Jaguars

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The Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Detroit Lions tonight in their third preseason game, which means we?ll get an extended look at who should be out there for the most part come the regular season.
Naturally all eyes will be focused on the quarterbacks, specifically Blake Bortles. After two solid preseason outings, it?s time to see what Bortles can do against what was one of the better defenses in the NFL in 2014.

Luckily Bortles will have some help in the form of 2nd round pick T.J. Yeldon, who is making his first appearance for the team. Julius Thomas is still being held out thanks to a fractured hand, but Bortles has plenty of weapons on the outside.


Defensively, the Lions pose a serious challenge to the Jaguars. This game should be a good test for the secondary and the defensive line.

 

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The Jaguars starters figure to play at least a series into the third quarter Friday night against the Detroit Lions in their so-called dress rehearsal game.

--First turnover: They are just one of three teams that failed to get a turnover in the first two games. Cincinnati and Dallas are the other two.



--First sack by a starter: The Jaguars had only three sacks in the first two games and both were by backups ? two by Cap Capi and one by Chris Smith.

--Keep converting on third and short: The Jaguars regulars had four third-and-two or third-and-one plays and converted all four against the Giants.

--Keep scoring on each drive: Bortles has directed six drives in the preseason and four scoring drives.

--Get longer runs: The Jaguars have run well, especially in short yardage situations. But their longest run in the first two games was a 12-yarder by Bernard Pierce.

--Stay interception free: Bortles threw 32 passes in the first two games and wasn?t intercepted.

 

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Matthew Stafford, Golden Tate expected to get extended playing time Friday


Matthew Stafford, Golden Tate and most of the rest of the Lions starters should play the majority of the first half -- the last likely glimpse of them until the season opener in San Diego. While Calvin Johnson might not play, watching for who receives the majority of first-team work in his absence will be a key to who ends up on the roster at receiver behind Johnson and Tate.

 

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Rookie RB T.J. Yeldon will make his long-awaited debut against the Lions. The 6-foot-1, 226-pounder missed the Jaguars? first two preseason games after he injured his left hand during a scrimmage on Aug. 8. He was able to practice in a non-contact capacity until Monday, when he was cleared for full participation. The Jaguars drafted Yeldon 36th overall after he rushed for 3,322 yards and 37 touchdowns at Alabama. Also making his 2015 preseason debut is DE Chris Clemons, who came off the active/non-football injury list on Aug. 17.

The Jaguars' pass rush has produced just three sacks in two preseason games and Clemons is the team's best pass rusher, so it will be interesting to what kind of impact he has in his first action. Clemons finished second on the team with 8.0 sacks last season.