Jaguars’ front-running offense tests depleted Eagles

The central matchup

The Philadelphia Eagles, 2-2 and second in the NFC East, arrive at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with an offense searching for answers without two of its leading playmakers. The Jacksonville Jaguars, 3-1 and first in the AFC South, bring one of the league’s most balanced attacks into Sunday, October 11, at 9:30 AM ET; this game turns on whether Philadelphia can slow that attack while finding enough production of its own.

Jacksonville is third in offensive efficiency, producing 0.22 expected points added per play, a measure of how much each snap improves a team’s scoring outlook. The Jaguars are also second in passing efficiency and fourth on the ground, with a 53.1% success rate—the share of plays that create positive expected points added.

That breadth is a difficult fit for an Eagles defense that is 23rd against the run in efficiency and allows 122 rushing yards per game. Philadelphia’s stronger path is through the air: its pass defense ranks 11th in efficiency, while Jacksonville has allowed 291.5 passing yards per game, 31st in the league.

Quarterbacks and absences

Trevor Lawrence has given Jacksonville a clean start, with 843 passing yards, eight touchdown passes and two interceptions in his four starts. Bhayshul Tuten has added 277 rushing yards and two touchdowns, giving the Jaguars a backfield threat against a defense that must account for both phases.

Jalen Hurts has thrown seven touchdown passes in his four starts, but the Eagles rank 28th in offensive efficiency at minus-0.096 EPA per play and 30th in passing yards per game. Saquon Barkley, their leading rusher with 182 yards, is out with a hamstring injury, and leading receiver DeVonta Smith is out with a hamstring injury after 235 yards in three games; six more Eagles are out, while Jonathan Greenard and Tariq Castro-Fields are questionable.

Jacksonville enters off a 22-17 road win over Cincinnati, while Philadelphia is coming off a 24-20 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Eric Murray is doubtful with a concussion for the Jaguars, and Devon Marshall is questionable. At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, October 11, at 9:30 AM ET, sportsbooks’ prices give Jacksonville a 76% chance to win.