1. 

   Rodgers is on fire lately.  The Jags need to try and bring him back to earth.  Source: Scott Kane-US PRESSWIRE

   Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay - Rodgers is on top of the world right now.  He’s coming off some tremendous weeks passing after not seeming himself in the first few weeks of the season. Rodgers is hot right now, completing over 70% of his passes in the last two games with nine touchdowns to boot.  He looks unstoppable and his weapons probably won’t let him down against suspect defensive play.

2. Blaine Gabbert, QB, Jacksonville - Gabbert looked good without MJD in the backfield last week against the Raiders.  Then he tore his labrum.  While the tear is in his left, non-throwing shoulder it could still affect his play and will undoubtedly make him a little shy toward hits.  If we see a return to the skittish Gabbert from last year it may be easy to chalk it up to his injury and him playing to protect his shoulder.  Playing through the pain would go a long way toward creating some credibility in his lackluster career thus far.
3. Clay Matthews, LB, Green Bay - If you’re just now hearing about Clay Matthews then you haven’t been paying attention to football for the past couple years.  The man has nine sacks on the season and is an intimidating presence whenever he steps on the field.  Gabbert will most certainly be worried that his suspect line can’t hold up against a rush specialist like Matthews, and for good reason.  Matthews’ play will dictate whether this game is even competitive.
4. Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay - With Greg Jennings out indefinitely and Jordy Nelson questionable for Sunday’s game, expect Cobb to get a lot of looks from Rodgers in the game.  Not only is Cobb a good receiver in his own right, but he has the skills to fill in for any of the injured receivers on the team.  His 435 receiving yards is second on the team only to Nelson.  Cobb is becoming much more than a role player and will be influential in asserting the Green Bay passing game over the Jaguars pass defense.
5. Rashad Jennings, RB, Jacksonville - With MJD injured, it’s on Jennings to carry the load.  Jennings was being prepped to be the team’s primary back during the offseason, but with Jones-Drew back he has been relegated to backup once again.  Jennings can do a lot of his stock if he performs well and shows that he should be more than just a spell back for Jones-Drew.  Unfortunately, Jennings 2.6 yards per attempt on the season don’t instill confidence.  He is a powerful back that could give the Jaguars what they need with good blocking in front of him.

- Luke N. Sims

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A linchpin is something that is necessary to something or someone else.  It is difficult or impossible to live without the linchpin in an organization.  Entire theories of economic, organizational, and even global collapse can be extrapolated from linchpin theory.

I don't know how he did it, but somehow he made us all overlook that defense every year. Source: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Some linchpins are obvious.  Peyton Manning made Indianapolis a perennial Super Bowl contender and made even terrible defense look good.  Michael Vick during his tenure with Atlanta had the entire team thrust on his shoulders and it all came crashing down when he was arrested for dog fighting.

When talking about linchpins it is important to differentiate between an absolutely vital part of a team and a leader.  Leaders are incredibly important and difficult to live without.  Clay Matthews is the leader of the Packers defense, becoming the face of the Packers D over the last few years.  Similarly, Ray Lewis in Baltimore is the leader of the defense (some would say the whole team) and brings experience and bravado to each game.  Neither of these two men are vital to the success of their respective teams though.  If Matthews went down, he would be replaced by another linebacker and more attention would be put on A.J. Hawk and Charles Woodson as leaders.  Lewis has lost a step over the past few years but his leadership is still more valuable to the Ravens than his (slowly) declining play.

Some teams don’t have linchpins.  Instead they are teams that are a motley crew of “guys” who have yet to distinguish themselves from the pack.  There are leaders, there are faces of franchises, but none of them have made themselves absolutely vital to the success of the team.  Does Jacksonville have linchpins in their organization?  Who are the guys that could make that case?

Here again we have to make sure that we differentiate between who needs to step up and who is vital.  Blaine Gabbert needs to step up if the Jaguars are to be successful.  The receivers also need to step up.  The receivers nor Gabbert have proven themselves to be vital to the organization thus far though.

In the case of the 2012 Jaguars, I would argue that Brad Meester is the linchpin for the Jaguars heading into the season.

Aside from Meester’s vast experience and knowledge of the game, his skill level and leadership are also invaluable to the Jaguars.  Beyond that, if he goes down the Jaguars will have a very, very hard time being even remotely relevant.  The ripple effect of losing a center in the NFL is tremendous.  If the depth behind that starting center is limited then there is an even sharper decline.

Behind Meester, the Jaguars have John Estes and Mike Brewster.  While there has been talk recently of Estes (or even Brewster) overtaking Meester during the season and finally making the 35 year old redundant, the skill drop-off between Meester and his backups is far greater than imagined.  Of the 40 sacks Gabbert took last season, only 2.5 are attributed to Meester.  Beyond that, he has proven to be crucial to the running game.  He no longer has the speed and pure power to push into the second level of the defense as quickly as he used to, but he still has the skills to do it and to open holes.

The center position is crucial to the game of football and can make a huge diference on ever play.  Meester makes this even more important for the Jaguars with his continuously stellar play.

Who do you think is a linchpin for the Jaguars?  Anybody that could make the case?

- Luke N. Sims

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You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims

Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-US PRESSWIRE

While Daryl Smith is in the last year of his 5 year deal, I can confidently say that he will re-sign and maintain his level of performance and success for the Jags. Smith is one of the most underrated linebackers in the game, something all Jaguars fans should be aware of. Smith isn’t known as well around the league because he is not only quiet, but because he doesn’t have the sack totals like many well known outside linebackers such as Terrell Suggs, Clay Matthews, or DeMarcus Ware. All of which play in a 3-4 system. However, Smith has been consistently reliable through his eight year career, with his last three years being the best of his eight year career.

Having Paul Posluszny and Clint Session beside him last season has made the Jaguars front 7 a more fearsome front , allowing him to rack up 107 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 fumbles as well as an interception. Daryl is in the final year of his 5 year contract and seems to be having the best statistical seasons of his eight year career.

Another important note to add is that the Jaguars defense finished sixth in overall defense this past season, despite the fact that the Jaguars offense finished dead last. Thus meaning the Jaguars defense was required to take the field more than most, yet still managed to finish sixth. If the Jags revamped passing attack can make the necessary improvements, the team will finish with a much better record, assuming the defense has a repeat in production.

Smith is now entering his 9th NFL season and while writing this article I couldn’t help think of London Fletcher. Both are team captains, lead their teams in tackles, are consistent performers, and maintain good health. I would love nothing more for Smith to continue his career as Fletcher has, and receiving a ProBowl honor wouldn’t hurt either.
Smith should receive an extension this coming season and I believe he is an important cog to the team’s future success.

- Antonio Furgiuele