10/21/07
Classic
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is one of the premier annual events in the
sporting world. When two teams suit up to play on Monday night, the
intensity is maxed out. There’s just something about it that just brings
out the gridiron hero in all of us. When the
Jacksonville Jaguars take on division nemesis
Indianapolis , it will surely satisfy any football fans hunger
for an excellent game. The only reason that this game is not being
billed as high as the Cowboys-Patriots game is because of the lone
blemish on the Jaguars record. The Jaguars were exposed and embarrassed
by the Titans in week one this season.
Tennessee had its way with the Jaguars defense, running for an
astonishing 282 total yards. Chris Brown looked like the second coming
of
Eric Dickerson, slashing through gaping holes in the center of
the defense. The exasperated defense that the Titans faced, will not be
the same one the Colts will be dealing with come Monday night. Since
week one, the Jaguars have stuffed every running back they have faced.
They bottled up the Falcons slashing duo of Jerios Norwood and
Warrick Dunn. Travis Henry spent most of his day being stuffed at
the line of scrimmage. Even stud back Larry Johnson was held to a dismal
12 yards rushing on 9 carries. To top it all off, the Jaguars pounded
division rival Houston last Sunday.
The implications for this game are
huge for both teams:
·
The Jaguars are 4-1,
and can take control of the AFC South with a win.
·
The Colts are 5-0,
and can further enhance their lead in the division.
·
The Jaguars, with a
win, have a chance to establish themselves as an elite team in not only
the AFC, but the entire NFL.
·
The Colts, with a
win, will further prove that they are far more capable than the Cowboys
to contend with the Patriots for the top spot in the NFL.
·
The Jaguars can
prove that last years astonishing thumping of the Colts in December was
not a fluke.
This has all the makings of a
classic
Monday Night Football game. The Colts bring an explosive offense,
led by the ever clever
Peyton Manning. They will be even stronger with a healthy Joseph
Addai and Marvin Harrison returning to action. The Jaguars bring a stout
defense, and a highly efficient offense. Quarterback David Garrard has
thrown at least one touchdown pass in each game this season while
avoiding any interceptions. The Jaguars running game which torched
Indianapolis ’ defense for an amazing 375 yards last season, will
be the focal point in the Jaguars offensive scheme. Both sides should be
extremely aggressive, and provide a lot of intense moments throughout
the game.
The reason the Colts will win:
-
Peyton Manning is obviously the key to the Colts, so he needs to
be at his best for the Colts to win. The Jaguars have a young rookie in
Reggie Nelson playing free safety, and the ageless Sammy Knight at
strong safety. Nelson and Knight have been exposed in the passing game
several times this season, and
Peyton Manning will look to exploit their inconsistencies.
The reason the Jaguars will win:
- The
Jaguars always seem to play some of their best games against the Colts.
They are clearly playing the underdog role in this game, and will use
that as emotional fuel. Their defense should contain Joseph Addai, so
the key will be to stop the Colts passing attack. If David Garrard plays
efficiently, and the Jaguars running backs can be effective, then the
Jaguars should be able to manage the game in their favor.
