Eighth in a 13-part series on the opponents the Green Bay Packers are scheduled to face during the 2020 regular season.
GREEN BAY - Three years ago, the unfathomable was happening. The Jacksonville Jaguars, forever embedded as an NFL laughingstock, were somehow on the cusp of a Super Bowl appearance.
The Jaguars hadn’t been to the playoffs in 10 years. They hadn’t won an AFC South title in almost 20. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, there they were, holding a 10-point lead on the road against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game, less than 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
It was unfathomable. So much that when the Patriots eventually pulled another rabbit out of their hat, scoring 14 points in the final 8:44 to secure another AFC crown, the outcome was expected.
So then, too, has been the aftermath.
The Jaguars followed their potential breakout 2017 season with a 5-11 record in 2018 and 6-10 in 2019. They are back to being bottom dwellers, finishing last in the AFC South the past two seasons. Doug Marrone still has his job as head coach – for now – but quarterback Blake Bortles is gone, and running back Leonard Fournette might not be far behind.
Is there hope for the Jaguars to rebound? Or will they retain the status quo?
Here’s a look at an unfamiliar Packers opponent.
Full Minshew
Gardner Minshew II was never supposed to be the Jaguars’ starting quarterback. Nick Foles signed a four-year contract with the Jaguars last spring, one that was supposed to establish the Super Bowl LII MVP as a franchise starter. The problem: Foles broke his clavicle in last season’s opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. When Minshew entered to complete 22 of 25 passes for 275 yards, two touchdowns and a 122.5 rating, there was reason for intrigue. Foles got a handful of starts late in the season and didn’t do much, losing all three with an 84.6 rating. The Jaguars traded Foles to the Chicago Bears this offseason, clearing the way for Minshew to be their full-time starter after a promising rookie season. The Jaguars were 6-6 in Minshew’s starts, with the former sixth-round pick completing 60.6 percent of his passes for 3,271 yards, 21 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 91.2 passer rating. If the Jaguars find a way to win, it’ll be on Minshew’s right arm.
Fournette’s future
Of course, Minshew should have plenty of help in the backfield. Leonard Fournette rebounded from a dismal, shortened 2018 season, rushing for 1,152 yards, gaining 1,674 from scrimmage and scoring three touchdowns in 15 games last year. It was the type of season that showed why Fournette was drafted fourth overall in 2017, but not enough for the Jaguars to extend him the fifth-year option that comes attached with all first-round picks. So now Fournette enters a contract year, looking to maximize his value before signing a second NFL deal. He could be a load to handle for a Packers' run defense with plenty to prove.
Strangely familiar
For two teams that rarely meet, there is plenty of Jaguars feel to the Packers' offense. Nathaniel Hackett spent four seasons with the Jaguars as quarterbacks coach (2015-16) and offensive coordinator (2016-18) before Packers coach Matt LaFleur hired him to be his offensive coordinator last year. His final three seasons in Jacksonville were under coach Doug Marrone, who fired Hackett after the 2018 season. Tight end Marcedes Lewis, a former first-round pick by the Jaguars, spent a dozen seasons in Jacksonville before joining the Packers in 2018. Perhaps Hackett will call up a touchdown play for Lewis just for old time’s sake.
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Packers schedule glimpse
Nov. 15 vs. Jaguars, noon, FOX
Week before: at San Francisco, Nov. 5.
Week after: at Indianapolis, Nov. 22.
On the horizon: vs. Bears, Nov. 29.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Coach: Doug Marrone (fifth season with Jaguars, two prior with Buffalo Bills, 37-45).
2019 record: 6-10, fourth in AFC South.
Scoring offense: 18.8 points per game (26th in NFL).
Total offense: 341.8 yards per game (20th).
Scoring defense: 24.8 points per game (21st).
Total defense: 375.4 yards per game (24th).
Series: Packers lead 4-2.
Last meeting: In a back-and-forth game, the Packers opened their 2016 season with a 27-23 victory in the sweltering Jacksonville heat. Aaron Rodgers completed 20 of 34 passes for 199 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 95.1 passer rating. His most impressive throw of the day was a 29-yard touchdown to Davante Adams, which Rodgers threw as he was being hit and somehow threaded tight coverage.
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