Chargers (4-8) at Jaguars (4-8)
Jaguars schedule
L ...... Kansas City ...... 40-26 L ...... at Houston ...... 13-12 W ....... Tennessee ....... 20-7 W ....... at Denver ....... 26-24 L ...... at Carolina ...... 34-27 L ...... New Orleans ...... 13-6 W .... at Cincinnati .... 27-17 W ........ N.Y. Jets ........ 29-15 L . Houston (London) . 26-3
BYE
L ... at Indianapolis ... 33-13 L .... at Tennessee .... 42-20 L ...... TampaBay ...... 28-11 Dec. 8 L.A. Chargers 4:05 Dec. 15 .. at Oakland .. 4:05 Dec. 22 ...... at Atlanta ...... 1 Dec. 29 ... Indianapolis ... 1
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
TV: Fox
Danny Sheridan’s line: by 3
Chargers’ key to victory: Los Angeles’ defense is talented, but it struggles against the run, allowing about 110 yards per game. If the Chargers can hold RB Leonard Fournette in check, it can put pass rushers Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa in a position where they can get after Gardner Minshew II, who is back starting over Nick Foles but has had fumbling issues. Offensively, QB Philip Rivers has a chance to deflate a defense that is no longer the elite group he dealt with in 2017. With CB Jalen Ramsey playing for the Los Angeles Rams now, Rivers shouldn’t have any issues linking up with top WR Keenan Allen to take advantage of anyone not matched up on CB A.J. Bouye.
Jaguars’ key to victory: Minshew gives the Jaguars more ability from the pocket in terms of evading elite pass rushers than Foles. However, to alleviate pressure on the rookie, Fournette must continue his success on the ground. Minshew should also look to get his favorite target, DJ Chark Jr., going because his success leads to the Jags’ offense to having a good day.
Matchup to watch: Chargers’ Allen vs. Jaguars’ Bouye. In the Jags’ and Chargers’ last meeting (in 2017), Bouye had a gamechanging interception. However, with Ramsey gone, there will be added pressure on the veteran to handle his business against Allen.
Who wins? The Jags haven’t won a game since before their bye week, and it’s hard to see that happening against the Chargers’ defense.
Chargers, 21-17
Chargers