Jacksonville Jaguars' Blake Bortles (L) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Jameis Winston. (Photo : Reuters)
The Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) are both struggling in the early goings of the new season and so their match at the Raymond James Stadium on Sunday is a crucial one if they want to build any kind of momentum moving forward.
Jacksonville lost a close 16-13 game versus the Indianapolis Colts in overtime last Sunday at the Lucas Oil Stadium, as per SB Nation.
Gus Bradley's boys could not take advantage of the absence of Colts' resident signal caller Andrew Luck, who was out for the first time in his career due to a bruised shoulder.
Their own quarterback, Blake Bortles was good enough that day, passing 28-of-50 for 298 yards and a touchdown, but they didn't pull off a win even if Indianapolis played badly the whole night.
Meanwhile, 2015 first overall pick Jameis Winston continues to struggle in the professional league as the Bucs dropped a 37-23 match against Cam Newton's Carolina Panthers, via Heavy.
Newton was sloppy during the game, but Winston was sloppier as he threw 26-of-43 for 287 yards, two touchdowns but with four interceptions and two sacks for a low QBR of 18.0.
Winston and Tampa Bay will have the opportunity to redeem themselves against the lowly Jaguars, but it looks like Bortles is ripe for a great game this time around.
Prediction: Jaguars win, 28-21.
Jacksonville Jaguars starting lineup
Offense: Bortles (QB), Yeldon (RB), A. Robinson (WR1), Hurns (WR2), Lewis (TE1), Jacobs (TE2), Joeckel (LT), Beadles (LG), Wisniewski (C), Shatley (RG), Parnell (RT)
Defense: Clemons (DE), Alualu (DT), Miller (DT), Odrick (DE), Skuta (OLB), Posluszny (MLB), Smith (OLB), House (CB1), Colvin (CB2), Cyprien (SS), Sample (FS)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting lineup
Offense: Winston (QB), Martin (RB), Lane (FB), Evans (WR1), Jackson (WR2), Myers (TE), D. Smith (LT), Mankins (LG), E. Smith (C), Marpet (RG), Cherilus (RT)
Defense: J. Smith (DE), McCoy (DT), McDonald (DT), Johnson (DE), Lansanah (OLB), Alexander (MLB), David (OLB), Jennings (CB1), Verner (CB2), Swearinger (SS), McDougald (FS)
