The New Orleans Saints will be facing the Jacksonville Jaguars tomorrow afternoon, hoping to extend their modest two game winning streak. In order for the Saints to be successful, they will have to play well defensively. Although Jacksonville is 1-2 and only averaging an atrocious 9.7 points per game, they still possess enough offensive weapons to be dangerous.
Pass Defense
Jacksonville will be starting rookie Blaine Gabbert at quarterback. Judging from his appearances in the preseason and early in the regular season, Gabbert doesn’t seem ready for the NFL just yet. However, Jaguars HC Jack Del Rio seems to have enough confidence to give Gabbert the starting job after cutting long time starter David Garrard and benching Luke McCown after an embarrasing 4 interception performance against the New York Jets.
The Saints need to take full advantage of Gabbert’s inexperience. Look for Saints DC Gregg Williams to blitz early and often, as well as disguise coverages and defensive sets. The defense’s mission should be to show Gabbert as many looks as possible in order to throw him off. The Saints should have enough success in confusing Gabbert, hopefully creating timely turnovers in the process. The defense’s ability to create turnovers has been somewhat absent so far in 2011, but this game presents a great opportunity to get on the right track.
One matchup to look at in defending the pass is TE Mercedes Lewis against the Saints’ linebacking unit and secondary. Lewis, who posted a 700 yard, 10 touchdown season a year ago, is probably the best pass catcher on the Jaguars’ roster. Much like the Saints’ own Jimmy Graham, Lewis presents a huge physical disparity (6-6, 275) to the opposing defense.
Containing Lewis with a variety of looks and coverages from the linebackers and safeties should help. LB Jonathan Casillas did a fair job last week against Texans’ TE Owen Daniels, and I would expect Casillas to do a decent job against Lewis this week.
Rush Defense
Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew is considered by many to be one of the top running backs in the NFL. Already off to a good start this season, Jones-Drew will look to contribute against a very shaky Saints rush defense.
Defending a solid rushing game requires consistent contributions from the defensive line. It is time for Aubrayo Franklin to finally step up and make a huge difference. Franklin, who was a force in San Francisco, was brought in specifically to help against the run. His presence, along with Shaun Rogers, need to be able to control the line of scrimmage and limit Jones-Drew’s impact. If he can be contained, the Saints will have a much easier time.
The Jaguars’ rushing attack can also be neutralized if the Saints score early and build a large lead. As we saw last week with Houston, teams realize that making the game a shootout is one of the few ways that they can beat New Orleans. Although the Saints should never depend on Brees and company to constantly bail them out, the defense should play with the confidence that the guys on the other side of the ball have their collective backs.
Matchup to Watch
Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Saints defensive line will be the key to this game. Jones-Drew represents the largest threat from Jacksonville, and possibly their only real shot at pulling an upset. Blaine Gabbert will struggle, and it will be up to Jones-Drew to make the offense go. If the Saints can contain the Jaguars’ running game and force Gabbert to throw more than he wants to, the Saints will earn the victory.
