ESPN.com - NFL - Take 2: Jaguars vs. Texans Friday, October 29, 2004
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Jaguars and Texans. Now they're back with a
second look.
In studying and breaking down the Jaguars' defense on film, you see a very
disciplined and fundamentally sound unit that does not blitz very much,
and rarely makes mistakes. They are an execution defense, relying on their
down four to generate a consistent pass rush. Last week, Peyton Manning
earned every yard he got; a lesser QB, and a lesser passing offense would
have struggled against the Jaguars' defense.
When the Jaguars play with their nickel defense, they move starting corner
Rashean Mathis inside over the slot, and Juran Bolden comes in and plays
left corner, with Dewayne Washington staying at right corner. This
presents some intriguing matchups against a Texans passing game whose
foundation is three-receiver sets.
The Texans will also attack downfield in the passing game with base
personnel, out of two back/one tight end sets and one back/two tight end
sets. They dictate single safety coverages, which results in man-to-man
opportunities on the outside.
Texans WR Andre Johnson is the matchup concern for the Jaguars. In the
Texans' three-receiver sets, Johnson moves around the formation; he will
not exclusively line up in one spot like the Colts' Marvin Harrison, who
almost always lines up on the right. Since the Jaguars have not shown that
they will match up specific corners to specific receivers, you'll see
Dewayne Washington playing Johnson at times. That matchup favors the
Texans.
One of the big keys in this matchup is the play of the Texans' OL against
the Jaguars' DL. The Texans are an intermediate and downfield passing
team, with QB David Carr predominantly utilizing five- and seven-step
drops. Deeper drops take more time, and while Carr has exhibited
tremendous toughness hanging in the pocket to deliver the football, his
efficiency drops significantly when he is under consistent pressure.
Like the Texans, the foundation of Jacksonville's offense is the
three-receiver formation, with Fred Taylor the single back. Although
Leftwich's delivery is still a little long and needs to become more
compact, he has a great feel for pressure, and is very composed and
comfortable in the pocket.
A key matchup in this game will be Jaguars LT Ephraim Salaam versus Texans
OLB Kailee Wong. Salaam struggled last week with Colts DE Dwight Freeney,
getting beat both by Freeney's speed and power. Wong has improved
dramatically as an edge pass rusher this season, and three weeks ago, he
clearly got the better of his matchup with Vikings LT Bryant McKinnie.
The Jaguars put tremendous pressure on the defense with Leftwich in the
shotgun, which is a predominant part of their offensive scheme. It is not
solely a passing formation for Jacksonville; they are very effective
running Fred Taylor on draws and delays. This will put a tremendous
run/pass burden on Houston's ILBs Jamie Sharper and Jay Foreman.
Another matchup to watch is Texans nickel corner DeMarcus Faggins matched
against Jaguars WR Jimmy Smith. In the Texans' nickel package, starting
corner Dunta Robinson comes down inside over the slot, and Faggins plays
on the outside. There will be times when Faggins will be matched against
Smith; the Texans must give Faggins help over the top in those situations.
First down will be the key down for the Texans' offense. They run the ball
well, so look for them to be aggressive with the passing game on early
downs and put the game in the hands of David Carr.
Special Teams
Texans PT Chad Stanley has done an excellent job in the first half of the
season. He's only had eight of his 23 punts returned, while nine of his
punts have been fair catches. With a struggling offense over the past two
years, Stanley had punted over 200 times, but with the improved Texans
defense, he has only 23 so far this season.
Prediction: Jaguars 21, Texans 20
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Jaguars and Texans. Now they're back with a
second look.
In studying and breaking down the Jaguars' defense on film, you see a very
disciplined and fundamentally sound unit that does not blitz very much,
and rarely makes mistakes. They are an execution defense, relying on their
down four to generate a consistent pass rush. Last week, Peyton Manning
earned every yard he got; a lesser QB, and a lesser passing offense would
have struggled against the Jaguars' defense.
When the Jaguars play with their nickel defense, they move starting corner
Rashean Mathis inside over the slot, and Juran Bolden comes in and plays
left corner, with Dewayne Washington staying at right corner. This
presents some intriguing matchups against a Texans passing game whose
foundation is three-receiver sets.
The Texans will also attack downfield in the passing game with base
personnel, out of two back/one tight end sets and one back/two tight end
sets. They dictate single safety coverages, which results in man-to-man
opportunities on the outside.
Texans WR Andre Johnson is the matchup concern for the Jaguars. In the
Texans' three-receiver sets, Johnson moves around the formation; he will
not exclusively line up in one spot like the Colts' Marvin Harrison, who
almost always lines up on the right. Since the Jaguars have not shown that
they will match up specific corners to specific receivers, you'll see
Dewayne Washington playing Johnson at times. That matchup favors the
Texans.
One of the big keys in this matchup is the play of the Texans' OL against
the Jaguars' DL. The Texans are an intermediate and downfield passing
team, with QB David Carr predominantly utilizing five- and seven-step
drops. Deeper drops take more time, and while Carr has exhibited
tremendous toughness hanging in the pocket to deliver the football, his
efficiency drops significantly when he is under consistent pressure.
Like the Texans, the foundation of Jacksonville's offense is the
three-receiver formation, with Fred Taylor the single back. Although
Leftwich's delivery is still a little long and needs to become more
compact, he has a great feel for pressure, and is very composed and
comfortable in the pocket.
A key matchup in this game will be Jaguars LT Ephraim Salaam versus Texans
OLB Kailee Wong. Salaam struggled last week with Colts DE Dwight Freeney,
getting beat both by Freeney's speed and power. Wong has improved
dramatically as an edge pass rusher this season, and three weeks ago, he
clearly got the better of his matchup with Vikings LT Bryant McKinnie.
The Jaguars put tremendous pressure on the defense with Leftwich in the
shotgun, which is a predominant part of their offensive scheme. It is not
solely a passing formation for Jacksonville; they are very effective
running Fred Taylor on draws and delays. This will put a tremendous
run/pass burden on Houston's ILBs Jamie Sharper and Jay Foreman.
Another matchup to watch is Texans nickel corner DeMarcus Faggins matched
against Jaguars WR Jimmy Smith. In the Texans' nickel package, starting
corner Dunta Robinson comes down inside over the slot, and Faggins plays
on the outside. There will be times when Faggins will be matched against
Smith; the Texans must give Faggins help over the top in those situations.
First down will be the key down for the Texans' offense. They run the ball
well, so look for them to be aggressive with the passing game on early
downs and put the game in the hands of David Carr.
Special Teams
Texans PT Chad Stanley has done an excellent job in the first half of the
season. He's only had eight of his 23 punts returned, while nine of his
punts have been fair catches. With a struggling offense over the past two
years, Stanley had punted over 200 times, but with the improved Texans
defense, he has only 23 so far this season.
Prediction: Jaguars 21, Texans 20
