This game looks like a mis-match on paper.  The Jaguars have a hard-hitting intimidating defense and the Texans have been rendered one-dimensional on offense due to a lack of a running game.  The Jaguars have a solid offense and the Texans have one of the worst defenses in the NFL.

The Jaguars should pretty much be able to do whatever they want on offense against a Texans defense that allows 145.8 yards rushing per game and 273.0 yards passing per game.  Look for the Jags to come out running with their two-headed running back.  Fred Taylor will beat them up (367 yards rushing) and then Maurice Jones-Drew will run around them (177 yards rushing).  Look for Leftwich to start throwing the ball after they establish a running game, spreading the ball around to Reggie Williams, George Wrighster, Matt Jones and Ernest Wilford.  Leftwich also likes to throw to his backs once in awhile.

The Texans must be able to run the ball, or this game will get ugly soon.  Ron Dayne needs to step up (167 yards rushing, 2.9 ypc) or Wali Lundy or Samkon Gado will take his job.  If the Texans can’t run the ball against the stout run defense of the Jags (92.2 yards rushing per game, 3.5 ypc), then David Carr will have to throw against one of the best secondaries in the NFL.  Carr does have two great receivers in Andre Johnson (39 rec, 485 yards) and Eric Moulds (22 rec, 274 yards), but he will have to be careful as the Jags already have 9 interceptions this season.  Carr must always know where CB Rashean Mathis is because he is a big-time playmaker that already has 4 interceptions of his own.

This looks like a complete mis-match.  All Coach Kubiak can hope for is that Coach Del Rio will show him some mercy in the second half.

This is a must-win game for both of these teams.  I know it’s early but neither team can afford to drop to 2-3 to start the season.

The Jets would like to be more balanced on offense, but it’s hard to do when you’re only averaging 3.0 yards per carry rushing the ball.  The Jags defense is tough against the run only allowing 82.3 yards rushing per game and 3.4 yards per carry.  The Jets bread and butter on offense is their passing game that is averaging 239.0 yards per game thru the air.  Chad Pennington is looking great so far this season (1,015 yards passing, 102.3 QB rating) and his receivers will test the Jaguars physical secondary.  WR Laveranues Coles (30 rec, 412 yards) and Jerricho Cotchery (18 rec, 284 yards) have had fine seasons so far, but Pennington will have to be aware where CB Rashean Mathis (4 INT) is at all times.

The Jets defense has been very bad this season (140.5 yards rushing, 237.8 passing) and the Jags should be effective doing whatever they want.  I have a feeling the Jags will lean more towards the run with Fred Taylor (256 yards rushing) and Maurice Drew (118 yards rushing).  WR Matt Jones will probably not play, so Ernest Wilford (13 rec, 147 yards) will need to step up so the Jets don’t double cover emerging WR Reggie Williams (21 rec, 243 yards).

My gut feeling tells me to take the Jags at home, but this team is pretty gritty so I’m not so sure.

This should be a slobber knocker!  Both of these teams prefer to run the football and have hard hitting defenses.

Look for the Jaguars to try to run the ball against the Redskins.  Look for Fred Taylor to pound the ball (240 yards) for awhile and then Maurice Drew changing up with his speed (115 yards).  If the Jags establish the run, then Leftwich will come after the Redskins secondary with his young WRs.  Reggie Williams (150 yards), Matt Jones (144 yards) and Ernest Wilford (117 yards) have done well so far this season.

The Redskins also would like to run the football with Ledell Betts (186 yards) and Clinton Portis (125 yards).  This is a battle of strengths as the Skins average 143.3 yards per game rushing and the Jags only allow 59.0 yards rushing per game.  Look for Brunell to throw alot of short passes, but he better be careful because opposing QB’s only have a 54.5 QB rating against the Jaguars.

This should be a great football game that could go either way.

The winner of this game will have a leg up in the AFC South.  These two teams are so different in style that this should be a fascinating game.

Look for the Jaguars to run a balanced attack against a Colts defense that can’t stop anyone.  Fred Taylor (236 combined yards rushing and receiving) should find alot of running room against the awful front 7 of the Colts.  The Colts are allowing 147 yards rushing per game and 5.8 yards per carry!  Byron Leftwich should also have a great game against a Colts passing defense that is allowing a 70% completion rate and a 113.6 opponents’ QB rating.  Young WRs Reggie Williams, Matt Jones and Ernest Wilford could be running free in the open field.

The Colts will try to run the ball to keep their horrid, over-rated defense off the field.  The problem with that is that the Jags only allow 57 yards rushing per game and 3.2 yards per carry.  Peyton Manning has been great as usual and he might have to have another super game to outscore the Jags.  WRs Marvin Harrison (240 yards) and Reggie Wayne (202 yards) will face a stiff challenge from the Jags corners, especially Rashean Mathis who already has 3 interceptions this season.

I look for the Colts to win a close game, but would not be surprised if the Jags won this game.

It seems as if Ben Roethlisberger is going to start this game.  He could be rusty, so look for the Steelers to lean heavily on their running game.  The problem with that is the Jaguars have a very good front 7 on defense, and it could be a rough go for Willie Parker.  The Jaguars did give up 235 yards passing last week to the Cowboys…..but the Jags also had 3 pick-offs so Roethlisberger will have to be careful with the football.

Byron Leftwich led a furious comeback last week with his right arm.  The Jags will throw first to open up running lanes for Fred Taylor.  The whole game for the Jaguars could come down to how well they handle the blitz that the Steelers are sure to bring.  If the Jags pick it up well, they should be very effective throwing the football.

These are two evenly matched teams that will put on a good show for Monday Night Football.