JACKSONVILLE – As matchups go, they get no tougher.

The Jaguars at 2-8 have faced multiple tough circumstances in a difficult 2024 season. Up next: A team with a seven-game winning streak, on the road – a really good team that may be the Super Bowl favorites. This may be the Jaguars' most-daunting task of the season.

Yes, the Detroit Lions are that tough.

The Jaguars will play the NFC North-leading Lions (8-1) at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich., Sunday afternoon – which means all the impressive guts, grit and will the Jaguars have shown while losing three consecutive close games will be tested significantly in their fourth game in as many weeks against an NFC contender.

The Lions are tough. They're physical. They run well. They are opportunistic and physical defensively. They play to that tough, physical identity – and they have developed a resiliency that they showed by rallying from a 16-point halftime road deficit to beat the AFC South-leading Houston Texans Sunday night.

The Jaguars, meanwhile, are struggling and continuing to lose close games in the final minutes. They're close, but close in the NFL can wear a team down – particularly a team essentially out of the postseason.

In a season of tough tests for the Jaguars, this therefore might be the toughest.

Here are 10 things the Jaguars must do to pass:

1. Play their best game of the season. The Jaguars have needed to do this multiple times this season. This Lions team is good enough the Jaguars can play their best game of the season and still not get the desired result. They're that good.
2. Slow the run. The Lions run well. It's their identity. They are a rare team that can continue to run and be effective even down double digits. The Jaguars probably aren't going to dominate this area. But they must get enough early-down stops to force a few long-down situations for turnover opportunities.
3. Force turnovers. The Jaguars haven't done this nearly consistently enough this season, but intercepting quarterback Sam Darnold three times kept them competitive against the very good Minnesota Vikings last Sunday. They may need a similar number of takeaways to stay close Sunday. Lions quarterback Jared Goff threw five interceptions against Houston. He won't throw that many Sunday, but the Jaguars need to force one or two to have a chance.
4. Protect the quarterback. This will be backup quarterback Mac Jones for the Jaguars for a second consecutive week. He struggled mightily against the Vikings. You don't want your backup quarterback throwing under pressure too much to a receiver corps that's without veteran Christian Kirk. Particularly after a rough game.
5. Get the ball to BTJ. Rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is the Jaguars' best receiver. He has been targeted seven times in the last two weeks, catching four passes for 34 yards and no touchdowns. Forcing passes to one player regardless of the defensive look is a recipe for interceptions and this Jaguars offense is best when passes go to the single-covered or open receiver. But Thomas still needs to get more opportunities.
6. Protect the ball. The Jaguars committed turnovers on the last three possessions against the Vikings. It's hard to imagine the Jaguars staying close Sunday if they have more than one giveaway. Lions safeties Brian Burns and Kerby Joseph may be two of the NFL's best at their position. If Jones gives them a chance, they'll take advantage.
7. Score off a takeaway. The Jaguars' three takeaways against the Vikings saved points, coming deep in their own territory. Those were good and kept them in the game. They probably need points-producing takeaways Sunday.
8. Start fast. The Jaguars' NFL-high streak of games without a first-drive touchdown has reached 15. Their second-drive touchdown against the Vikings was their first first-quarter touchdown since Week 4. It's very, very hard to win in the NFL always trying to erase deficits.
9. Attack. This is the defensive philosophy of first-year defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen. Attack. Be aggressive. Nothing cheap, nothing deep. The Jaguars must channel that Sunday against a capable, dangerous offense. Keep it going.
10. Be physical. Be very physical. The Lions expect to dominate any game they play. The Jaguars haven't run consistently well in short-yardage and they haven't been great on the interior of the defensive line. Those two areas must be better than normal for the Jaguars to win Sunday.