Fact or Fiction – How the Other Half Lives

This Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars and their fans get a chance to see a team with a hall of fame quarterback and talent that allows the team to compete for the playoffs year after year in the New England Patriots.

The Patriots are favored by at least 14 points in most books, but quite frankly I don’t think this line could be high enough. When the Jaguars have lost at home, they’ve lost by an average of 16 points. Coupling that with the fact that Belichick and Brady never take the foot off the gas pedal, it would be surprising if the Jaguars are still within striking distance in the second half.

He has to play the Jaguars. He mad. David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

He has to play the Jaguars. He mad.

Tom Brady will throw for more than 3 touchdowns: FICTION

Tom Brady could probably throw for 6 touchdowns against the Jags defense if he wanted to, but it won’t be necessary. The Jaguars rush defense is equally as inept as its pass defense, meaning the Patriots stable of running backs will have plenty of chances to score.

Dec 16, 2012; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Cecil Shorts (84) is ruled out of bounds after catching the ball over Miami Dolphins free safety Reshad Jones (20) in the fourth quarter at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Cecil Shorts will have 100+ yards receiving: FACT

The Jaguars will likely be passing the ball quite a bit in this game and if the Patriots have one glaring weakness, it’s their pass defense, particularly on the outside. Shorts has a great chance to surpass 1,000 yards this year and will likely accomplish that feat this week. He only needs 75 yards and with the amount of targets he gets from Chad Henne, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Aaron Hernandez will have a touchdown: FACT

Without Gronkowski, Brady will be looking to Hernandez quite a bit, particularly in the red zone. The Jaguars defense has a tendency to leave tight ends wide open in the end zone to sell out against the run, so expect Hernandez to get loose at least once at some point this Sunday.

The Jaguars will force a turnover : FICTION

The Patriots had a horrific night last week against the 49ers, committing 4 turnovers at costly times during the game. You can bet that Belichick harped on the turnovers all week and doesn’t expect the team to make many mistakes this week against the Jaguars.

This is what the Jaguars causing a turnover looks like. Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

This is what the Jaguars causing a turnover looks like.

As fans, we’re at the point where our expectations for every game are pretty darn low, especially this week. If the Jaguars can come out and make a couple of plays, that would be enough. I just want to see some of our young talent – basically Shorts and Blackmon – show us something to look forward to next year. Outside of that, expect more of the same from the Jaguars this week.

Patriots 41 – Jaguars 24

– Daniel Lago