3 reasons the Commanders will defeat the Jaguars in Week 1
By Jerry Trotta
Finally. After a ridiculously long offseason, it’s finally game week for the Washington Commanders. After leading off with Justin Herbert and the Chargers last season, schedule-makers decided to take it easy on Ron Rivera’s side this time around in the form of a home game against the three-win Jaguars.
On paper, this is a relatively soft opener for the Commanders. However, they shouldn’t take Jacksonville for credit after their busy offseason, that included the hiring of Doug Pederson to replace Urban Meyer and spending an astronomical $328.9 million in free agency and $195.15 million in guaranteed money.
As long as the Commanders don’t rest on their laurels, they should open the 2022 campaign with a tally in the win column. With that in mind, let’s put our fortune teller hats on and predict why Washington will defeat Jacksonville.
3 reasons the Commanders will beat the Jaguars in Week 1
3. Terry McLaurin goes scorched earth on weak secondary
There were far too many instances last season when McLaurin just wasn’t involved in Washington’s passing attack. In fact, McLaurin was targeted six or fewer times in five different games and he was only targeted 10 times in four games.
Look for that to change in a big way with Carson Wentz under center.
Fresh off signing a $73 million extension, we’re expecting McLaurin to go nuclear against a lackluster Jaguars secondary this Sunday. Like most of their positions, Jacksonville’s secondary should make major improvements in 2022 with second-year breakout candidates Tyson Campbell and Andrew Cisco.
Campbell is the Jags’ top corner, so he’ll likely match up with McLaurin. A promising second-round pick out of Georgia last year, Campbell had a solid rookie year but took his lumps in coverage like most rookie defensive backs.
As long as Wentz shows up (more on him in a minute), McLaurin should erupt for a huge season-opener. We’re expecting 8 catches on 12 targets for 107 yards and a touchdown. The Commanders have a tendency to win when McLaurin performs well and Sunday’s opener should be no different.
Pepper him with targets and good things will happen.