FanHouse

To get you ready for week 11, FanHouse is previewing all this week's NFL games. Here is your San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars preview.

2007 Records:

San Diego Chargers: 5-4 (1st in AFC West)
Jacksonville Jaguars: 6-3 (T-2nd in AFC South)

Last Game(s):

Chargers 23, Colts 21.
Jaguars 28, Titans 13.

Last Meeting:

October 10, 2004. Chargers 34, Jaguars 21.

When the Chargers have the ball: You would think that Norv Turner would show a little more faith in LaDainian Tomlinson, but he's getting less than 24 touches per game. Norv has a lot of faith in Philip Rivers, whose play has taken a worse dive than a Portuguese soccer player. This Jaguars team has a reputation for shutting down strong running games, but it might also be vulnerable to teams running spread formations. That works for Norv, who doesn't know how to do anything else.

When the Jaguars have the ball: David Garrard is expected to return to the lineup this week, but really, it's all about the running game with Jacksonville. Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor are a strong one-two punch for the Jags, and even Greg Jones has scored two touchdowns last week. Having Garrard back behind center, though, will give the entire offense more confidence, because Garrard rarely makes mistakes.


The Edge: I like the Jaguars at home here. The Chargers can be vulnerable to the run, having given up 119.4 rushing yards per game (21st in the NFL) so far this season. They might try to force Garrard to throw, since he'll be rusty after sitting out with a high ankle sprain for so long, but that might be a mistake, since Garrard doesn't make too many mistakes.

Players to Watch:

1.) Tomlinson. If he averaged 27 carries a game for the rest of the season, he would still have less than 370 carries. He has yet to have more than 24 carries in a game this year. Will he get the carries today? And will he join Fred Taylor in the 10,000-yard club? He needs 91.

2.) Rob Meier. With Marcus Stroud still out on a steroid suspension, it will be up to Meier at defensive tackle to help the Jags stuff the run. It worked last week -- LenDale White had only 12 yards on 8 carries.

3.) Antonio Cromartie. I wouldn't expect another 3-pick game here, but he might give a rusty Garrard and his mediocre receivers a little trouble.

Notes:
David Garrard has not thrown an interception all season. Neither has LaDainian Tomlinson. I wonder who will have more TD passes this week.