For a number of weeks now, all we’ve heard about is how tough and physical the Jacksonville Jaguars are. All we’ve heard about is what a force they are to be reckoned with come playoff time. I’ve had people at work, friends, and even fellow tailgaters warn me about their hard-nosed, smash-mouth style of play. I just don’t get it. I really don’t.

Maybe all of these people are being cautious… Maybe they’re taking the Belichick school of thought and simply treating our opponent with only the highest level of respect… But I’m just not buying it.

I remember hearing the same line of crap coming into our playoff game against Jags in 2005. I also remember the pre-game hype leading up to our late December meeting in Jacksonville last year. In both instances, the Pats won out and without much of a struggle. In 2005, Byron Leftwich was coming off his best year as a quarterback and the Jacksonville defensive line was lauded as one of the strongest and biggest in the game. The Jags were 12-4 that year and the result was a dominating 28-3 win by the Pats. In last year’s contest, the Jags needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive and all the Pats did was escape with a 24-21 win at AllTel Stadium. Brady carved the secondary apart completing 28 of 39 passes on his way to throwing for 249 yards. Let me remind you that OUR passing attack didn’t have the likes of Randy Moss, Wes Welker, or Donte Stallworth for that matter, yet Brady still completed passes to eleven different receivers. The leading receiver that day was none other than rookie tight end Dave Thomas. Who? Some of you may ask… To which I respond, “Exactly!”

Sure the Jags are physical. They have two of the bigger offensive and defensive lines in football, and they’re two-headed running attack is second best in the league statistically. But, is that enough to beat the Pats? Many experts point to the majority of the Pats defense being on the back-end of their careers. They’ll point to a ball-control style of play that accompanies a strong running attack as a means of wearing down an older defense. Pound away, down after down, while controlling the game clock and effectively keeping Tom Brady and his record-setting offense off of the field. That’s how you win against the Pats. That’s almost what the Ravens did and that’s almost what the Giants did. Right…? Well, sort of…

Let’s face it, “almost” doesn’t cut it in the NFL, especially come playoff time. The Pats almost lost to the Raiders in the 2001 snow game. The Pats almost lost in the Super Bowl to the Rams and later to the Panthers. Hell, the Pats almost beat the Colts last year in the AFC Championship. The fact of the matter is no one knows what it takes to beat the 2007-08 Patriots because it’s never been done.

So, what makes these Jags the team that can pull off the impossible? I’m not so sure. Take their 2007 schedule for instance. They’re obviously a good road team, compiling a 6-3 record with wins in Denver (7-9), at Tennessee (10-6), at Tampa Bay (9-7), and in Pittsburgh (10-6) twice- one of which was a playoff win last week. But what’s so earth-shattering about that? I don’t know about you, but after watching Tennessee and Tampa struggle this past weekend scoring points I really wouldn’t presume anything other than a 20-plus beat-down if they were to match up against the Pats in Foxborough.

I think it’s fair to say that their two road wins at Heinz Field are their two stellar wins of the year. No doubt, it’s one of the tougher venues to play, but how good were the Steelers? Their biggest wins were against Seattle and Cleveland. Sure the Steelers were dominant at home this year but their home cookin’ included the likes of Buffalo, Cinci, Miami, Cleve, Baltimore, San Fran and Seattle. Most will agree that those teams were far from world-beaters, combining for a 45-67 record. And, let’s not forget the 34-14 drubbing we gave them in week 14. It’s not like they beat the Giants, Colts, and Cowboys on the road or anything…

The key to Jacksonville’s success last week was turnovers. Not only was Roethlisberger sacked six times, but he threw three picks and fumbled once. It’s almost like he was told NOT to throw the ball away. All that and the Jags STILL only won by two points. Everyone’s entitled to a bad game, but did I mention that Brady had just eight picks all year?

Hey, being a Pats’ fan, I agree a win is a win- no ifs, ands, or buts about it but come on… The Jags offense completely shutdown once they were up by 18 points. Garrard starting throwing interceptions (2) and the offense became anemic until their final possession when a huge quarterback sneak bailed them out. If Garrard plans on throwing twos picks, completes only nine passes, and registers a quarterback rating of 41.9 like he did last week, there is no way in hell they even come within 20 points of the Pats.

I’ll be the first one to acknowledge the Jags resiliency, but there is no more resilient and poised team in football than the New England Patriots. We were down ten in Indy with under ten minutes to go and we won by four. We trailed the G-men by 12 in the third quarter and came back to win. The one thing no one can argue is that this Pats team is unflappable.

This weekend’s playoff game breaks down pretty simple- the Pats have the most explosive passing game in NFL history. The Jags have trouble defending the pass. If Jacksonville wants to keep up, they’ll have to score 30-plus points against the league’s 4th ranked defense with just the 17th ranked passing offense in the game. In other words- Good luck scoring points! During the regular season, the Jags have only scored 30-plus points four times this year, and they were all at home against the likes of Houston (8-8), Buffalo (7-9), Oakland (4-12), and Carolina (7-9).

The only advantage this Jaguars team has in any aspect of Saturday’s divisional game is special teams. Make no mistake - Maurice Jones-Drew is a stud. He’s a dynamic runner who’s a threat to take it to the house each and every time he touches the ball. However, after the Giants game - you can be sure the Pats special teams unit had a giant target plastered on itself and got plenty of attention in the last week of practice.

When it comes right down to it…I’m sick of it…

I’m sick of hearing about our aging linebackers…

I’m sick of hearing their quarterback calling them the ‘team of destiny’…

I’m sick of hearing about their two-prong running attack…

I’m sick of hearing how tough they are…

I’m sick of hearing how physical they are…

As Adalius Thomas said this week, “Its win or go home” time and the Pats will win! We’re 16-0.

Listen up- our offense dictates how defenses play us- not the other way around. Everyone likes to talk about how the Jags make teams one-dimensional by taking away their running game… Go ahead Jville take away our run- I dare you! I’m telling you right now we’re gonna’ come out firing and the tempo is going to be pass-pass-pass. You might not see a run until the second half very much like our Minnesota game a year ago. By the second quarter, this Pats offense is going to have the Jags defense running ragged and playing out of their comfort zone.

The Pats simply have way too many weapons. PERIOD! They’re rested and hungry. They’ve been here before and they know how to bring their ‘A’ game come playoff time. The Jags would be best served to not even show up. Trust me… this game is going to be ugly. The Pats will have a three score advantage (21-0 or 17-0) with nine or ten minutes left in the first half. Once the Jags get behind, they’ll be forced to throw and that’s when they’ll be vulnerable- basically eating straight out of Belichick’s hand. Hey Asante- it’s time to feast!

Garrard you want to see destiny? Show up as a spectator in Phoenix on February 3rd when we rewrite the record books (19-0) and win our fourth title in seven years!

Patriots 38
Jaguars 20

Bring on Indy!

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