Green Bay Packers v. Jaguars: Week 10 Predictions

Before the Green Bay Packers face off with the Jacksonville Jaguars, here are four predictions for how Sunday’s matchup will play out.

The Green Bay Packers survived what many would call their toughest stretch of the season, going 2-2 over their last four games, which puts them at 6-2 on the season, tied for the best record in the NFC. Coming to Titletown this week is a Jacksonville Jaguars team that is trending in the exact opposite direction. The Jaguars are 1-7, having lost their last seven games, and find themselves one of several teams vying for Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

As it was against Minnesota two weeks ago, the weather here in Green Bay is going to be a big storyline. The rain should be out of the area by kickoff, but once again, we could see gusts up to 40 mph. When there are weird weather conditions like this, it tends to shrink the talent gap between the two teams.

On the injury front, the Green Bay Packers will be getting David Bakhtiari back, which of course, is fantastic news. However, they may be without both Jaire Alexander and Kevin King, making them extremely thin at cornerback. Meanwhile, the Jaguars will be without Gardner Minshew again, which means rookie Jake Luton will make his second career NFL start. Jacksonville will also be without Laviska Shenault and Doug Costin. You can find the injury report for both teams below:

Just as we do each week here at Dairyland Express, we have put together our predictions for how we think Sunday’s matchup will play out. Be sure to leave your prediction in the comments below, or find us on Twitter @DairylandXpress.

Matt LeVene (1-1)

Let’s get straight to the point; the Green Bay Packers should dominate this game. The Jaguars enter this contest with a lackluster 1-7 record. Green Bay has superior talent on both sides of the ball, and frankly, they should blow them out. In his career, Aaron Rodgers has never lost to a team with a winning percentage of 0.125 or lower, and he has an average margin of victory of over 18 points. This game should help add to that stat.

The only cause for concern is the depleted cornerback position for the Pack. With Jaire Alexander doubtful and Kevin King questionable, it may leave the former second-round pick, Josh Jackson, as CB1. If there were a game for Josh Jackson to breakout and solidify himself as a starting-caliber player going forward, it’s this week.

Prediction: Jaguars 16 – Packers 38

Kenny Jilek (5-3)

The Green Bay Packers offense, led by MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers, has been a juggernaut with the exception of a couple of games. The Jaguars’ defense has been one of the worst in the league and has allowed the second-most total yards per game. They are equally bad in both run and pass defense, and Matt LaFleur will have his pick of how to move the ball all day. Hopefully, Rodgers can rack up some passing stats in the first half because it will probably be a run-heavy attack if they have built up a big lead.

The Jaguars offense is better than their defense, but not by a lot. They have some great weapons like running back James Robinson, who has been a pleasant surprise for them after the departure of Leonard Fournette, and star wide receiver D.J. Chark who had 146 yards and a touchdown last week. The key for Jake Luton in his second career start will be getting the ball to these guys like he did last week. Hopefully, the Packers can take advantage of his inexperience and make this another week that they force multiple turnovers.

Prediction: Jaguars 20 – Packers 38

Brian Sampson (5-3)

This is what I call a confidence-boosting week for the Packers. They enter the game as two-touchdown favorites over the Jaguars and should be able to do anything and everything on offense. The Green Bay Packers are getting David Bakhtiari back while Allen Lazard will have to wait another week. Regardless, it should be a big day for everybody on that side of the ball.

Playing defense will be a bit more challenging considering it appears both Kevin King and Jaire Alexander will be out. They’ll rely on their pass rush more than ever–a scary proposition considering the struggles they’ve had this season.

Prediction: Jaguars 21 – Packers 31

Paul Bretl (6-2)

I know that the weather may be a topic of conversation, especially considering that the Green Bay Packers lost to the Viking just a few weeks ago in similar conditions. However, that was a more talented divisional opponent; the Packers should absolutely dominate against Jacksonville.

The Jaguars’ defense is by many metrics the worst in football, so even in the wind, the Packer offense should have no issues moving the ball up and down the field. On the flip side, two players on the Jacksonville offense to worry about are RB James Robinson and WR D.J. Chark. Expect to see a lot of Robinson, who has the sixth-most rushing yards this season, and if both Jaire Alexander and Kevin King can’t go, Chark could be a real problem for Josh Jackson or whoever has to cover him.

For this Packers’ defense, I hope to see a similar recipe that we saw against San Francisco. Do whatever you have to do to stop the run and pressure, pressure, pressure, the quarterback. Jake Luton had a solid week against Houston, but this is only his second career start, make him uncomfortable, and mistakes should ensue. That will also help limit Chark’s effectiveness as well.

Prediction: Jaguars 17 – Packers 34