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Jaguars vs. 49ers: 5 matchups to watch for San Francisco in Week 16

By Peter Panacy

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: #32 Kendall Hunter of the San Francisco 49ers attempts to break free during the NFL International Series game between San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on October 27, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: #32 Kendall Hunter of the San Francisco 49ers attempts to break free during the NFL International Series game between San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on October 27, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers prepares for the snap in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears 15-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers prepares for the snap in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears 15-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Jaguars Pass Rush

In case you haven’t noticed, the Jaguars have one of the most prolific front-seven defenses in the NFL this season. And their pass rush is good. Like, elite good.

Just check out the numbers from Pro Football Focus’ Jeff Deeney:

The above stats mean Jacksonville isn’t forced to blitz on passing downs, meaning a four-man rush is doing the job getting to the quarterback. Not surprisingly, the Jaguars’ 51 sacks on the year are the most in the NFL entering Week 16. And not having to use blitz packages to reach these totals tells you what you need to know.

Defensive linemen Calais Campbell, Yannick Ngakoue and Malik Jackson have either surpassed, or are flirting with, 10-plus sacks on the season.

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And with Football Outsiders ranking the 49ers offensive line ranked 19th in pass protection this year, this particular matchup is going to be vital.

Fortunately, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has shown the ability to make plays while under pressure. He’ll be under it frequently on Sunday, which makes the need for him to deliver the ball quickly and accurately a key focal point to watch.

Garoppolo is undefeated as a starter in his short NFL career. In order to keep it this way, he’ll have to effectively manage being under threat of the aforementioned pass-rushers in Jacksonville’s arsenal.

Next: 3 big challenges the 49ers will face in Week 16 vs. Jaguars

The 49ers and Jaguars kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET from Levi’s Stadium.