The Jaguars couldn’t get much going on offense yesterday and it killed them in the end.  David Garrard completed 17 of 28 passes for 165 yards with 1 interception.  He also carried the ball 6 times for 32 yards (5.3 ypc) against the Bills.  Fred Taylor led the Jags in rushing with 49 yards on 14 carries (3.5 ypc) yesterday.  Maurice Jones-Drew only had 17 yards rushing on 7 carries (2.4 ypc) with a TD run.  He also caught 3 passes for 25 yards (8.3 avg).  Matt Jones led the Jaguars in the passing game with 5 grabs for 50 yards (10.0 avg).  Reggie Williams pitched in with 4 passes for 36 yards in this game.  The Jaguars finished up with 98 yards rushing on 27 carries (3.6 ypc) and they also completed 17 of 28 passes for 145 yards. 

The Jaguars Defense gave a decent effort at least against the run.  CB Brian Williams and LB Mike Peterson led the way for the Jaguars with 8 tackles apiece.  The Bills only rushed for 75 yards on 26 carries (2.9 ypc), but, they also completed 20 of 25 passes for 210 yards.  The Jaguars are now 0-2 on the season.

The Jaguars pounded the Bills 36-14 in Jacksonville last season but both teams are coming into this game going in opposite directions as the Bills throttled the Seahawks 34-10 last week while the Jags were beaten 17-10 at Tennessee last week.  Last season RB Marshawn Lynch didn’t play against the Jags but he’s ready to go this week against a Jags’ defense that allowed 137 yards rushing to the Titans last week.  The Bills’ would like to run the ball but they will likely try to stay balanced on offense against the Jaguars.  Trent Edwards will likely have to be careful throwing the ball to Lee Evans as Rashean Mathis will likely draw him in coverage.  Jags’ safety Reggie Nelson better be ready to hit and defend TE Robert Royal who caught 6 passes for 52 yards (8.7 avg) with a TD grab against the Seahawks.

The Jaguars will likely have some trouble running their brand of offense due to injuries along the interior of the offensive line which caused them to allow 7 sacks and rush for only 33 yards (1.9 ypc) against the Titans last week.  With new starters at both guard slots, former Jags’ DT Marcus Stroud could have a huge game and that would be trouble.  Look for the Jags to attempt to run the ball on the perimeter of the Bills’ defense with Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor.  The Jags will also likely keep the passing game short to protect David Garrard.

PREDICTION:  BUFFALO BILLS 17, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 13

The Jacksonville Jaguars moved quickly to improve the depth of the offensive line as they have signed 31-year old OT Todd Wade, 28-year old OG Milford Brown and 30-year old OT Chad Slaughter.  Wade is a big guy at 6′8″, 308 pounds and he played in 11 games (10 starts) for the Redskins last season.  Wade has now played in 99 games (96 starts) in his 8-year NFL career.  Even though the Jags have a need at guard Wade isn’t a good fit inside.  6′5″, 330 pound Milford Brown, however, could get into the starting lineup in the near future for the Jags as long as he gets in playing shape quickly.  Brown played in 16 games (15 starts) for the Rams last season.  Brown has now played in 47 games (43 starts) in his 6-year NFL career.  Chad Slaughter is a huge man at 6′8″, 340 pounds but he hasn’t played since 2006 with the Raiders.  Slaughter has now played in 43 games (7 starts) in his six year NFL career.  These were good signings for the Jaguars as they needed bodies along the offensive line.

The Titans really beat up the Jaguars physically as they will have to play the rest of the 2008 season without their starting guards.  RG Maurice Williams has a torn biceps muscle and LG Vince Manuwai has a torn ACL.  Losing these two guys will definately hurt the inside running game of the Jaguars as backups Uche Nwaneri and Tutan Reyes will replace them. 

The Jaguars just couldn’t get anything going on offense in this game and it killed them.  David Garrard had a game he would like to forget as he completed 23 of 35 passes for 215 yards with 1 TD pass and 2 interceptions.  Fred Taylor led the Jags’ in rushing in this game with a whopping 18 yards on 9 carries (2.0 ypc).  Maurice Jones-Drew didn’t play much better as he carried the ball 5 times for 13 yards (2.6 ypc) and he also caught 4 passes for 37 yards (9.3 avg).  Matt Jones was the leading receiver in this game for the Jaguars with 80 yards on 6 catches (13.3 avg).  The Jaguars finished up with only 33 yards rushing on 17 carries (1.9 ypc) and they also completed 23 of 35 passes for 156 yards.

CB Brian Williams and DT John Henderson led a so-so effort by the Jags’ Defense with 8 tackles apiece in this football game.  The Titans finished up with 137 yards rushing on 32 carries (4.3 ypc) and they also completed 14 of 24 passes for 172 yards.  The Jaguars better pick it up next week as the Bills are visiting coming off a 34-10 victory over the Seahawks last week.