Lions at Jaguars -- Week 9

Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fla. (grass, outdoors)

When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox)

Spread: Lions by 4

Forecast: Temperature in the low 80s, scattered clouds and a light breeze

Records: Jaguars (Overall: 1-6, AFC South 1-1); Lions (3-4 overall, NFC North 0-2)

Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Nov. 9, 2008: Jaguars 38, Lions 14; Nov. 14; 2004: Jaguars 23, Lions 17 (OT). Series record: Jaguars hold a 3-1 advantage.

What matters: The Jaguars are playing better, even if their record doesn’t indicate it. Something clicked after their Week 6 bye. After being completely overmatched in several early season contests, the Jaguars lost a 26-23 overtime heartbreaker at Oakland in Week 7 and outplayed Green Bay last week in many phases before falling 24-15. The offense, even without star RB Maurice Jones-Drew (foot), is showing some signs of life. The defense stil isl inconsistent, but it was resilient against the Packers last week, holding QB Aaron Rodgers to a season-low 186 yards passing. The next step is to turn that improvement into some wins.

Who matters: QB Blaine Gabbert played perhaps the best game of his career against the Packers, completing 27 of 49 attempts (55.1 percent) for 303 yards and a TD. He hasn’t thrown an INT since before the bye week and he’s looking more and more in command of the offense. That’s a big step for a player many wanted benched after he threw two INTs in a 41-3 loss to Chicago in Week 5. He’s been getting a lot of help from second-year WR Cecil Shorts, who has emerged as the Jaguars’ top WR. After making just eight receptions through the first five games, Shorts has 12 grabs for 195 yards and a TD in the past two games.

Key matchups: He hasn’t put up the eye-popping numbers that some projected, but Detroit WR Calvin Johnson (41 catches, 638 yards, TD) is on the mind of Jacksonville’s secondary this week. Though he’s been resting his knee and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday, the Jaguars expect him to play -- and play well. It’s hard to say who will draw the responsibility of covering him due to the rash of injuries in the secondary. If Derek Cox (back) can go, expect him to get a shot at covering him.

Injuries of note: Jones-Drew is officially out, while Cox is questionable. As many as three secondary starters could sit out this game. CB Rashean Mathis (groin) is questionable and S Dwight Lowery (ankle) is out. WR Laurent Robinson (concussion) returned to practice this week and has a decent shot to play after sitting out all of October.

Inside stuff: Run defense is one area the Jaguars have shown immense improvement. The Jaguars were giving up 163 yards per game on the ground through the first five weeks, but they’ve given up an average of just 67.5 yards the past two weeks. Look for that trend to continue with the Lions bringing in the 22nd-best rushing offense (971. ypg) in the league.

Connections: WR Mike Thomas will look strange wearing a Detroit Lions jersey. That’s because he was playing for the Jaguars last week. Jacksonville traded him to Detroit early this week for a fifth-round pick in 2014.

Stats you should know: The Lions are averaging 310.4 passing yards per game, while the Jaguars give up 251.3 through the air.…The little things killed the Jaguars last week at Green Bay. They dropped nine passes, had a punt blocked and fumbled in the red zone….RB Rashad Jennings doesn’t put up rushing numbers Jones-Drew normally does, but he’s making up for it with catches out of the backfield. Though he’s only run for 103 yards the past two games, he’s added 114 receiving yards.

Looking ahead: The Jaguars dive into a three-game stretch against AFC South foes starting next Thursday night against the Colts. They then travel to Houston on Nov. 18 before returning home to face the Titans on Nov. 25.

Prediction: Lions 30, Jaguars 28

For more Jaguars news and analysis, follow Daniel Lewis @CBSJags.