Jaguars return to Hall of Fame game for first time since 1995, take on Las Vegas Raiders
The Jacksonville Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders bring football back to America's living rooms Thursday with the Pro Football Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio.
For the Jags, the game will mark several milestones: it's the first game under coach Doug Pederson, it's the first time they have played the Raiders in a preseason game, and it's the first time since the inaugural season of the franchise they have played in the Hall of Fame game.
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The timing is perfect: two days later, on Saturday, offensive tackle Tony Boselli will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Boselli was the Jaguars' first-ever draft pick and the anchor of the line for seven seasons.
What to know about the Jaguars-Raiders game
When: Thursday, 8 p.m.
Where: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio (capacity, 23,000).
TV: NBC, Peacock.
Radio: 1010-AM, 92.5-FM
Line: Jaguars +2.5, over/under 32.5.
Last year: Jaguars 3-14, Raiders 10-7.
Series history: The Jaguars hold a 5-4 lead over the Raiders in regular-season games.
Last meeting: Gardner Minshew threw two touchdown passes to Chris Conley in the final 5:15 to really the Jags to a 20-16 victory over the Raiders in their final home game in Oakland on Dec. 15, 2019. Ten current members of the Jaguars played in that game.
Jaguars in Hall of Fame game: The Jags lost to Carolina 20-14 in the 1995 Hall of Fame game.
Hall of Fame: Boselli and Riverside High graduate LeRoy Butler will be inducted on Saturday.
What to expect
• It's doubtful that very many starters on either team will play as the Jags and Raiders will be the only NFL teams with four preseason games.
• With first-round draft pick Devin Lloyd likely out at linebacker, third-round pick Chad Muma and veteran Shaq Quarterman will get a chance to prove themselves in game conditions.
• Center Luke Fortner is likely to get his chance to justify his selection in the third round.
• Jaguars kickers Ryan Santoso and Elliott Fry will continue their training camp battle. Santoso has the slight edge coming out of the first week of camp.
• Travis Etienne is not likely to play much, if at all, at running back and James Robinson isn't ready yet as he continues to recover from his Achilles tendon injury last year. Rookie Snoop Conner and veterans Ryquell Armstead and Mekhi Sargent are battling for the third running back spot.
• When the Jaguars signed undrafted free agent wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr., of Notre Dame, it was considered a bit of a steal. But Austin has not been impressive in training camp and needs to start flashing the talent that resulted in 48 receptions for 888 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
About the Raiders
Veteran offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels returns to head coaching after a failed two-year spin at Denver in 2009-10 (11-17). Quarterback Derek Carr and the richest wide receiver in NFL history, Davante Adams, aren't likely to play but the Jaguars might get a heavy dose of fourth-round draft pick Zamir White of Georgia, who gained 212 yards on 21 carries against the Florida Gators in the last two games in Jacksonville.
Contact Garry Smits at gsmits@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Here's what to know about the Jaguars vs. Raiders Hall of Fame game
