Last week's win--won again late by Josh Scobee's leg--created more questions than answers for the Jacksonville Jaguars but increased the win total, which is, last I checked, still the main criteria for getting into the playoffs. Though the Texans reputation doesn't exactly instill fear into their opponents, they had won three of the last four games against the Jags.
In their 30-27 overtime victory, the Jags were successful in doing something no other team had done this season: make Houston Texans' QB Matt Schaub look good. All day long. He was 29 for 40 for 307 yards and 3 TDs. The Jax defense continues to give up touchdowns without getting pressure on opposite quarterbacks.
The good news, besides Scobee's accuracy, was the offense. Garrard had another solid outing, going 23 for 236 yards and also ran for 41 times, including several clutch first down runs late in the game. At times, it seemed like he was solely willing his team to win. WR Matt Jones has strung together a few good games in a row, added five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. His efforts have been welcomed with open arms on a team that desperately longs for a go-to receiver. The usually-conservative Coach Jack Del Rio also contributed to the effort with an early fake punt call that resulted in a 41-yard touchdown for fullback Montel Owens.
This weekend will not get any easier, as the Jags take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Sunday night rematch of last year's playoff match-up when the Jags squeaked by, 31-29. The Jags will have to play a lot better, especially on defense, if they hope to be competitive, let alone win.
