2nd year WR Mike Walker teased the Jags a couple of weeks ago with a big game but he’s not likely to play tomorrow as his knee is barking again.  Walker has caught 12 passes for 161 yards (13.4 avg) so far this season and he appears to have a very solid upside if he can just stay in one piece.

This should be one of the best football games of the day as the Jaguars are now a desperate team at 2-3 and the Broncos are 4-1 and want to keep rolling along.  The Jaguars will get back to the basics in this game by running the football often against a Broncos’ defense that is allowing 134.0 yards rushing per game and 5.2 yards per carry.  Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew have both had so-so starts to the season but that should start to change today.  Also, don’t be surprised if David Garrard takes off out of the pocket often.  If the Jaguars O-Line gives Garrard time to throw the ball (13 sacks) then he should have some success against a Broncos’ D that is allowing 254.4 yards passing per game (105.4 QB Rating).

The Broncos will be without RB Selvin Young and TE Tony Scheffler who both have groin injuries but that shouldn’t stop the Broncos’ high flying offense.  The Broncos want to throw the ball to get the lead and then grind out a win on the ground.  The Broncos’ offensive line has only allowed 2 sacks this season so Jay Cutler should have some success throwing the ball as long as he’s careful when throwing the ball in CB Rashean Mathis’ direction.  Still, look for Cutler to spread the ball around to Brandon Stokley, Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal in the passing game.  Andre Hall and Michael Pittman will probably split carries for the Broncos against the Jaguars this week and they could have some success against a Jags’ defense that is allowing 106.8 yards rushing per game and 4.2 yards per carry.

PREDICTION:  JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 27, DENVER BRONCOS 24

The Jaguars were real lucky to even be in this game when you look closer at the numbers.  The Steelers stuffed the Jaguars vaunted rushing game holding them to only 38 yards rushing on 19 carries (2.0 ypc).  With the lack of running it forced the Jags’ out of their comfort zone on offense as it forced David Garrard to throw the ball more than they wanted him to.  He completed 18 of 32 passes for 200 yards with a 24-yard TD pass in the 4th quarter to TE Mercedes Lewis.  2nd year WR Mike Walker also had a really solid game as he finished with 107 yards receiving on 6 grabs (17.8 avg).  The Jaguars finished up with only 213 yards on offense in this game.

The only highlight on defense in this game for the Jags was right at the start when CB Rashean Mathis intercepted a pass and returned it 72 yards for a TD.  The Steelers finished up with 129 yards rushing on 26 carries (5.0 ypc) and they also completed 26 of 41 passes for 286 yards.  The Jaguars are now 2-3 on the season with this loss.

The Steelers might be 3-1 this season but they have not played well overall as the offensive line stinks.  The Jaguars have beaten the Steelers four straight times including knocking the Steelers out of last year’s playoffs on there own field.  The Steelers will try to come out throwing the football in this game as the Jags will be without Reggie Nelson and Drayton Florence.  Still, for any of the passing to work for the Steelers the line has to protect Ben Roethlisberger better as he has been sacked 15 times already this season.  The Steelers love to run the football but I doubt that they have any success on the ground against a very physical Jaguars’ D.

The Jaguars also have issues along the O-Line as David Garrard has been sacked 10 times this season.  Look for the Jags to put the ball in Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew’s hands despite the Steelers allowing only 74.0 yards rushing and 2.9 yards per carry.  Matt Jones is having a breakout season so he will be the likely target when Garrard drops back to throw the ball. 

PREDICTION:  JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 27, PITTSBURGH STEELERS 17

The Jaguars will be without safety Reggie Nelson (11 tackles) and CB Drayton Florence (12 tackles) for Sunday Night’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and it could hurt them.  Gerald Sensabaugh (18 tackles, interception) and William James (7 tackles) will be the replacements starting against Pittsburgh and the Steelers will likely target both of them often in the passing game.