. Expect CB Derek Cox to cover him in some situations, but the Jaguars would be wise to not leave him in single coverage all game.
Injuries of note: WR Laurent Robinson isn’t likely to play after sustaining two concussions in the last two weeks. LB Daryl Smith (groin) is still not practicing, and likely won’t be back for a couple more weeks. DE George Selvie (knee) has been limited at practice, and he is questionable.
Inside stuff: The OL got whipped against the Bengals, and coach Mike Mularkey has been looking to make some improvements. Expect rookie Michael Brewster to start at LG over Eben Britton on Sunday.
Connections: Jones-Drew has discussed being friends with Chicago RB Matt Forte, and said he went to his wedding this offseason. Chicago offensive coordinator Mike Tice was an assistant head coach for the Jaguars from 2006-09.
Stat you should know: Gabbert was sacked six times last week against the Bengals. He had only been sacked six times total in the first three games, so it was an unusually bad performance for the O-line, but it’s still a concern going forward. Expect the Bears, who are third in the NFL with 16 sacks, to come after Gabbert hard on Sunday.
Record watch: K Josh Scobee needs one more field goal to tie the franchise record of 175, held by Mike Hollis.
Looking ahead: The Jaguars are off next weekend before playing at Oakland and Green Bay.
Prediction: Bears 30, Jaguars 17
For more news and analysis of the Jaguars, follow Daniel Lewis @CBSJags.