The Detroit Lions (8-1) will welcome the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8) to Ford Field this Sunday for a Week 11 matchup. The Lions are riding high after an exhilarating “Sunday Night Football” comeback victory against the Houston Texans, extending their winning streak since their only loss in Week 2 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Detroit aims to sweep the AFC South this season, having already beaten the Tennessee Titans and Texans.

For Jacksonville, the season has been nothing short of disappointing. Losing quarterback Trevor Lawrence for the season has been a devastating blow, and the team is now under immense pressure. Head coach Doug Pederson’s job could be on the line if the Jaguars fail to turn things around, making Sunday’s game critical for the struggling franchise.

The Lions have historically fared well against the Jaguars, leading the all-time series 5-3-0. Detroit has also won the last four matchups, including a dominant 40-14 victory in their most recent meeting on December 4, 2022, at Ford Field. Here’s a closer look at the key factors and predictions heading into Sunday’s showdown.

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### Is This a Trap Game?
**Josh:** *Proceed with caution.*
Sunday’s game has the makings of a potential trap for Detroit. The Lions are among the NFL’s elite this season, while Jacksonville sits near the bottom of the standings. Add in the emotional high from last week’s dramatic win in Houston, and it’s easy to imagine the Lions overlooking their opponent. While Detroit has shown discipline in avoiding letdowns so far, maintaining that consistency remains their biggest challenge.

**Tommy:** *Not worried.*
Honestly, I’m not too concerned about this one. Sure, it’s a trap-game scenario on paper, but the Lions have proven they can fight through any situation. Jacksonville, meanwhile, appears to lack confidence, having lost four of their last five games. This Lions team has the focus and determination to take care of business.

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### Key Matchups to Watch
**Josh:** *Lions Defensive Line vs. Jaguars Running Game*
Although the Jaguars rank near the bottom in rushing yards per game, they’ve been efficient on a per-carry basis, averaging 4.7 yards—tying them with Detroit for eighth-best in the league. The Lions must shut down Jacksonville’s ground game and force quarterback Mac Jones, likely starting in place of Lawrence, to win the game through the air. Making the Jags one-dimensional will put Detroit in a strong position to dominate.

**Tommy:** *Lions Passing Game vs. Jaguars Secondary*
This matchup heavily favors the Lions. Jacksonville has the league’s worst passing defense, while Detroit’s air attack has been one of the NFL’s best. Despite Jared Goff’s five-interception performance against Houston, the Lions still pulled off a victory. With Jacksonville’s defense far less formidable than Houston’s, Goff and the Lions should have little trouble moving the ball this week.

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### Players to Watch
**Josh:** *Carlton Davis III*
Over the last five weeks, Davis has emerged as one of the NFL’s top corners, ranked fifth by Pro Football Focus. He has also allowed the lowest passer rating among corners during that span. On Sunday, he’ll likely be tasked with covering rookie Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville’s leading receiver. This battle could be one of the game’s most intriguing matchups.

**Tommy:** *Jared Goff*
Goff’s rough outing last week was uncharacteristic, throwing five interceptions in one game. How he bounces back will be crucial. With the comfort of playing at home against a struggling Jaguars defense, this could be the perfect opportunity for Goff to regain his rhythm and lead the Lions to another commanding win.

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### Predictions
**Josh:** *Lions 35, Jaguars 17*
I usually avoid predicting lopsided outcomes, but this one feels inevitable. The Jaguars have been out of sync all season, and the Lions continue to build momentum. Expect Detroit to dominate both offensively and defensively on Sunday.

**Tommy:** *Lions 45, Jaguars 6*
This game has blowout written all over it. Detroit’s offense is firing on all cylinders, and Jacksonville’s defense doesn’t seem equipped to handle the challenge. On the other side of the ball, the Lions’ defense should have little trouble containing Mac Jones and the Jaguars’ offense.

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Season Prediction Records
– **Josh:** 7-2 (Won last pick)
– **Tommy:** 7-2 (Won last pick)

The Lions have proven themselves as a top contender this season, while the Jaguars are looking to salvage any pride in what’s been a rough year. With a mismatch on paper and Detroit’s momentum, Sunday’s game could further solidify the Lions’ standing as one of the NFL’s best teams.