More photos » by John Russell - AP

6 days ago: Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio looks up at the scoreboard in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. (AP Photo/John Russell)

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All through the bye week, the sentiment was that this 3-3 was radically different from the 3-3 record the 2008 Jaguars posted. This team's arrow is pointing up, last year's was down. Despite having the same record, it was clear these were two very different teams.

However, a similar challenge lay ahead for both teams. In 2008, the Jaguars were to play the win less Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns. It seemed simple enough, win those two games, along with a trip to Detroit, and the ship is righted. In 2009, the Jaguars had to go to winless Tennessee and then come home to play the 1-6 Chiefs. Win those two games and at 5-3, we could officially say this team was a real contender.

In 2008, a disaster occurred. The team went up to Cincinnati and proceeded to lay an egg that would even make a Kiwi cry in pain. It was the de facto last game for Mike Peterson, the player who perhaps embodied all the positive qualities of the Jack Del Rio era. That was followed by another loss to Cleveland, and everyone knows the rest of that story.

This year, the Jaguars went to Nashville to take on an 0-6 Tennessee team that they had just beaten 37-17 a few weeks earlier. A win would've guaranteed the Jaguars a non-losing divisional record for the first time in years and set them up for a potential playoff run. Again, a massive egg was laid, though no one outside of Nashville and Northeast Florida noticed because of Brett Favre.

Once again the Jaguars were handed a seemingly golden opportunity and proceeded to give a collective "eh." Things like what happened on Sunday is why this town seems so apathetic towards this team. If it doesn't help itself, then why should the town help it?

What is it about this team that makes it always go the opposite of where you think it's going. Play well against the Colts, blown out by Arizona. Win back to back divisional games only to struggle since. It's simply maddening that this team can't be figured out week to week.

Whether it was the play-calling, the line play, the quarterback play,  things have to turn around somehow. I forgot who said it, but someone on this site described last year's scenario as "Test taken, test failed." Right now, the Jaguars are on the border between a D- and F. If they want a passing grade, they'll need to take care of business against the Chiefs.

-Jonathan Loesche

Since Wayne Weaver mentioned playing games in Orlando as a possibility, this one idea has been spinning in my head. I don't think I've seen it anywhere else, so I guess I'll claim it as my own.

What if the Jaguars and Buccaneers opened their respective preseasons against each other every year in Orlando, alternating which is the "home" team?

Both teams are having ticket sales issues, and the Buccaneers may be in the same boat as the Jaguars next year. Opening the preseason in Orlando would have the town buzzing as it would be the first football in months and serve as great marketing for both teams in the area.

More importantly, it allows the Jaguars to get into the hearts and minds of Orlando at the price of only one home game every two years.

What do you guys think?

More photos » by Phil Coale - AP

3 months ago: Jacksonville Jaguars head football coach Jack Del Rio, throws a pass during NFL training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, in Jacksonville, Fla.(AP Photo/Phil Coale)

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Since Jack Del Rio has become the head coach of the Jaguars, there have been ups and downs.

Winning at Green Bay only to follow it up with losing to the Texans.

Blowing out Indianapolis only to lose three straight.

2007 followed up by 2008.

These are issues that I outlined in a previous article of mine, Jack Del Rio on trial. Well, here is another chance for Del Rio to right the ship and get things going in a consistent positive direction. The Jaguars are coming off a 23-20 win against the Rams and have two more hapless teams coming up with games against Tennessee and Kansas City.

If the Jaguars are to be a playoff contender, or even show that progress is being made, they have to win these two games. These are two bad football teams that haven't been very competitive this season. This team is not being asked to beat Indianapolis and New England on the road in back to back weeks as it will be later in the season. Just to setup a possible playoff scenario, the Titans and Chiefs loom.

In addition, the Jaguars are 2-4 coming off the bye week under Del Rio. The bye week is usually considered a blessing for teams. A chance to rest and gain extra preparation for the upcoming opponent. However, it seems to be a curse for the Jaguars.

We've all heard the accusations that Del Rio is too lax, too much of a players coach, and just not cut out to be a head coach. Here is his chance to begin to change those perceptions. He is taking a young team on the road to face a bad team they already beat 37-17 once this season.

In all honesty, this is the kind of game you would expect the Jaguars to turn around and lose under Del Rio. They have the track record for it. Yet, I feel differently about this game and this team. This team has a sense of togetherness that I haven't seen in awhile and the amount of growth is already apparent.

If that growth is to continue, the Jaguars must have a 5-3 record heading into the Meadowlands in Week 10. The Jaguars must not let themselves look ahead to a match up that will certainly head major implications on the Wild Card race, because if they do they won't find themselves in it.

We all saw what happened against St.Louis, and the Jaguars may not be so lucky again. If they walk into Tennessee expecting a win, then we may have a repeat of the Rams game. If that happens and we don't have another gutsy performance from Garrard, then the magical season we've been hoping for is gone.

If this team walks into Tennessee prepared and wanting to quiet all of its doubters, we will see a repeat of what happened in Jacksonville in Week 4.

This is the kind of game everyone is expecting you to lose Jack. Do you really want us to say we told you so?

-Jonathan Loesche

More photos » by John Raoux - AP

Feel the power!

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Ok, I admit, I've stolen this from several other blogs. However, I think it's a good idea for no other reason then it gives us something to talk about. Here is where the media ranks the Jags right now.

SI.com: 20

If the Jaguars can go into Tennessee and keep the Titans' misery going for another week, then come back home and take care of business against the Chiefs in Week 9, I'd be willing to declare 5-3 Jacksonville the first half's most surprising winner. Alas, I'm getting ahead of the story. Let's let Jack's Jaguars do their thing first.

CBSSports:18

They come out of their bye week with a chance to get over .500 if they can beat the Titans. The Chiefs come to Jacksonville after that, so 5-3 is possible.

 

Walter Football:22

SBNation:21

Fox Sports:20

All three Jags fans should hang in there, because if their beloved team can avoid stumbling against the Titans and Chiefs the next two weeks, Jacksonville would be 5-3 heading into a trip to play the Jets in Week 10 with a chance for a signature victory to launch a possible playoff run.

Vic Ketchmen:21

Schedule is favorable.

ESPN:21

The newest challenge for a young, learning team: handling a rematch against a squad (Tennessee) it's already beaten. (Kuharsky)

National Average: 20

-John

More photos » by Stephen Morton - AP

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker catches a touchdown pass in the midst of a 37-17 Jaguars win in Week 4 that wasn't even as close as the final score.

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I have never really been concerned with the points spread of any game. It is cool to say your team won when it was a two touchdown underdog or say you're favored to win by 21, but in reality it's meaningless unless you have your livelyhood on the line. However, I'm going to make an exception for this Sunday's game. You read the header of the Game Preview correct, the Titans are a three point favorite against the Jaguars Sunday.

The Jaguars are a three point underdog to an 0-6 team

The Jaguars are a three point underdog to an 0-6 team they beat 37-17 a few weeks ago

The Jaguars are a three point underdog to an 0-6 team they beat 37-17 and the score was closer than the actual game

If there was ever bulletin board material, this is it. The respect card gets overplayed, but this is a genuine time to play it. It is clear the only thing people remember is the 41-0 loss to the Seahawks, well it's time to give them something more to think about.

-John

First, a quick mention to a fanpost cuffs made. Campbell's is once again partnering with the NFL in it's Click For Cans competition. Campbell's will donate over 18,000 cans of soup to local homeless shelters to the winning team. The Jaguars are 6-0 so far, let's keep it up. Please Click Here to Vote.

Now for our feature article

I'll give everyone a minute to read the headline once again. Maybe I've had too much time on my hands today, but I've come to this conclusion. I've haven't hid the fact I've supported the idea of the Jaguars playing in the London game next season. It would help with ticket sales by reducing the price of season tickets and generate buzz for the team in the national media that is normally reserved for Brett Favre, if just for a week.

The three "home" teams for the game have all been teams that have had ticket sales issues, and the Jaguars certainly fit that bill. Roger Goodell has made it clear he will do all he can to help make the situation in Jacksonville work, and this is something he could directly influence. It has been hinted that the Jaguars would be looking to playing in the game, and I'm sure the attendance this year will make that a certainty. One less home game means season ticket prices are slashed by $50 and they look that much more appealing. Heck, between the one less home game and a $5.50 reduction of ticket prices, season tickets could sell for $300 next year.

However, the London Game has firmly become the third most important date on the league's calendar, after the Super Bowl and Draft. If the Jaguars are going to play in it, the NFL will have to place them against a team that is going to draw casual fans and the ESPN talking heads with them. When looking for a possible team the Jaguars could face, I looked at the schedule with two criteria in mind #1. A name team that would bring attention to the game and #2. A team that still wouldn't bring enough fans to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium that would have the Jaguars shooting themselves in the foot and moving a sold out home game.

If the NFL keeps their current schedule rotating, the Jaguars' home schedule will be

1.AFC North

2.Houston

3.Indianapolis

4.Tennessee

5.Denver

6.Kansas City

7.Philadelphia

8.Washington

1. The Jaguars won't finish last in the AFC South, so that rules out the Browns. If the Jags draw the Steelers, then they definetly won't meet the second criteria. If they draw the Bengals or Ravens, neither team will meet the first.

2. Wouldn't draw much national attention

3. The Peyton Manning factor would be tempting, but the Colts have always been a big draw for the Jags so I can't see them moving that game.

4.Next......

5. If the Broncos keep up the pace they're going at, then this could be another intriguing match up for the NFL. While the Broncos aren't a name team, if they're coming off a 13-3 season they could draw well.

6. Next......

7. The two NFC games would be the most interesting for the NFL. First because FOX hasn't televised the game in two years, and second because they still might not help the Jaguars ticket situation. However, I think between the draw of a major team like the Eagles and enough Philly fans making the trip, the game stays in Jacksonville.

8. Which brings me to the Redskins. The Skins certainly spend enough time on ESPN to be well known, and we all know how much FOX loves to hype the NFC East. Some of you might say, but John, the last time the Redskins were in town was one of the last times we sold out the stadium before the tarps. I would like to remind everyone that their were 20,000 people wearing "Gatorskins" shirts are were there only to see Steve Spurrier. The Skins don't have the rabid fanbase as some other teams and I doubt enough fans would make the trip to North Florida.

Therefore, I reason that the London Game will be the Jaguars against the Redskins. It puts a premiere team in the biggest regular season game of the year and allows another team to ease it's ticket woes.

-Jonathan Loesche

More photos » by John Raoux - AP

20 days ago: Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis, right, is tackled by St. Louis Rams wide receiver Keenan Burton while returning an interception during the first half of an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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I wrote this blurb about the Jaguars' 2008 pass defense during a Scouting Report on Alphonso Smith

The Jaguars pass defense last year was well, not so good. The Jaguars ranked 24th in the NFL giving up 224 yard per game. Even more concerning, the Jaguars ranked 30th in yards per completion, giving up 8.1 yards per completion. The only other two teams to give up 8+ YPC in 2008? The Rams and the Lions. The Jaguars gave up 55 pass plays of 20 + yards and 17 plays of 40 plus yards, ranking 31st and 32nd in those respective categories. Translation: The Jaguars gave up alot of big plays through the air. Not the news you want to hear in a conference defined by big game quarterbacks.

I singled out those measurements because I felt those gave the best indication of how poor the Jaguars pass defense was last year. As I mentioned last night on the radio show, the two stats that jumped out to me the most were the number of 20+ and 40+ yard passing plays the Jaguars allowed last year. The Jaguars gave up between three to four big plays through the air a game, with one of those going for 40+ yards. The 40+ yard statistic was especially troublesome. The Jaguars were dead last in that category by a long shot. Detriot, New England, and San Francisco were tied for 31st, but only gave up 11 plays.

How does the Jaguars pass defense compare across the board to last year's? The only category they are worse in is yards per game. The unit is now surrendering 262 yards per game compared to 224 last year. The unit has improved across the board everywhere else. They have cut the YPC down to 7.4, bringing their ranking up to 19th in that category. More importantly, they've only given up 15 plays of 20+ yards (Down from 3.5 a game in 2008 to 2.5 a game), with only two going for 40+ yards.

So the question becomes, is the Jaguars pass defense worse or better than it was a year ago?

I would say it is better, despite the increase in yards per game. The Jaguars have faced the Colts, Cardinals, Texans, Rams, and Seahawks in their first six games this season. All of those teams lean heavily on the pass and are going to get their yards one way or the other. The Jaguars certainly surrendered yards, allowing over 300 yards in their first three games in a row.

However, they have managed to keep everything in front of them, and limited the big plays that were suck a back breaker last season.

The emergence of Derek Cox as a legitimate #2 corner has been a major factor for this defensive secondary. Cox has been targeted frequently by opposing teams, and coupled with inconsistent safety play over the top, was largely responsible for many of the big plays teams had against the secondary. However, Cox has been steadily improving and is showing why the Jaguars invested the 2010 2nd round pick in him.

The safety position is the area of most concern in the unit though. Gerald Alexander has been inconsistent, though has shown flashes from the strong saftey position. He'll need to become more consistent over the next ten games though if he wants some job security.

Reggie Nelson has been another enigma for this team. After an excellent rookie year, Nelson has been stuck in neutral. While some of that can be blamed on his role in Gregg Williams' defense a year ago, why is he still making bad reads and being caught out of position as much as he? Granted, he played very well against the Rams, which has me hoping he's improving and will finish the season strong.

What do the statistics tell you BCC? Is this a young secondary that is now turning the corner, or a medicore unit that somehow managed to get out of dead last?

-Jonathan Loesche