Article from NFL.com

[jags_teal_curtain]

Can the Jets build upon whatever momentum they gained from their victory over Miami and ride it to a win over Jacksonville?

It's doubtful, even though the Jets are at home for the second week in a row.

Running back Curtis Martin is trying to bounce back from a knee injury, which will be difficult enough. However, his greater challenge is having success against the Jaguars dominant front seven.

The Jets offensive line was very shaky in Week 2. Despite the outcome of the game, it often allowed the Dolphins front seven clear paths to the backfield. Jacksonville has more talented defensive linemen and aggressive linebackers who are capable of doing much more damage if the Jets' blocking doesn't show dramatic improvement.

In all likelihood, the Jets will often be in unfavorable down-and-distance situations. And that means they will be leaning heavily on the passing arm of quarterback Chad Pennington, who still seems bothered by his surgically repaired throwing shoulder. Pennington simply isn't able to get much zip on his throws, and defensive tackles John Henderson and Marcus Stroud are not going to provide him with the space to step up in the pocket so that he can put more steam on his passes.

As a result, Pennington will likely wind up with at least one turnover, and possibly more, to go along with stalled drives.

The Jaguars offense should be more effective by pounding away with running back Fred Taylor against a run defense that is allowing more than five yards per carry. That will help take pressure off of quarterback Byron Leftwich, who was beat up against the Colts, but still capable of playing well.

Jacksonville at New York Jets

NFL.com wire reports

Matchup Breakdown | Game Notes

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Sept. 21, 2005) -- Just two games into the season, the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets are dealing with bothersome injuries.

The Jaguars hope to have quarterback Byron Leftwich available, while the Jets will be counting on the services of running back Curtis Martin when the teams meet in East Rutherford, N.J.

Leftwich missed practice Wednesday with a sore groin and is listed as questionable on the injury report, but insisted he will not miss any time.

"I'm fine. I'll be ready to play Sunday," Leftwich said.

Leftwich was injured in the fourth quarter of the Jaguars' loss at Indianapolis last week, getting bent awkwardly during a tackle. He hobbled off the field, but didn't miss a play.

Martin's situation is a bit more tenuous as the defending NFL rushing champion suffered a bruised right knee during the Jets' win over Miami. Martin, who also sat out practice on Wednesday, had an MRI on Monday that revealed no structural damage and he should be ready to go. He last missed a game in 1998, and has missed just four during his 11-year career.

"If he feels he can help the team win, Curtis Martin is going to play," coach Herman Edwards said. "He's never going to put the team in jeopardy."

If he can't go, the Jets will turn to fourth-year back Derrick Blaylock, whom they signed in the offseason after losing LaMont Jordan to Oakland via free agency.

The most obvious reason why both teams want their star players in the lineup is because they have had problems getting in the end zone in the early going, combining for just five touchdowns.

The Jaguars handled Seattle 26-14 in their opener two weeks ago, but had to settle for four Josh Scobee field goals. Last week against Indianapolis, the Jaguars were held to 175 net passing yards in their 10-3 loss.

Leftwich completed 16 of 29 for 198 yards, but spent the better part of the afternoon running for his life. In the end, he was sacked six times and eventually injured.

The Jets' Curtis Martin will look for his first 100-yard rushing game.

However, the Jaguars had to feel good about their 128 rushing yards and 5.3-yards per carry average against the Colts' stout defense. Fred Taylor finished with 81 yards on 16 carries.

The Jets have looked equally rusty on offense, getting a late touchdown pass from backup Jay Fiedler in their 27-7 loss to Kansas City in Week 1 and often looking disjointed last week in a 17-7 win over Miami.

Quarterback Chad Pennington finished 19 of 30 for 190 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions following a nightmarish performance in which he had six fumbles, lost two, and threw an interception against the Chiefs.

Still, he's under no illusions that the team has a firm grasp of new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger's scheme.

"We're light years from where we need to be," Pennington said. "It's not going to happen overnight."

With a win Sunday, the Jags could be in position to make an early move in the AFC South as they next return home for back-to-back games against Denver and Cincinnati.

The Jets, on the other hand, have little choice but to start scoring some points because their next three games are also against solid defenses. They will travel to Baltimore and Buffalo, with a visit from Tampa Bay sandwiched in between.

STANDINGS: Jaguars -- 2nd place (tied), AFC South. Jets -- 1st place (tied), AFC East.

JAGUARS LEADERS: Offense -- Leftwich, 450 passing yards and 2 passing TDs; Taylor, 157 rushing yards; no rushing TDs; Jimmy Smith, 10 receptions, 179 receiving yards and 2 receiving TDs. Defense -- Akin Ayodele and Reggie Hayward, 1 sack; Deon Grant, Mike Peterson and Daryl Smith, 1 interception.

JETS LEADERS: Offense -- Pennington, 454 passing yards and 2 passing TDs; Martin, 129 rushing yards; no rushing TDs; Laveranues Coles, 11 receptions and 134 receiving yards; Chris Baker, Coles and Jerald Sowell, 1 receiving TD. Defense -- John Abraham, 2 sacks; David Barrett and Ty Law, 1 interception.

JAGUARS TEAM RANK: Rushing Offense -- 123.5 yards per game (8th in NFL); Passing Offense -- 209 ypg (19th); Total Offense -- 332.5 ypg (tied for 13th). Rushing Defense -- 121.5 ypg (26th); Passing Defense -- 173.5 ypg (7th); Total Defense -- 295 ypg (13th).

JETS TEAM RANK: Rushing Offense -- 77.5 yards per game (25th); Passing Offense -- 253 ypg (tied for 7th); Total Offense -- 330.5 ypg (tied for 16th). Rushing Defense -- 132 ypg (tied for 28th); Passing Defense -- 180 ypg (9th); Total Defense -- 312 ypg (17th).

LAST MEETING: Nov. 23, 2003; Jets, 13-10. At East Rutherford, N.J., Pennington threw a 3-yard TD pass to Santana Moss with 26 seconds left to give the Jets the win.

STREAKS AND NOTES: Jaguars -- In the Jaguars' 11-year history, they have scored first in 50 road games, winning 36. ... In his past nine road games, QB Leftwich has completed 60 percent of his passes (194-of-323). In games Leftwich has thrown at least two TD passes, the Jags are 7-0. ... Jacksonville is second in the AFC in turnover differential at plus-6. Jets -- QB Pennington is second in the AFC with a 121.8 fourth-quarter passer rating this season, completing 11 of 15 for 131 yards and a TD. ... The Jets lead the AFC with a 45.2 third-down conversion percentage (14-of-31). ... WR Coles leads the AFC with six third-down receptions. He has 272 total catches since 2002, sixth most in the NFL.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Jaguars -- 0-1 on the road; Jets -- 1-0 at home.

[TheSlinger]

Good stuff. But one thing... since when do the Colts have a "stout D"?

[GimmeShelter]

Hopefully Donnie and gang pitch one of their 2nd half shutouts on these guys allowing our offense to do enough to win.

Too much Jags hype for me.