The Philadelphia Eagles take a brand-new offensive line to London this weekend for a Week 5 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and that unit’s battle in the trenches is the biggest storyline in the game. Jordan Mailata, Willie Lampkin, Drew Kendall, Tyler Steen, and Markel Bell will line up against a first-place Jaguars team that sits at 3-1 after going 13-4 last season. I would have bet millions of dollars that this would not be the Eagles’ offensive line in Week 5. But here we are. You adapt, you adjust, and you find a way.

Liam Coen has done a great job in Jacksonville. The offense hasn’t been the reason, though.

Jaguars’ defense is the real problem for Philly

Let’s call it how it is. The Jaguars’ offense has been average. Jacksonville ranks 11th in rushing yards per game and 19th in passing yards per game. Give Trevor Lawrence credit, because he isn’t putting the ball in harm’s way the way he used to. He’s taking what defenses give him and keeping a steady rhythm. That’s about it, though, and the Jags haven’t topped 360 yards in a single game.

The defense is a different story. Jacksonville is second in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game and fifth in third-down percentage allowed. The Eagles went 0-of-12 on third down last week. That is a brutal combination.

On top of that, the Jaguars have 10 sacks in four games. Travon Walker, Josh Hines-Allen, Arik Armstead, and that linebacker group are moving all over the chessboard, showing disguises, and keeping offenses off balance. And maybe the biggest stat of them all? Jacksonville leads the NFL in takeaway differential with six interceptions and two forced fumbles. That’s how you live on short fields.

So how does a group of newcomers and young guys hold up against that front? That’s the question.

There is a crack in the armor. Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals piled up 437 yards against Jacksonville last week. The Jags still forced a couple of takeaways, but they gave up plenty of yardage. They rank second-best in rushing yards allowed and second-worst in passing yards allowed. That points to one thing for Philly. This is probably going to be another game where Jalen Hurts has to go superhero mode. And yes, everybody will blame him if he throws a couple of picks along the way. With this many injuries, though, carrying the offense might be the only path to a win unless this turns into a 13-10 slugfest.

Eagles’ injury report makes everything harder

Wednesday’s injury report listed Zack Baun, Dallas Goedert, Fred Johnson, and Quinyon Mitchell as limited. Getting Goedert back would be massive. I’m hoping Mitchell can go and Baun can return, because the Eagles are clawing for anything they can get right now.

Saquon Barkley probably isn’t going to play, and DeVonta Smith likely misses another game. Jihaad Campbell (knee), Marcus Epps (groin), and Jonathan Greenard (ankle) didn’t practice. Even Drew Kendall popped up on the report, and I have no idea where that came from. If Kendall can’t go, what’s the plan? Lampkin at center and Micah Morris at guard? If that happens, the Eagles are in deep trouble.

This is a game where coaching has to elevate you. So far, I’d call the Eagles’ coaching a deficiency, not a strength. Defensively, I trust Vic Fangio to do Vic Fangio things, like he did for most of last week’s game until the fourth quarter. I don’t see the Jags scoring more than 30. The problem is whether Philly can score at all.

The third key is takeaways. Jacksonville’s defense puts its offense in great spots and strains opposing defenses with every turnover. If the Eagles steal one in a big moment, it could change the whole landscape of this game. Can they actually do it, though?

Final prediction: Eagles vs. Jaguars

The Jaguars know the Eagles’ backs are against the wall. Expect a steady diet of blitzes and disguises aimed straight at Hurts behind that new line. Jacksonville’s defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile also coached in Green Bay in 2024 when Sean Mannion was there, so there’s some familiarity on that side of the ball too.

Look at where Philly stands. Lane Johnson is gone, Cam Jurgens is gone. The offensive line is completely revamped. The Jags lead the league in takeaways and are one of the best in the NFL at getting off the field on third down. Then pile on the injury report and a London time shift that can throw off anybody’s mental clock.

The best-case scenario? The offensive line actually looks formidable for once and the run game gets going. But with Will Shipley carrying the load, I just don’t know if Philly has enough. Jalen Hurts will have to extend drives, make plays with his legs, and maybe take a few risks.

I think the Eagles keep it close and Fangio holds his own, but the Jaguars are healthier and more structured right now. Jags win 26-18.