49ers (4-5) at Jaguars (2-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida TV: Fox
Tipico Sportsbook line: No line at press time
49ers’ keys to victory: Aside from limiting RB James Robinson, San Francisco needs to pay attention to the speed of the Jags’ interior pass catchers, specifically TE Dan Arnold and WR Jamal Agnew. Agnew is dangerous, playing in the slot and at running back. His speed is above average at both positions, so discipline in the open field is key for the Niners. Meanwhile, Arnold’s vertical speed can’t be underestimated. Offensively, QB Jimmy Garoppolo and Co. need a fast start like they had in Week 10. The Jags are better closers than their record indicates.
Jaguars’ keys to victory: San Francisco hasn’t been great against the run, allowing more than 131 yards on the ground per game before holding the Rams to 52 in Week 10. QB Trevor Lawrence and Co. have struggled lately but are at their best when their run-pass ratio is balanced. On defense, attacking G Daniel Brunskill and OT Tom Compton on the right
side of the line would help. They combined for nine pressures and three sacks allowed in a loss against Arizona in Week 9.
Matchup to watch: Jaguars DE/OLB Josh Allen vs. 49ers OT Trent Williams. While those battles on the right side will be most important, Allen and Williams are elite at their respective positions. Pro Football Focus listed Allen as the NFL’s seventh-best edge rusher after nine weeks, while Williams was the No. 1 offensive tackle.
Who wins? The key in this game could be the Niners’ talent through the air. If they get George Kittle and Co. going early as they did in Week 10, they win.
49ers, 28-24