Week 6 is shaping up to be an interesting week, following a recent trade that hopes to bolster the Jacksonville Jaguars' secondary against the potent passing attack of the Seattle Seahawks. Each week seems to bring a bigger challenge for the Jags. Somehow, after beating the Kansas City Chiefs, this one feels even more important.
Though it looks like defensive end Travon Walker will be suiting up, Sam Darnold is playing excellent football, and the Seahawks' run defense is top-tier. Here are some interesting storylines to watch this Sunday.
Will Travis Etienne Jr. be able to run the ball?
The Seattle Seahawks' defense boasts the third-lowest rushing yards per game allowed at only 83, while the Jaguars are fifth-best offensively, averaging 137 yards per game. What fans expected to be a running back by committee approach has quickly turned into the Travis Etienne Jr. show. He's averaging 5.8 yards per carry and 88 yards per game.
Head coach Liam Coen is going to want to pound the ball on the ground, and while Bhayshul Tuten will get his share of carries, the rushing game is going to run through No. 1. Sports Illustrated' Ryan Gilbert points out just how hungry Etienne will be this Sunday.
"Etienne will be looking to bounce back from his worst game of the season against the Chiefs," Gilbert writes. "He only carried the ball 12 times for 49 yards on Monday night and did not score as he looked for a touchdown in his third straight game."
The question: Can Etienne and the offensive line continue to run even when everyone expects them to? Sunday might be the biggest test against Coen's rushing attack all season.
Related: Jaguars may have just uncovered the breakout player nobody saw coming
Can Trevor Lawrence continue to come through for the Jaguars?
It's no secret that Trevor Lawrence hasn't played his best football this year. To be fair, he's on his third head coach in five years and is adjusting to yet another new offensive scheme. Yet the Jaguars are 4-1, and at times it feels like they're playing well despite No. 16 rather than because of him.
Granted, Lawrence put the team on his shoulders last week against the Chiefs—and at least one of the turnovers wasn't his fault. The question? Can he do it again, especially if Seattle is able to take away the ground game?
How will the Jaguars use Greg Newsome II?
James "Trade 'em while you got 'em" Gladstone made something of a surprise trade when he offloaded the cap-heavy and underperforming Tyson Campbell for Cleveland Browns' cornerback Greg Newsome II.
Personally, I love the move, and Gladstone seems to have a penchant for finding players who are imminently likable AND good at football. Just check out Newsome's first interview as a Jag. I mean, what's not the like?
Full interview: pic.twitter.com/7gUwiJT7I1
— Jamal St. Cyr (@JStCyrTV) October 10, 2025
The question, though, is whether Newsome can adjust to a short week in a new system. He seems incredibly smart, so I don't anticipate a steep learning curve, and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile seems like the perfect coach to put him in the right spot to take over a game. Coen has also hinted at Newsome's new role. Rest assured: We're all looking forward to seeing how the newest Jaguar plays.
Related:3 bold predictions for fiesty Jaguars team vs. Seahawks in Week 6
Final thoughts
The success of the Jacksonville Jaguars' ground game might be the deciding factor in this one. It drives how heavily they must push Trevor Lawrence, and getting a quick lead will also let newcomer Greg Newsome II keep his eyes on the quarterback and look to add to the defense's takeaways this year. It's going to be an interesting one.