The Jaguars are off this week which should give them time to work a little bit on there passing game.  QB David Garrard has good numbers as he has completed 48 of 75 passes (64%) for 630 yards with 3 TD passes and 0 interceptions (103.8 QB Rating).  With numbers like that it’s puzzling as to why the Jags are only scoring 15.3 points per game.  The Jags really need one of their WRs to step up an be a go-to guy but it doesn’t look like anyone on the current roster is that type of receiver.  Dennis Northcutt has been the Jags leading receiver this season as he has caught 11 passes for 169 yards (15.4 avg) with 0 TDs.  The Jags would like last season’s leading receiver to live up to his ability (Reggie Williams) but he hasn’t come close to achieving the goal the team has for him.  He has caught 4 passes for 52 yards (13.0 avg) with 2 TD grabs. 

The defense has been outstanding for the Jaguars this season as they have only allowed 11.3 points per game.  The Jags have also cleaned up the run defense after getting sliced for 282 yards rushing by the Titans in the season opener.  In the last two games the Jags have allowed a combined 129 yards rushing.  The Jags are also unleashing an outstanding pass rush as they have 10 sacks already this season.

The Jaguars went on the road and took the fight to the Broncos in Denver yesterday.  David Garrard was very efficient running the offense as he hit 14 of 20 passes for 154 yards with 1 TD pass and 0 interceptions.  He also was elusive running with the football as he had 12 carries for 52 yards (4.3 ypc).  Old vet running back Fred Taylor was tough against the Broncos as he carried the ball 17 times for 84 yards (4.9 ypc).  Maurice Drew had another tough game as he carried the ball 15 times for 37 yards (2.5 ypc) and he also caught 2 passes for 18 yards.  TE Mercedes Lewis led the way in the passing game with 3 catches for 44 yards (14.7 avg).  WR Reggie Williams only caught 2 passes for 11 yards, but one of the receptions was a TD.  The Jaguars had possession of the football for 38:42 which really helped keep the defense rested and effective!  The Jags finished up with 186 yards on 47 carries (4.0 ypc) and they completed 14 of 20 passes for 140 yards.

The Jags defense was outstanding.  They took the Broncos out of their gameplan by shutting down the running game.  The Broncos only rushed for 47 yards on 18 carries (2.6 ypc).  Safety Sammy Knight made the game sealing interception and he had 4 tackles to lead the way on the inspired defensive effort.  The Jags also allowed the Broncos to completed 16 of 23 passes for 218 yards.  This was a huge win for the Jags on the road as they are now 2-1 on the season.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=270923007

Both of these football teams have good defenses as the Jaguars allow 299.0 yards per game and the Broncos allow 218.5 yards per game.  The Jaguars will attempt to get their running game back on track against the Broncos who have problems stopping the run as they allow 156.0 yards rushing and 5.1 yards per carry.  With that in mind look for Fred Taylor (72 yards rushing), Maurice Drew (63 yards rushing) and David Garrard (47 yards) to challenge the Broncos linebackers early and often in this football game.  Still, the Jaguars will have to throw the ball a little bit or the Broncos will bring an 8th man in the box to stop the run.  Garrard (101.8 QB Rating) has thrown the ball well but none of his receivers will likely get open against Dre’ Bly and Champ Bailey.  The Broncos are only allowing 62.5 yards passing and a QB rating of 38.2 against!

The Broncos will also try to run the football a lot against the Jags defense which is allowing 182.0 yards rushing per game and 4.9 yards per carry!  Travis Henry (267 yards rushing, 5.4 ypc) has to be licking his chops for a chance to attack the Jags defense, but the Jags defense is much better than they have shown so far this season.  The problem for the Jags is that the Broncos can also throw the ball.  WRs Javon Walker (220 yards), Brandon Marshall (134 yards) and Brandon Stokley (108 yards) have all had good starts catching passes from Jay Cutler.  Still, the Jags haven’t allowed a TD pass this season and they have sacked the QB 9 times already.

PREDICTION:  I think both teams will be able to run the football.  So, the tiebreaker could be which team has more success throwing the football.  With that in mind I will take the Broncos by a field goal in a low scoring football game.

David Garrard’s numbers look good so far this season but the Jags have only scored 23 points so far this season.  Garrard has completed 34 of 55 passes (61.8%) for 476 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 interceptions (101.8 QB Rating) and he also has carried the football 9 times for 47 yards (5.2 ypc).  Garrard needs to get better at passing on third downs to keep drives alive when teams know the Jags are going to throw the football.  His job would be a little bit easier if the Jags were able to run the ball like they did last season as they are only averaging 94.0 yards rushing per game this season.  Also, the Jags need someone to step up in the receiving corps to be the main man.  They haven’t had one of those since Jimmy Smith was playing a couple of seasons ago.

Starting strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh will likely undergo season-ending shoulder surgery soon.  His season will end with 3 tackles and a fumble recovery.  He will be replaced by veteran Sammy Knight who is off to a good start to his Jaguars career with 12 tackles already this season.