Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars Spread
The Denver Broncos and the Jacksonville Jaguars are all set to open up their 2010 campaigns Sunday afternoon at EverBank Field. Both teams are hoping that 2010 will treat them better than 2009.
Despite a 6-0 start to the 2009 season, the Broncos did not make the playoffs. The Jaguars also blew an opportunity to land an AFC Wild Card spot by losing their final four games of the 2o09 season.
NFL odds makers are expecting a tight contest Sunday, but they are giving the edge to the home team, listing the Jaguars as a 2.5-point favorite with the total set at 40.
While Maurice Jones-Drew will carry the offensive load, quarterback David Garrard must perform better if the Jags are going to make a playoff push. Since posting a terrific 102.2 passer rating in 2007, Garrard has recorded passer ratings in the low 80s the last two years. Garrard must be able to make teams pay when they stack the box to take away the running game.
An improved wide receiver unit, benefiting from a healthy Mike Sims-Walker, should help Garrard post better numbers this year.
Jones-Drew has been a hot pick by fantasy players, and rightfully so. The guy amassed 1,886 yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns in 2009. He’ll continue to be Jacksonville’s workhorse.
While the offense shows potential, a defense which allowed 23.8 points per game in 2009 must improve in order for the Jags to even entertain the idea of the playoffs. This unit especially must improve against the pass. And that starts up front.
The Jags are hopeful that the addition of Aaron Kampman can help solve their pass rushing issues.
From a point spread perspective, Jacksonville has been extremely profitable in season openers. In fact, it has gone 9-2 against the number in its last 11 Week 1 contests.
While the offense will certainly miss the playmaking ability of wide receiver Brandon Marshall, this team is extremely confident in the ability of quarterback Kyle Orton to lead them into the playoffs. He has already shown signs of improvement this preseason. Orton threw for 3,802 yards and 21 touchdowns with 12 interceptions last year.
With Marshall gone, the Broncos will have to rely more on their running game, and they will also need new playmakers to emerge. Eddie Royal, who caught 91 passes for 980 yards in 2008, appears up for the task.
Injuries have set back first-round draft pick Demaryius Thomas, but I expect him to be a key contributor at some point this season.
The Denver defense excelled against the pass in 2009 because of it ferocious pass rush. Unfortunately, the defense has been dealt a major blow with the injury to top pass rusher Elvis Dumervil. In his absence, the Broncos will need Robert Ayers to provide a spark on the outside.
It is also important to note that the underdog is a perfect 5-0 against the spread in the last five meetings between these two teams.
