Jags Big Obstacle for Patriots
Belichick, New England's Playoff Experience Will Lift Them to 17-0
Jacksonville's power running game will challenge Patriots in AFC Divisional showdown. But New England's record-setting Tom Brady and Randy Moss will prove too much.
When last we saw them, the New England Patriots were capping a 16-0 campaign in becoming the first NFL team in 35 years to finish unbeaten during the regular season.
Pressure mounted as Bill Belichick’s record-setting squad pulled out three three-point victories during the final six weeks. But his battle-tested Pats persevered and received a much-need bye to refocus and re-energize in their chase for the franchise’s fourth Super Bowl title in seven years.
New England also resumes its quest of joining the 1972 Dolphins as the only teams in league history to finish a perfect season, which starts with tonight’s AFC Divisional showdown against fifth-seeded Jacksonville at Foxboro.
The hosts are 13-point favorites after setting numerous NFL team and individual offensive records behind quarterback and Most Valuable Player winner Tom Brady and rejuvenated wide receiver Randy Moss.
However, Jacksonville is arguably the most physical team in the league and disposed of the rugged Steelers for the second time at Pittsburgh in a four-game span in the wildcard round.
And they back it up with bravado, as evidenced by many of the comments coming out of Florida earlier this week, including those from cornerback Rashean Mathis: “We look forward to the challenge. We respect them a lot, but you give nobody too much respect. If you give anybody too much respect, that means you’re laying down to them. We’re laying down to no one.”
Pats offense vs. Jags defense
New England shattered Minnesota’s standard with 589 points as Brady directed the most prolific passing offense with an NFL record 50 touchdown passes and only eight interceptions. Moss hauled in 23 of those TDs, another record, among his 98 catches. Wes Welker tied for the top spot with 112 receptions, while Donte Stallworth added 46. The Pats also fielded the league’s No. 13 rushing attack behind three Pro Bowl linemen.
Jacksonville will have its hands full because tackle Marcus Stroud and linebacker Mike Peterson won’t be available.
Jags offense vs. Pats defense
Quarterback David Garrard was one of the league’s pleasant surprises in helping the Jags to an 11-5 finish. He tossed 18 scoring passes and was intercepted only three times, and he can beat foes with his legs, as his key fourth-down scamper late in the Pittsburgh contest proved.
The Jags have size at wide receiver, which should cause problems for New England’s secondary. However, Jacksonville’s bread and butter is its vaunted running game, the NFL’s No. 2 unit at 149.4 yards per game. It features the 1-2 punch of Fred Taylor (1,202 yards) and Maurice Jones-Drew (768 yards and nine TDs), a combination that presents the biggest obstacle for New England’s veteran stop troops.
Special teams
Jones-Drew is a breakaway threat on kickoff returns, but cornerback Ellis Hobbs gives New England the edge. Even though he made 12 of 13 field-goal tries, Josh Scobee missed most of the season, so the kicking advantage goes to Stephen Gostkowski and punter Chris Hanson.
Coaching
Bill Belichick’s teams are 13-3 in the postseason, while the Jags are 1-1 under Jack Del Rio. That includes a 28-3 loss to New England in 2005. So, the Pats’ immense postseason credentials provide a huge difference. And Jags’ defensive lineman Paul Spicer added bulletin board material in reference to his early-season comments about the Pats and spygate.
Prediction: New England sports a 12-game home winning streak including playoffs, is sending eight players to Honolulu for the Pro Bowl and earned five first-team All-Pro nods. That talent will carry the Pats to another home date, the AFC Championship game.
