Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) 3-1 ATS, 3-1 O/U at Seattle Seahawks (1-3) 1-3 ATS, 2-2 O/U Sunday October 11, 2009 Qwest Field Seattle, Washington 4:15 p.m. EST
By Wilson of Predictem.com
Point Spread: Jacksonville -3/Seattle +3
The Seattle Seahawks had front row seats at the Peyton Manning Show on Sunday and they witnessed a classic performance by one the leagues great entertainers. Manning performed what many are referring to as delicate surgery on Sunday as he threaded the needle and made all the right adjustments after reading the defenses.
The Seahawks drop to 1-3 and head coach Jim Mora said With our situation being what it is, its going to be tough until we get back to full strength. Seattle starting QB Matt Hasslebeck remains out with the injured rib. Backup QB Seneca Wallace has done his best to lead the Hawks as he was 33 of 45 passing with one TD but he also had two lost fumbles and was sacked five times. Left tackle Walter Jones is still out of the lineup with a knee injury and his presence has been missed as the O-line has struggled to protect the QB or establish a run game.
The Jacksonville Jaguars might just draw more fans if they keep playing the way they have been the last couple times out. Jacksonville QB David Garrard finished 27 of 37 passing with 323 yards and 3 touchdowns. It always helps when the team youre playing is ranked 29th in the league for pass defense. The Jaguars wasted no time attacking the broken down defense of the Tennessee Titans.
Usually a running oriented team, the Jaguars QB Garrard attempted 27 passes in the first half while only calling 6 running plays. Mike Simms-Walker was a great target for Garrard as he had 7 receptions for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns. Simms-Walkers longest reception was for just 19 yards but he helped Garrad pick apart the weak defense.
Jacksonville was 3 for 6 in the red zone and held the pigskin for over 38 minutes. If Seattle has any chance at all this week they hopefully learned something from the Peyton Manning beating. Seattle must step up and defend the pass. I understand they are hurting and missing key players but they have got to stop the excuses and remember that they are all professionals. Its not like its a JV kid playing up on Varsity, its the NFL, where youre supposed to be the best of the best. The Seahawks need to win this week or they are in a deeper hole.
The Jaguars defense, however, has been playing well and they proved that once again last Sunday as they held Chris Johnson to just 83 yards on 16 carries. They also kept a steady flow of pressure on the QB (Collins) as they went on to beat the Titans 37-17.
Perhaps Qwest Field will provide the popular Seattle fan favorite 12th man and boost the Hawks energy enough to spark a win at home.
Online Sportsbooks and Vegas Bookies alike, are favoring the Jaguars even though they are heading into the hostile Gateway to the Pacific. It makes sense as Seattle continues to struggle on both sides of ball. It hasnt been an easy season for Hawks coach Jim Mora especially with all the different areas of concern. Jacksonville will certainly go after the Seahawks struggling secondary which is prone to blowing coverages.
The Jaguars learned that can also pass the ball and be successful. If Jacksonville finds that balance between the pass and run they might be hard to handle in Seattle as well as around the rest of the league.
Wilsons Pick: Seattle will gut this out at home but it will be too much Jags in the end. Jacksonville covers the spread and leaves Seattle with the win. Jacksonville 24, Seattle 17. Luck to ya.
