Philadelphia Eagles (1-1 SU, 0-2 ATS) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS), Week 3 NFL, 4:05 p.m. EST, Sunday, September 26, 2010, EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Fla.
by Ryno of Predictem.com
Point Spread: Phil -3/Jax +3
Over/Under Total: 44.5
The Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars both have quarterback issues. The Eagles’ problem is more of a good problem, while the Jaguars’ problem is more of a bad problem. The Eagles anointed Kevin Kolb as their future starting quarterback, but he got a concussion in the first half of their Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers after throwing for just 24 yards in the half. Backup Michael Vick came in and was spectacular in nearly leading the team back to a victory. In Week 2, Vick was once again terrific in a win over the Detroit Lions. But with Kolb cleared to play next week, Eagles head coach Andy Reid said that Kolb will be the starter once again. As for the Jaguars, their QB David Garrard threw four interceptions in a Week 2 loss to the San Diego Chargers. He was pulled during the game for backup Luke McCown, who then tore his ACL and will be out for the season. While Vick and McCown were the better quarterbacks for their respective teams last week, Kolb and Garrard will be the starters under center when the Eagles face the Jaguars on Sunday.
Garrard was great in a Week 1 win over the Denver Broncos, going 16-for-21 for 170 yards and three touchdowns. But in Week 2, he was 15-for-23 for 173 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions, as the Jaguars lost 38-13 to the Chargers. The success of the Jaguars offense has a lot to do with how well Maurice Jones-Drew is running the ball. In Week 1, MJD had 23 carries for 98 yards, but in Week 2 he only had 12 carries for 31 yards and lost a fumble. The lone bright spot for the Jaguars offense in Week 2 was WR Mike Sims-Walker, who had 10 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown after having no catches in Week 1. The real problem for the Jaguars in Week 2 was turnovers. They committed six turnovers and forced three of them. Their defense was pretty bad as well, allowing 477 yards of total offense.
In the Eagles’ 35-32 win over the Lions in Week 2, Vick threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 37 yards. RB LeSean McCoy had a breakout game with 16 carries for 120 yards and three touchdowns. WR DeSean Jackson had four catches for 135 yards and a touchdown. But the Eagles couldn’t stop Lions rookie RB Jahvid Best, who ran for 78 yards and two touchdowns and caught nine passes for 154 yards and a touchdown.
The Eagles, normally a team heavily reliant on the pass, have totaled 312 rushing yards in their first two games. McCoy ran for 120 in Week 2 and Vick ran for 103 in Week 1.
Kolb was 5-for-10 for 24 yards passing in the half he played against the Packers.
Neither of these two teams’ defenses have been very good at all in their first two games. The Jaguars are the fourth worst team in the NFL thus far against the pass, while the Eagles are 10th worst. The Jaguars are allowing 300 pass yards per game and the Eagles are allowing 248 per game. The Eagles are 10th worst in the league against the run with 123.5 yards allowed per game and the Jaguars are 13th worst with 120 allowed per game.
The Eagles are 4-0 ATS in their last four Week 3 games. They are 0-4 ATS in their last four games following an ATS loss and 0-5 ATS in their last five games overall. The Jaguars are 5-1 ATS in their last six Week 3 games but 1-4 ATS in their last five games following an ATS loss. The over is 5-1 in the Eagles’ last six September games and 4-0 in the Jaguars’ last four September games. The over is 4-1 in the Jaguars’ last five games overall.
Ryno’s Pick to Cover the Spread: I expect a ton of points in this game. Take the OVER.
