February 23, 2025

Simon Inah

Jaguars vs. Lions Preview: 3 Crucial Matchups, Key Statistical Insights The Jaguars have leaned heavily on dime personnel this season, using it the ninth most in the NFL with 94 snaps (9.4 snaps per game). However, this defensive approach has been a significant vulnerability, as the Jaguars’ run defense from dime is the worst in the league, allowing a staggering +1.13 EPA per rush. Even more troubling, 91% of those runs come on third down. Ben Johnson won’t hesitate to capitalize on this weakness, using it as an opportunity to dominate on the ground in clear passing situations. With the Jaguars’ interior defensive line struggling to control the line of scrimmage, they’ll have a tough time holding up in this matchup. I expect Johnson to unleash his offense with 10- or 11-personnel, spreading the field wide, and potentially using Amon-Ra St. Brown in motion out of the backfield, a move he’s utilized before. This will allow the Lions’ offensive line to overpower a defense already compromised by six defensive backs. On the flip side, it’s challenging to assess the Jaguars’ offense with Mac Jones stepping in for the injured Trevor Lawrence. With second-year back Tank Bigsby also sidelined, the Jaguars will need to manufacture success on the ground. While they rank in the middle of the pack in various rushing metrics (14th-18th in EPA per rush, 10+ yard runs, Stuff Rate, and Success Rate), their advanced statistics tell a revealing story. The Jaguars rank a dismal 30th in Yards Before Contact (YBCo/Att) at just 0.77, but they lead the league with 3.94 Yards After Contact (YACo/Att). This indicates that their offensive line struggles to create initial push, but their running backs—particularly Travis Etienne and Bigsby—excel at breaking tackles and turning negative plays into positive yardage, which will be critical against a tenacious Lions defense. Digging deeper into the running backs’ production, using FTNFantasy’s DVOA metrics, the Jaguars rank 10th in Second-Level Yards per Attempt (1.30) and 5th in Open Field Yards per Attempt (1.17). Both Bigsby and Etienne have been exceptional at creating yards after contact—Bigsby leads the NFL with 4.9 YACo/Att, while Etienne ranks second with 4.0 YACo/Att. Even without Bigsby, Etienne’s explosive ability to churn out yardage will keep the Lions’ defense on its toes. With their backs capable of turning broken plays into big gains, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will stress the importance of precise tackling and relentless pursuit. The Lions’ defense has been one of the league’s most dominant at limiting YACo/Att, ranking second overall with 2.41 YACo/Att. Their formula for success has been gang-tackling and preventing additional yardage, a strategy that has proven effective over the last two seasons. If all three levels of Detroit’s defense execute their responsibilities—stopping the run and forcing Mac Jones to take the reins—the Lions should be able to suffocate the Jaguars’ offensive game plan. Players like Josh Paschal, Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, and Carlton Davis III will play pivotal roles in keeping the Jaguars’ ground game in check.

The Jaguars have been using dime personnel at the ninth highest rate in the...

Cowboys Roundup: Week 11 Madden Sim; Micah Parsons Jeered at Paul-Tyson Fight? Here’s the latest Dallas Cowboys news for Saturday, November 16. Micah Parsons, the Cowboys linebacker, was seen before the game against the Baltimore Ravens. / Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images Hello, Dallas Cowboys Nation! It was a marathon Friday night at AT&T Stadium, but not because of a Cowboys defeat; instead, Jake Paul and Mike Tyson dominated the scene in Big D. Jerry’s World hosted the high-octane event, packed with stars, as the night’s extravaganza finally concluded. A quick tip: cutting out sunglare is essential for any night event, right? Now we can enjoy a stress-free weekend, as the Cowboys don’t square off with the Houston Texans until Monday Night Football. MORE: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders electrified the Paul-Tyson event with an unforgettable ‘Thunderstruck’ performance. Madden 25 Week 11 Simulation The weekly Madden simulation from Blogging the Boys has dropped, and it predicts a commanding win for the Cowboys in their primetime clash with the Houston Texans, with an exciting twist. Micah Parsons Booed at Paul-Tyson Fight Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons attended the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight, where he was featured on the jumbotron but was met with a chorus of boos from the crowd. Meanwhile, icons like Shaquille O’Neal and Rob Gronkowski were greeted with thunderous applause. Cowboys Quick Hits Cowboys vs Texans, Week 11 Injury Report: Three key players return to practice… Dallas Nearly Landed Pro Bowl Running Back in 2023 NFL Draft… Cowboys Legend Proposes Deion Sanders as New Head Coach to Jerry Jones at Paul-Tyson Event… DaRon Bland Injury Update: All-Pro cornerback’s status revealed by Stephen Jones… Cowboys Set to Reunite with Familiar Face for MNF vs. Texans… Rico Dowdle Responds to Being Named Cowboys’ Lead Running Back… Could Jerry Jones Target Jason Witten as Cowboys Head Coach?

Cowboys Roundup: Week 11 Madden Simulation; Micah Parsons Booed at Paul-Tyson Fight? Here’s the...