Jaguars at Buccaneers: The Battle for Florida

Filed under: Buccaneers, Jaguars, AFC South, NFC South, Tampa Bay

To get you ready for week 8, FanHouse is previewing all this week’s NFL games. Here is your Jacksonville Jaguars at Tampa Bay Buccaneers preview.

2007 Records:

Jacksonville Jaguars: 4-2 (3rd in AFC South)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 4-3 (2nd in NFC South)

Last Game(s):

Colts 29, Jaguars 7
Lions 23, Buccaneers 16

Last Meeting:

November 30, 2003. Jaguars 17, Buccaneers 10.

When the Jaguars have the Ball: We haven’t heard anything about Maurice Jones-Drew’s knee, which he reportedly sprained at the end of that Monday night drubbing the Colts gave them, so he should team up with Fred Taylor to power the Jags’ running game. They should run a lot in this one, too. The Bucs are giving up 123 rushing yards per game. Plus, David Garrard could be out for a month, and Quinn Gray’s passing frightens children.

When the Buccaneers have the Ball: Jeff Garcia’s passing, on the other hand, frightens opponents. It has to do that, because Earnest Graham and Michael Bennett frighten no one, even though they combined for 114 yards against Detroit. The Jaguars’ defense will attempt to put a lot of pressure on Garcia and force him to throw his first interception of the season.

The Edge: Both these offenses are one-sided because of injuries, but losing Garrard hurts the Jaguars more than losing Cadillac Williams and Michael Pittman hurts the Bucs. Jacksonville is extremely vulnerable with a bad QB back there. Garcia is mobile, which makes him a moving target, and the Jags’ secondary is still beatable. If the Jaguars can’t pressure the QB and force turnovers — which they can do against any team not based in Indianapolis — Tampa Bay will win this game.

Players to Watch:

1.) Quinn Gray. Another repeat of that Monday night horror show, and we’ll be talking about Todd Freaking Bouman filling in until Garrard gets back.

2.) Earnest Graham. His poor showing against the Titans — who did a pretty good job shutting down Taylor and Jones-Drew — forced the Bucs to trade for Michael Bennett, but he’s looked better against other opponents. Which Graham will show up here?

3.) Reggie Hayward and Bobby McCray. The Jags’ defensive ends will be crucial in both putting pressure on Garcia and putting Earnest Graham and Michael Bennett in their place.

4.) Cato June. His former team may have exorcised the nightmare that was last year’s Colts-Jags game, but has June? Would Taylor and Jones-Drew try to run it down his throat again?

Notes:

Given the disaster that is the Miami Dolphins this year, is it safe to say that this game will determine the state champion? Or would Tim Tebow destroy both of them with one hand tied behind his back? More importantly, does the Jags’ decision to pass on Brady Quinn in the draft loom a little large right now?

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