'Sense of urgency': Jaguars set to take on New York Jets on Thursday Night Football

There wasn't much time this week for the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8) to worry about what happened last Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.

Though the team had an impressive, surprising victory against the Cowboys, winning 40-34 with a walk-off touchdown to close out the contest in overtime, Jacksonville had just four days to prepare for their Thursday Night Football matchup against the New York Jets (7-7).

That short turnaround is something Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson is all-too-familiar with, having gone undefeated (6-0) during his Thursday Night appearances over the years as the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The game will be broadcast live on Prime Video this Thursday at 8:15 p.m. at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The game will be broadcast locally on FOX-30. It will be the third road matchup for Jacksonville in the past month, dating back to the team's Week 13 loss to the Detroit Lions.

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It will be the first prime time matchup for Jacksonville this season, one that will have playoff implications for both squads. It's an opportunity for the Jaguars to win three games in a row, something they haven't done since 2017. The Jaguars have also lost their past four games at MetLife Stadium.

"Everything is still right in front of us, and we just have to embrace that," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said Thursday.

"The players got to lean on each other, keep encouraging each other. We’re in that home stretch of the season and are in situations that you want to be in. You want to be in those meaningful games where there’s a little sense of urgency and go see what happens.”

Jaguars, Jets playoff implications loom large

There will be plenty to watch for during Thursday's game for both squads, including how their respective quarterbacks play and handle the potentially adverse weather. But, from a team perspective, both squads will be playing for a bit more — a right to enter the playoffs this season.

For Jacksonville, the team controls its own destiny. If they win out, meaning, if they defeat the Jets, Houston Texans (Week 17) and Tennessee Titans (Week 18), they'll get an opportunity to host a playoff game as the winner of the AFC South.

The Jaguars also can get into the playoffs by simply matching the Titans' record over the next two weeks and ultimately beating Tennessee in Week 18. With Trevor Lawrence playing at a high level, it's perhaps an easy path to success for Jacksonville.

For New York, the team needs a bit of help to get into the playoffs after losing three-straight games. They'll first need to win out, starting with the game against the Jaguars. They'd also need the Patriots to lose at least one game, or the Chargers to lose at least one AFC game, or the Baltimore Ravens to lose all three of their remaining games.

A return to Metlife Stadium for Jaguars TE Evan Engram

Though he will not be returning to face off against his former team, a return to New York will be fun for Jaguars tight end Evan Engram. Engram spent the first five years of his career playing for the New York Giants, who share MetLife Stadium with the New York Jets.

"Definitely excited to get back," Engram said in the locker room Tuesday. "I had fun playing there. So, I had a very fortunate, blessed five years there. So it definitely will mean something but I'm definitely locked in on just getting a win, doing whatever it takes to win."

In 32 games played at MetLife Stadium from 2017-21, Engram accounted for 116 catches for 1,211 yards and six touchdowns. He is hoping to have more success there as Jacksonville looks to continue its current hot streak.

There are a couple of aspects that will be hurdles for Jacksonville to get over Thursday.

They need to account for the cold temperatures and rainy weather. The current forecast for Thursday calls for a high of 48℉ with a low of 44℉. There is a 63 percent chance of rain during the day and a 98 percent chance of rain at night.

"We won't be caught by surprise," Engram said. "We're not gonna make excuses. We know what we're going into. We're gonna do whatever it takes."

Another hurdle is the turf at MetLife Stadium, which has been talked about around the league for years now. Engram has dealt with it plenty and says that "people definitely have their stories," but the biggest adjustment will be the fact that the team has played on grass over the past couple of weeks and practiced on grass. So, there will be an adjustment.

Sauce Gardner, Jets defense present tough challenges

The Jets feature one of the best defenses Jacksonville will face this season. The Jets are ranked No. 3 in the league, allowing just 305.4 yards per game.

They are ranked in at least the top 15 in all major defensive categories and allow just 18.8 points per game.

Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor said Tuesday the Jets' defense feels like "there's just a wave of defensive linemen coming in and out," a credit to the team's depth at that position.

The Jets have nine defensive linemen with at least one sack this season. That includes big-man defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who leads the team with 11 sacks on the year.

"It just feels like they keep throwing pass rushers out there," Taylor said. "They’re playing with their hair on fire. They’re flying up the field at the quarterback. They’ve done a good job."

The Jets are ranked ninth in the league in sacks with 39 this season.

The Jets' pass defense is ranked fourth in the league, allowing just 193.9 yards per game through the air, led by the pass rush and rookie cornerback Sauce Gardner, who Taylor likened to former Seattle Seahawks CB Richard Sherman — or at least that mold.

"The guys that are just long and lengthy and able to make plays on the ball. He’s playing with a ton of confidence. I think last week they didn’t really go after him much at all and didn’t really test him, which I understand," Taylor said.

"You can see that watching the tape. He’s really made an impact early on in his career there, so he’s a good player.”

Gardner currently ranks as the top corner in football, with a Pro Football Focus grade of 87.9. He's given up just 26 receptions, 262 yards and one touchdown. He was targetted zero times last week in the Jets' loss to the Lions.

Rayshawn Jenkins wins AFC Defensive Player of the Week

To close out last week's dominant finish against the Cowboys, Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins was awarded the NFL's AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor, the team announced Wednesday.

Jenkins became the first player in NFL history with 18 combined tackles and two interceptions in a single game after he returned an interception for a touchdown to close out the game against the Cowboys in overtime.

Fatukasi, Robinson, Walker headline list of injuries

Jaguars defensive lineman Foley Fatukasi (ankle) and OL Cam Robinson (knee) were injured last week and will not suit up this week. Rookie outside linebacker Travon Walker (ankle), who did not play last week against the Cowboys, also will not play Thursday.

The Jaguars also listed several players, including QB Trevor Lawrence (toe), safety Andrew Wingard (shoulder), LB Chad Muma (ankle), offensive lineman Brandon Scherff (abdomen), and OL Jawaan Taylor (hamstring) on their reports this week.

For the Jets, the team’s biggest injuries included quarterback Mike White, who has been ruled out and DL Quinnen Williams, who is expected to be a game-time decision due to a calf injury. Williams was limited in practice this week.

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @Demetrius82.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars face NY Jets with NFL playoffs at stake in Week 16 game