Footballica: Falcons Hungry For A Win Tonight

By Jason Catania

Game: Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9) at Atlanta Falcons (8-5)

Stadium: Georgia Dome

Date: Thursday, December 15

Time: 8:20 PM EST

JAGUARS PLAYER TO WATCH:

RB Maurice Jones-Drew

The default choice, but also a worthy one, Jones-Drew literally is the Jaguars’ offense. He’s gained an NFL-best 1,222 yards on the ground and 348 through the air for a total of 1,570 yards – No. 2 in football to Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens (1,622) – which means MJD has accounted for a ridiculous 43% of Jacksonville’s yards from scrimmage as an entire team. No other player comes even remotely close. In fact, Rice is second, but by comparison, the impressive 35% of the Ravens’ total offense he’s responsible for is dwarfed by MJD’s exploits. This will be a tough test, though, because Atlanta’s run defense is allowing only 95.2 yards per game, fifth-best in football. Then again, Jones-Drew, who’s notched 12 receptions for 142 yards and 3 TDs the past two weeks, could just as easily cut up the Falcons by catching passes out of the backfield.

FALCONS PLAYER TO WATCH:

QB Matt Ryan

Matty Ice has been hot of late. In the six games since the team’s Week 8 bye, he’s thrown 14 TDs against just 4 INTs, while averaging 298.5 passing yards per. In the seven games prior? Just 9 TDs against 8 picks and a mere 240.4 yards per game. Expect Ryan to focus on hitting his top two targets, WR Roddy White (75 catches, 965 yards, 6 TDs) and TE Tony Gonzalez (73, 812, 7), early and often, especially with stud RB Michael Turner battling a lingering groin injury that has slowed him in recent weeks. Jacksonville’s defense holds up much better against the pass, though, so Ryan will need to continue his late-season surge. That shouldn’t be a problem at the Georgia Dome, where Ryan is practically unbeatable at 24-4 in his 28 career starts.

JAGUARS X FACTOR:

Pass Defense

While the Jags sport a middle-of-the-pack rush defense (111.5 yards per game, 16^th overall), their better-than-you-realize pass D could give Ryan a few fits. Jacksonville is allowing only 190.8 passing yards per game, fourth-best overall and one of just five teams coming in at under 200. They’re also giving up just 19.4 points per contest, good for seventh-best in football. What this unit lacks in standout performers it more than makes up for with an all-around group effort, thanks to the likes of linebackers Daryl Smith, Paul Posluszny, free safety Dawan Landry and defensive end Jeremy Mincey. And if Turner is limited by his injury, that would only make things more challenging for the Falcons.

FALCONS X FACTOR:

WR Julio Jones

The rookie wideout has become Atlanta’s best big-play weapon, leading the team with 18.1 yards per catch. Although the No. 6 overall pick in the 2011 draft does have a tendency to disappear on occasion – he’s notched less than 30 yards in four of his 10 starts – Jones also has four games of 100-plus yards and a pair of outings with multiple scores, including last week against the Carolina Panthers when he snagged three passes for 104 yards and 2 TDs. While White and Gonzalez are the go-to guys, Jones could be the game-changer, if he and Ryan can connect on a deep ball or two.

Why This Game Is A Must Watch With Friends:

This post is sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings. You can find the company’s web site HERE and find them on Facebook and Twitter.