When the Colts have the Ball: Marvin Harrison and Joseph Addai should be back in the lineup, which just gives Peyton Manning a few more targets. Look for Manning to attack the Jaguars’ safeties all night — especially rookie Reggie Nelson. Of course, he can only do that if his line keeps the pass rush off him; the Jags are averaging 3.0 sacks per game. That defense is also allowing only 96.4 rushing yards per game, so Addai might get more touches in the passing game.

When the Jaguars have the Ball: Well, running the ball seemed to work pretty well last time. I have a hunch, though, that the Colts will put 8 or 9 in the box to try and prevent Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor from having a repeat performance. If that’s the case, it’ll be up to David Garrard to open things up with the pass. We might be seeing Reggie Williams and Dennis Northcutt trying to jump over guys as often as Jones-Drew tries to run over people.

The Edge: This will all come down to the Colts defense. Every one of those 375 rushing yards is still fresh in their memory. They will do everything in their power to avoid a repeat performance, especially in the same place where it happened last season. If the Colts stop the run, it’s Peyton Manning vs. David Garrard — which might as well be Manning vs. Jeff Garcia, and we saw how that turned out.

Players to Watch:

1.) Brad Meester. The Jaguars’ center had an immediate positive impact on the Jags’ running game as soon as he returned to the lineup from injury. He’ll be just as crucial to the Jags’ offense as Jones-Drew and Taylor.

2.) Freddy Keiaho. The Colts’ linebacker is coming off a slight concussion, and he’ll need to do a hell of a lot more than Cato June did last year against those Jacksonville rushers.

3.) Reggie Nelson. The Jaguars’ rookie safety is going to get picked on in this game, and with guys like Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne sure to run his way, he’ll need to earn his money in this one.

4.) Dallas Clark. He’s become one of Manning’s favorite targets lately. If he has a big game, the Jags may find themselves having to match the Colts score for score. Not too many teams can do that.

5.) Maurice Jones-Drew. Duh.

Notes:

You may have noticed me write a bit about the Jags’ struggles to sell enough tickets to avoid the dreaded local TV blackout. They haven’t had to worry about that this week. As soon as the Jags hammered the Texans, fans bum rushed the ticket office, and this game sold out early in the week.

Also selling well this week in Jacksonville? Fresh tomatoes. Clearly, there are a few people in Jacksonville who want to get a clear shot at Tony Kornheiser. Good luck with that.

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