Week 1 Preview: Washington Commanders vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Two quarterbacks are desperate to prove themselves in a matchup between the Washington Commanders and Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday in Week 1. Washington's newly acquired passer Carson Wentz will duke it out with the Jaguars' former first overall pick Trevor Lawrence in an inter-conference tilt that the Commanders are 2.5-point favorites to win.

The Commanders traded for Wentz after he fell out of favor with the Colts last year. The acrimony between Wentz and the Colts crested last year with a devastating regular-season finale that saw the team lose to the division rival Jaguars in a massive upset that cost the Colts a spot in the playoffs. The Jaguars entered that game ludicrous 15-point underdogs with a meagre two wins to their credit and completely dismantled the Colts, winning 26-11. Wentz will look to exorcise his demons and makeup for a performance in which he turned the ball over twice and took six sacks.

The Jaguars will have their own demons to put behind them. After a disastrous one-year stint under Urban Meyer, the Jags hired former Super Bowl-winning coach Doug Pederson this offseason in the hopes that he could do for Lawrence what he once did for Wentz, who nearly won MVP for the Eagles in 2017 under Pederson. Lawrence struggled last year despite a predraft hype train that declared him an all-time prospect, but after a free agency spending spree landed him help at receiver and offensive line, the Jaguars hope their young quarterback can rebound and quickly join the league's elite.

The Washington Commanders host the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday in Week 1.