The Jaguars travel to MetLife Stadium tied for first place in the AFC South at 2-1 following a 44-7 triumph over the Ravens at Wembley Stadium in London. Jacksonville added a number of players to its defense through free agency this offseason, including DL Calais Campbell, who ranks No. 2 in the NFL with 4.5 sacks.
The strength of the Jaguars defense is their secondary, led by cornerbacks A.J. Bouye, whom the team signed in the offseason, and Jalen Ramsey, the team's first-round draft choice in 2016. Jacksonville's pass defense sits atop the league through three weeks of the regular season, surrendering an average of 124 yards per game. According to Pro Football Focus, opposing quarterbacks have a 14.6 passer rating when targeting Ramsey this season as he's only allowed five catches for 34 yards on 15 targets.
Conversely, the Jaguars offense ranks No. 5 in the NFL in rushing as they average 140 yards on the ground. Running back Leonard Fournette, the fourth overall pick of the 2017 Draft, is their feature back and has rushed for 199 yards and three touchdowns on 57 carries. However, Jacksonville turned to the air in Week 3 and quarterback Blake Bortles threw for 244 yards and four touchdowns for a 128 rating.
"I think he's a great running back so far," Jets DL Leonard Williams said of the 6'0", 228-pound Fournette. "He's a downhill runner, big back and fights for extra yards. He's a good football player."
Offensive Matchup to Watch: Jets WRs vs. Jaguars DBs
This will be a good test for a unit that seems to be progressing each week. Ramsey and Bouye appear to be a dynamic duo and the Jags may boast one of the top secondaries the Green & White will face in 2017. Look for the Jets to stick to the ground early as offensive coordinator John Morton and head coach Todd Bowles have stressed the importance of running the football. Additionally, Jacksonville has the No. 28 ranked rush defense.
Defensive Matchup to Watch: Jamal Adams vs. Leonard Fournette
Sunday marks the first time Adams and Fournette have lined up against each other on opposing teams as they spent their entire college careers together at LSU (2014-16). On a macro level, if the Jets defense can stop Fournette and the run game, they'll have a good chance to win the game as the Jaguars pass offense ranks No. 23 in the league.
