Quick Preview of Colts/Jaguars

This will probably be the last real game for the Colts this season. All signs point to them resting their key players against the Jets and the Bills in their final two games. However, Jim Caldwell has indicated that his "healthy" players will be on the field tonight against the Jaguars. As to whether or not they will play the full 60 minutes, that remains to be seen. Should the Colts give their full effort against the Jaguars, I don't see any reason why they shouldn't win the game tonight. However, if Jim Caldwell decides to rest his players late in the second half and the game is really close, then I can foresee the Jaguars handing the Colts their first loss of the regular season. But let's assume that the Colts do send their full arsenal in their battle tonight against the Jaguars. If the Jaguars are going to win this game, it is going to be won in the hands of their defense and their running game. The Jaguars are going to have to get a pass rush on Peyton Manning if they are going to be successful at all tonight. They are going to have to disrupt his throwing rhythm and force him to make quick, snap decisions on the drop back. If the Jaguars are able to get to Manning early and often, then the Colts will turn to their running game and try to pound the ball with Joseph Addai. I do not foresee the Jaguars getting to Manning that often. He will find Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon, and Austin Collie throughout the course of the game because he is without a doubt one of the most precise quarterbacks in NFL history. Manning doesn't get rattled and is able to make quick, snap decisions in the pocket. If the Jaguars win this game, it won't be because they were fully able to stop Peyton Manning. It would be because they limited the amount of damage he inflicted on the football field. Offensively, the Jaguars are going to run the ball with Maurice Jones-Drew. The Jaguars live and die on the strength of their running game. If Jones-Drew is contained by the Colts defense for the better part of the game, then the Jaguars will put the game in the hands of David Garrard. And David Garrard is not Peyton Manning. That is to say, if things don't go well offensively, he is not going to be the one to save the day and lead the Jaguars to an upset victory. He is not an elite quarterback in the NFL and I feel that if the Colts defense gets enough pressure on him, then the Jaguars will be in for a long night on the offensive side of the ball. Again, all of this is assuming that the Colts give 100% on the field tonight and leave no doubt that they are the best team in the AFC. However, should they choose to begin resting their players, there is no reason why the Jaguars shouldn't be able to pull off a victory at home. Even with the Colts at full strength, I still think the game will be close and the Jaguars will put together a tremendous effort against their division rival. However, I don't think it will be enough to halt perfection. Colts win 23-21.