3 things to know about the Jacksonville Jaguars
Every game is a must-win for the Bears from here on out, and this one is no different. The way the Bears (7-7) have been playing, a Week 16 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-13) should be an easy win.
But as the Los Angeles Rams proved this week with a loss to the previously winless New York Jets, no wins are easy wins in the NFL.
Here are three things to know about the Bears' next opponent:
1. Trevor Lawrence watch
By virtue of the Jets beating the Rams Sunday, the Jaguars are in the driver's seat for the No. 1 draft pick. With both teams 1-13, the Jaguars own the tiebreaker for the top pick, which is determined by strength of schedule.
If they want Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence - the odds-on favorite to go first overall - it would be in their best interest to lose their final two games.
Jacksonville will be one of the most intriguing situations for aspiring NFL general managers. The Jaguars are in need of a future GM after firing Dave Caldwell in November. They hold 11 draft picks in 2021, including two in the first round and two in the second. Whether they have the No. 1 overall or No. 2 pick, they will have a chance to draft a top quarterback prospect.
2. Talk about a losing streak
The Bears' six-game losing streak looks like nothing compared to what Jacksonville is going through. Since a Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts, 27-20, the Jaguars haven't won a game. They've burned through three quarterbacks during their 13-game losing streak and - similarly to the Bears - have gone back to the original Week 1 starter, Gardner Minshew.
The job appears to be Minshew's now, so don't get too hopeful for a Mike Glennon revenge game against the Bears. Glennon started four games for the Bears in 2017. He started three games for Jacksonville in Weeks 12, 13 and 14, but was benched in favor of Minshew midway through a Week 14 loss to Tennessee. Rookie Jake Luton, a sixth-round draft pick in 2020, has also started three games.
3. Hometown kid
If there's one bright spot for the Jaguars this season, it has been rookie running back James Robinson.
A Rockford native, Robinson holds the Illinois High School Association all-time career rushing record with 9,045 rushing yards at Rockford Lutheran from 2012 to 2015. He played college ball at Illinois State and, in something of an underdog story, went from undrafted rookie last spring to third in the NFL in rushing with 1,070 yards. Robinson has been the most consistent aspect of a struggling Jaguars offense. He's averaging 4.5 yards per carry on 240 carries and has scored seven rushing touchdowns. He has been the clear No. 1 option for Jacksonville - no other Jaguars running back has more than 17 carries. Robinson is also more than capable in the passing game with 49 catches for 344 yards and 3 touchdowns.