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Last Sunday, the Jaguars were dominated by the Oakland Raiders. Don't pay attention to the 19-9 scoreline -- our running game was shut down and except for the final two drives of the game, the passing game was grounded.
But fantasy football doesn't care about actual, comprehensive, in-game performances. If you had a 20% completion percentage through three quarters, but then threw for 150 yards and two touchdowns in garbage time while your team still lost by 40, you didn't do too poorly.
That's what we're looking for when examining what Jaguars players should and shouldn't be in your lineup come Sunday. Who are the ones who can put up decent (and meaningless) numbers in Seattle? Let's find out...
Start 'Em
QB Chad Henne: I wasn't a believer last week... and, in fact, my opinion of Henne was supported through three-and-a-half quarters against the Raiders. But on the final two drives of the game, Henne rounded up 133 yards in the air and a touchdown, taking garbage time king to a whole new level. It was a one-possession game until midway through the third quarter, so the Jaguars still had reason to believe in a balanced approach on offense. My opinion? The Seahawks will be up by two possessions by the end of the middle of the first quarter and Henne will get plenty of attempts. He'll throw interceptions against a stacked Seahawks secondary, but he'll also get his yards and a score or two.
WR Cecil Shorts: As I said last week, Henne is the type of quarterback who decides early who his go-to receiver will be and just straight feeds him. I thought Shorts would be that guy for Henne and was he ever. Shorts was targeted on 14 of Henne's 37 throws, which is double what the second-most targeted receiver, Ace Sanders, saw. Shorts didn't get a touchdown, but he had eight receptions for 97 yards -- accounting for a solid game in points-per-receptions leagues. He'll see similar numbers this week, with perhaps a touchdown thrown in.
TE Clay Harbor: With Marcedes Lewis out for the third straight week, Jaguars offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch is going to be stretching what backups Clay Harbor and Allen Reisner can do to fill the void. I liked how resourceful Fisch was with the duo, using Harbor for screens and intermediate routes down the seam and Reisner in short out-routes. If there's going to be a tight end who's running longer routes and fed the ball, it'll be Harbor, so if your tight end situation looks bleak, you could do worse.
Sit 'Em
Any Jaguars receiver other than Shorts: The Seahawks have, arguably, the best secondary in the league. With Maurice Jones-Drew and Justin Forsett banged up and Jordan Todman not showing the brilliance he displayed in the preseason, the passing game will be the most likely to succeed on Sunday... and if the passing game is going to do anything, it'll be Henne-to-Shorts.
TE Allen Reisner: Reisner is the antithesis of Marcedes Lewis and Clay Harbor. He catches the ball and falls down. In two games, he's seen a handful of balls thrown his way, but his 8.0 YAC is lowest among starting tight ends. If you're lacking in the tight end department, go with Harbor, not Reisner.
D/ST Jaguars: Last week, I said the Jaguars defense was a reasonable substitute if your first-choice DST was up against the Broncos or Patriots. After all, they were facing an Oakland Raiders team that is prone to turnovers and has only a slightly less anemic offense than the Jaguars. Not this week. Seattle's offense is the best they'll face until October 13th when they travel to Denver. Oh, Jesus, Denver. Seattle absolutely buried San Francisco last week. Marshawn Lynch collected a hat trick of touchdowns and Russell Wilson only needed to drop back 19 times. The Seahawks showed they, not the 49ers, belong alongside Green Bay in the NFC Championship conversation.
More from Big Cat Country:
- Maurice Jones-Drew injury: Jaguars RB expected to play vs. Seahawks
- Which Seattle Seahawks player should Jacksonville Jaguars fans want?
- What Seattle Seahawks player is the Jaguars biggest concern?
- Week 3 NFL odds 2013: Jaguars massive underdogs to Seahawks
- 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Jaguars take Teddy Bridgewater