Football - EFS
NFL Games of the Week- Playoff Week2
By Jimmy Ng and Thomas Cool
Jan 11, 2008, 16:20

Jacksonville Jaguars vs New England Patriots (TC)

Jacksonville Offense

The Jaguars are built around a ball control offense that features the RBBC two headed monster of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew and a strong defense. Of all the teams in the Playoffs this is the one team perhaps best suited to controlling the ball and keeping Brady and his offense off the field. Both those RB's will have to be productive in order for the Jaguars to win. In addition, QB David Garrard will have to be efficient and play like the QB he was during the regular season when he only threw three INT's rather than the one who threw 2 INT's last week. The WR's on this team must make plays, in particular they must convert third downs when needed. None of these guys are threats to take the ball to the house, although Reggie Williams has displayed some YAC ability this season. TE Marcedes Lewis may have to have the game of his life too to keep the Pats LB's busy. The Jags offensive line has to manage the DL pressure from the Pats on long distance downs.

Jacksonville Defense

This defense needs DT John Henderson to play well, control the line of scrimmage and stop the run but also pressure T Brady. But the real key to this game from the defensive perspective is to pressure T Brady and cover the multiple WR sets. If the first one does not occur then the Jaguars will lose. The LB's may be the key- will they have to be used to pressure T Brady or can they be used to cover the WR zones?

Jacksonville Special Teams

Field position will be a key in this game, so the Punting and kick coverage teams will be essential. Look for MJD to return a couple of kickoffs in hopes that he can generate good field position.

New England Patriots Offense

The Pats enter this game as prohibitive favorites, but this is a very dangerous team they are playing. Recently the Pats have thrown the ball first to their myriad of WR's- including R Moss, W Welker, D Stallworth, etc- and then running the ball later. The weather at Foxboro may determine if this plan is followed again this week. RB L Maroney has gotten more productive lately, but the Pats will need him and Faulk this week for sure. TE may become a more integral part of the offense also. The Offensive Line must protect T Brady, this willl be a very difficult task against this defensive line.

New England Patriots Defense

The Pats are facing perhaps the best rushing offense in the league, better than the Steeler offense they faced a few weeks ago. The front seven have their work cut out for them in this game. IF the Jags can generate a consistent run game, they will try to run play action against the Pats defense. One other key for the Pats is to keep QB D Garrard contained in the pocket-if he gets loose he is a very good runner.

New England Patriots Special Teams

PK A Vinatieri is no longer here, so if a game winining kick is needed, can Gostkowski make it? E Hobbs may need to make some of his playoff magic like he did last offseason returning kicks.

Prediction

How can anyone predict the Pats will lose? That's a tough chore. Being at home with the weather likely to be cold, those are also factors in their favor. Plus Coach Belichick will undoubtedly scheme to stop the Jaguars run game. But if any team can upset the Pats this is the team to do it!

Jaguars 14
Patriots 20

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