The Jacksonville Jaguars are the only double-digit underdog of what the NFL calls its kickoff weekend. Considering they went 4-12 last season while the Philadelphia Eagles ended up with a 10-6 record and in the playoffs, that shouldn't come as a complete surprise.
But coach Gus Bradley scoffs at the suggestion that a team comprised in large part of first-year and second-year players will be overwhelmed by going on the road and facing such a formidable opponent.
"Our guys look at it as a great opportunity, a great challenge," he said. "It's like talking to the three rookie receivers. They're like, 'We don't feel like rookies. We're excited about going up there. Let's go' ... And I think that spreads throughout the team."
Those three rookies -- second-round picks Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson, plus the undrafted Allen Hurns -- could come under greater scrutiny if Cecil Shorts III remains slowed or even is unavailable because of a hamstring which flared up Thursday during practice. While Hurns was a revelation over the past four games, Robinson never got on the field for any of them because of a hamstring injury.
"You go into the situation where you've got rookie receivers, and a lot of people don't know what to expect," Lee said. "In our eyes, it's just going out there and utilizing your opportunity, taking advantage of the opportunity. The ball comes your way, you've got to catch it. It's the same thing you've been doing since you were a child."
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Eagles offensive line, particularly LG Evan Mathis and RT Allen Barbre, vs. Jaguars defensive line, particularly DT Roy Miller and DE Red Bryant.
The Jaguars caught a break when Lane Johnson, the Eagles' top draft pick a year ago and their usual starting right tackle, was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Barbre will be making his first start since 2009, when he was with the Green Bay Packers.
Mathis was by far the highest-graded run-blocking guard in the league last season, according to Pro Football Focus, and made the Pro Bowl for the first time. His proficiency had as much as anything to do with LeSean McCoy becoming the first Eagle to lead the league in rushing since Steve Van Buren in 1947.
Although the Jaguars ranked 29th out of 32 teams a year ago in stopping the run, the side where Miller and Bryant ordinarily line up was virtually impenetrable during the preseason. Miller is showing no lingering effects of the shoulder injury which sidelined him in December, and Bryant has so impressed the coaching staff since coming over from the Seattle Seahawks that Tyson Alualu -- a starter in every game since being a first-round pick by the Jaguars in 2010 -- has had to settle for a backup role.
TRENDING UP
Jaguars: Yes, it was only the preseason and he threw a total of 38 passes, but Chad Henne was not picked off once. In further encouraging turnover-related news, the Jaguars did not lose a single fumble during the preseason.
Eagles: Coming off his 1,607-yard season, McCoy needs 1,066 more to overtake Wilbert Montgomery as the top rusher in franchise history. Montgomery ran for 6,538 yards from 1977 to 1984 and was a big reason why the Eagles reached the Super Bowl for the first time.
TRENDING DOWN
Jaguars: Their record against NFC opponents the past three years is 1-11. The only victory came when they defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 41-14 in December 2011.
Eagles: Their defense gave up an average of 394 yards a game last season. Only the Chicago Bears, the Minnesota Vikings and the Dallas Cowboys were more porous.
INJURY REPORT
Jaguars: RB Storm Johnson (ankle), T Austin Pasztor (hand) and TE Clay Harbor (calf) are out. WR Cecil Shorts (hamstring) and T Josh Wells (shoulder) are questionable. WR Allen Robinson (hamstring), K Josh Scobee (right quad), P Bryan Anger (right groin), DT Sen'Derrick Marks (shoulder), G Zane Beadles (calf) and C Luke Bowanko (quad) are probable.
Eagles: WR Josh Huff (shoulder) and T Matt Tobin (ankle) are out. CB Jaylen Watkins (hamstring) and RB Chris Polk (hamstring) are questionable. WR Riley Cooper (ankle) and WR Brad Smith (groin) are probable.
DID YOU KNOW?
Only 15 players on the Jaguars' current roster were with the team when general manager Dave Caldwell was hired in January 2013. There are 18 new players on their roster since the end of last season, including three undrafted rookies.
You can follow Ken Hornack on Twitter @HornackFSFla or email him at khornack32176@gmail.com.
