Who's the Guy?
Brian Thomas Jr. is a big play specialist with the size, speed and skill to overwhelm defenders in one-on-one matchups. With the Jaguars intent on getting the ball to the rookie wideout early and often, the Raiders need to track his whereabouts on every down.
Know His Name
Josh Hines-Allen is a disruptive pass rusher with "take over the game" potential. The two-time Pro Bowler possesses the first-step quickness and "bend and burst" quickness to harass quarterbacks relentlessly off the edge. With 52.0 career sacks, including seven in 2024, Hines-Allen is the game-wrecker who deserves extra attention in pass protection.
Don't Sleep On…
Travon Walker has emerged as a worthy sidekick to Hines-Allen as a complementary pass rusher. The former No. 1 overall pick overpowers blockers with his explosive strength, utilizing various power-based maneuvers to win at the line. Though his pass-rushing skills lack polish, Walker's superhuman strength makes him a challenge to neutralize in the trenches.
Under Pressure
Mac Jones is coming off his best performance with the Jaguars, but the former first-rounder is a streaky passer from the pocket. The fourth-year pro is completing 65.7% of his passes, but his lopsided touchdown-to-interception ratio (four touchdowns and seven interceptions) and shaky ball security (two fumbles) have hurt the Jaguars in crucial moments. Given the importance of quarterback play in close games, the pressure is on Jones to play well to help his three-win team notch a "W" on the road.
Matchup to Watch
Brock Bowers vs. Darnell Savage
The Jaguars' propensity to play man-to-man coverage could result in Savage shadowing Bowers all over the field. The hybrid safety/nickel defender possesses the speed and quickness to limit the rookie's space, but his size limitations make him a liability in the red zone. With Bowers likely targeted 10-plus times as the offense's focal point, the Jaguars' safety could wilt under the aerial assault on Sunday.
Offensive Scheme
The Jaguars will want to rely on a ball-control attack, with Jones relentlessly peppering the defense with various quick-rhythm throws to keep the offense ahead of the chains. Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne Jr. will complement the high-percentage passing game with off-tackle runs designed to take advantage of "light" boxes. If the Jaguars can stay on schedule, offensive coordinator Press Taylor will dial up a few deep shots to Thomas to take advantage of optimal big-play chances.
Defensive Scheme
The Jaguars' defensive struggles have resulted from misalignments, blown assignments and poor tackling on the perimeter. Though the Jaguars' lineup features a feature of talented playmakers, the unit's shoddy execution could help the Raiders regain their swagger in Week 16.
As the Silver and Black prepare for the Week 16 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, take a look back at their past matchups through the years.
The Oakland Raiders line up before the snap during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders running back Napoleon Kaufman (26) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Rob Fredrickson (53) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
The Oakland Raiders line up before the snap during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders tackle Lincoln Kennedy (72) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Jeff Hostetler (15) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Daryl Hobbs (80) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 1996, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown (81) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 21, 1997, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Russell Maryland (67) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 21, 1997, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Doug Gabriel (85) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, January 2, 2005, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp (99) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, January 2, 2005, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders full back Zack Crockett (32) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Network Associates Coliseum, Sunday, January 2, 2005, in Oakland, Calif.
The Oakland Raiders offense lines up before the snap during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Sunday, December 23, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Jay Richardson (98) during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Sunday, December 23, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Terdell Sands (90) during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Sunday, December 23, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders running back Dominic Rhodes (33) during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Sunday, December 23, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders tight end Zach Miller (80) makes a 2-yard touchdown catch during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Sunday, December 23, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders guard Cooper Carlisle (66) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, October 21, 2012, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders guard Cooper Carlisle (66) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, October 21, 2012, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Mike Jenkins (21) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Rod Streater (80) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders center/guard Stefen Wisniewski (61) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (2) during the regular season home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at O.co Coliseum, Sunday, September 15, 2013, in Oakland, Calif.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts (10) during the regular reason away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, October 23, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders punter Marquette King (7) during the regular reason away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, October 23, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) makes a 2-yard touchdown catch during the regular reason away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, October 23, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) rushes for a 9-yard touchdown during the regular reason away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, October 23, 2016, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oakland Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (96) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders center Rodney Hudson (61) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders linebacker Will Compton (51) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Oakland Raiders cornerback Nevin Lawson (26) during the regular season game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Sunday, December 15, 2019.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) rushes for an 8-yard touchdown during the Hall of Fame Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Thursday, August 4, 2022, in Canton, Ohio.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) rushes during the Hall of Fame Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Thursday, August 4, 2022, in Canton, Ohio.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Hroniss Grasu (65) lines up before the snap during the Hall of Fame Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Thursday, August 4, 2022, in Canton, Ohio.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Zach VanValkenburg (54) makes a tackle during the Hall of Fame Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Thursday, August 4, 2022, in Canton, Ohio.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) knocks downs the quarterback during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) lines up to kick a 38-yard field goal during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (26) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) makes a tackle during the regular season away game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla.
