Behind Enemy Lines: Jacksonville Jaguars
Nov 11, 2013, 10:17 PM | Updated: Nov 17, 2013, 3:39 pm
The Arizona Cardinals pulled out an impressive home win over the Houston Texans to put themselves one game back of second place in the NFC West.
Led by strong defensive and special teams efforts, Arizona held on for a 27-24 victory over the short-handed Texans.
Next on the schedule looms the now 1-8 Jacksonville Jaguars. The previously-winless squad got the monkey off its back by topping the Tennessee Titans 29-27 on Sunday.
With Chad Henne at the helm and former first-round pick Blaine Gabbert on the bench, the Jaguars have shown some signs of life in recent weeks and will be looking to build on the win at home when they host the Cardinals in Week 11.
Jacksonville still ranks last in rushing yards allowed, second-to-last in rushing yards and 22nd in passing yards. No player on the team has more than three touchdowns this season, including quarterbacks.
Their last two first round picks, WR Justin Blackmon and OT Luke Joeckel, are both out for the rest of the year. Blackmon was suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy the second time, and Joeckel fractured his ankle shortly after the Jags traded their previous left tackle Eugene Monroe.
Simply put, the 2013 season hasn’t been kind to the Jaguars, leaving the Cardinals with a prime opportunity to grab a big road win come Sunday.
Here’s what is happening in Jacksonville ahead of the non-conference showdown.