With Quinn Gray making his first NFL start, the Jacksonville Jaguars put their trust in a vibrant running game and a sturdy defense.
Jaguars quarterback David Garrard could be sidelined up to a month with a badly sprained left ankle. Coach Jack Del Rio said Wednesday that Garrard has a high ankle sprain, meaning he has ligament damage, and will sit out road games against Tampa Bay and New Orleans.
All that talk about defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis being better this season just might be true. The Colts dominated every aspect of Monday night's showdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars, easily winning 29-7 and once again taking charge in the AFC South. They also moved a step close to setting up an undefeated matchup with New England (7-0). The teams meet Nov. 4.
Jacksonville's inconsistent ways are a thing of the past. Maybe the team's struggles against division rival Houston are, too.
The Jacksonville Jaguars suddenly have a big-play offense to accompany their smothering defense. It was the defense that most embarrassed Kansas City in a 17-7 win Sunday.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are parting ways with quarterback Byron Leftwich after four frustrating, injury-filled seasons.
About the only thing new quarterback Trent Green led the Miami Dolphins offense to Saturday night was a smattering of boos.
Sometimes teams that enter the final game of the season needing half a dozen things to break their way get their wish. The Kansas City Chiefs went around all week grumbling at themselves for failing to make the playoffs for the eighth time in nine seasons.
The New England Patriots left Jacksonville with more championship shirts and hats. It wasn't the Super Bowl kind, but they'll gladly wear them — at least for now.
The Tennessee Titans found three more ways to keep their magical ride alive.
Fred Taylor slipped through the defensive line, cut right and gained 76 yards before Jason David caught up and made a touchdown-saving tackle.
David Garrard scrambled to his right, reversed his field, retreated and found himself 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage looking in vain for an open receiver. Even then, the Miami Dolphins failed to stop him.
From awful to awesome: In a matter of weeks, J.P. Losman has taken the bumble and stumble out of the Buffalo Bills' offense. Delivering on the patience his coaches and teammates have provided him all season long, the second-year starter produced his second straight last-minute, game-winning drive in a 27-24 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
The Jaguars forced three turnovers, pressured Eli Manning into several poor throws and held Tiki Barber to a season-low 27 yards rushing in a 26-10 victory over the injury-riddled Giants. Jacksonville (6-4) rebounded from an embarrassing loss to Houston and spoiled former coach Tom Coughlin's homecoming.
The Philadelphia Eagles had a dropped pass, a penalty and a sack on their first three plays. It only got worse for the NFL's top-ranked offense against a Jacksonville defense missing three starters.
Houston looked nothing like the old, pathetic Texans of last year. Maybe that's because the stars of Sunday's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars weren't around back then.
Defensive tackle John Henderson jumped up and down at the goal line, shaking his head from side to side and screaming at the top of his lungs.
No need for Mark Brunell to gloat about beating his old team. His favorite receiver, Santana Moss, and the rest of the Washington Redskins offense did plenty to leave the Jacksonville Jaguars sufficiently embarrassed.
The Indianapolis Colts' high-scoring offense proved it could be patient, too. Peyton Manning went into the locker room at halftime and tried to not be frustrated after the Colts had only three first-half series and nine offensive plays in the first 27 minutes.
Ben Roethlisberger gingerly walked off the field near the end of the game, grimacing and grasping his side after another hard hit. Big Ben was back. He wasn't back to form, though — and the Jacksonville Jaguars defense had a lot to with that.
Terrell Owens gave the Dallas Cowboys almost everything they wanted in the season opener: big plays, a touchdown and no surly behavior. The only thing missing was a victory.
Tampa Bay and Jacksonville hardly looked ready for the regular season. At least not on offense. Byron Leftwich threw a touchdown pass and ran for a score — both against backups in the third quarter — and the Jaguars rallied to beat the Buccaneers 29-18 in a preseason game Saturday night.
David Garrard's worst game came at an inopportune time. It also ended whatever outside shot he had at supplanting starter Byron Leftwich.
Jimmy Smith cleared his throat, finished his sentence and bowed his head. Then Smith, one of the most prolific receivers in NFL history, started to cry. But just like he has done so many times before in his career, he regrouped without hesitation.
The blackout rule has long been a source of consternation for fans and a PR nightmare for teams.
Jacksonville Jaguars 13 - 6 Philadelphia Eagles The Eagles have lost three straight games. The Eagles offense lost this one. Coming into this game they were averaging over 500 yards per game yet managed only 227 yards and no TDs against the Jags. Eagle Eye Report:
Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles 1:00pm ET, Sunday - CBS Eagles favored by 7.5 points. The 4-3 Eagles host the 3-3 Jacksonville Jaguars. Keep an eye out for:
This Tiffany-fashioned sterling silver statuette of a "laces out", primed-to-boot football is the most coveted piece of blingbling in the NFL.