Last Updated on October 15, 2009 1:11 am by Anthony Rome
Rams at Jags Preview
Jacksonville, FL – It’s been a year since the St. Louis Rams won a game, but it might be the Jacksonville Jaguars who feel they have the most to prove this weekend.
The visiting Rams look to avoid extending the NFL’s longest current losing streak, while the Jaguars hope to bounce back from one of the worst losses in team history Sunday afternoon.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Jaguars –9.5 point spread favorites (View NFL odds) for Sunday’s game (Game Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 51% of bets for this game have been placed on the Jaguars –9.5 (View NFL bet percentages).
It’s nearing exactly one year since St. Louis (0-5) last won, 34-14 over Dallas on Oct. 19. Since then the Rams have dropped 15 in a row by an average of 17.5 points, and been outscored 146-34 in five games this season.
"This is extremely tough,” said guard Richie Incognito, after the Rams’ 38-10 loss to Minnesota last Sunday. "It wears on you, but to be a professional, you don’t let it show. You just keep preparing hard to go out and get a win.”
Though Jacksonville (2-3) isn’t in nearly as bad a situation, the Jaguars need to regroup after a 41-0 loss at Seattle last Sunday. It was the most lopsided defeat during Jack Del Rio’s seven seasons as coach.
"We’re not going to make excuses or try to figure it out," defensive lineman Terrance Knighton said. "We just have to move on. If you dwell on (last) week, then St. Louis will sneak up on you. We can’t let this game affect the rest of our season.”
That’s especially true as the Jaguars face three straight winless opponents – St. Louis, Tennessee and Kansas City – in their next three contests.
With emerging receiver Mike Sims-Walker and linebacker Quentin Groves inactive for off-field issues, the Jaguars suffered, especially on offense, at Seattle.
Jacksonville, which scored 68 points in beating Houston and Tennessee the previous two weeks, had seven three-and-out possessions, two fumbles and a failed fourth-down conversion on its final 10 drives against the Seahawks. David Garrard was sacked four times and fumbled twice. Maurice Jones-Drew ran 12 times for 34 yards and the Jaguars committed a season-high nine penalties for 73 yards.
While Sims-Walker – 19 receptions for 278 yards with three touchdowns in his last three games – apologized for violating an unspecified team rule and is likely to play, Jones-Drew questioned the team’s play calling and overall offensive game plan.
"We have to figure out a way to be consistent,” said Jones-Drew, who’s rushed for 330 yards on 75 carries and five TDs. "I don’t know what it is. We’re still trying to figure out what our identity is right now.”
Jacksonville’s Torry Holt, who caught a season-high seven passes for 95 yards against Seattle, hopes for another big effort when he faces his former team for the first time. Holt caught 74 touchdown passes while spending his previous 10 seasons with St. Louis.
Though the Jaguars are 0-2 all-time against St. Louis, they’re facing a team that hasn’t beaten an AFC opponent since a 20-0 win over Oakland on Dec. 17, 2006.
Marc Bulger, who missed two starts with a bruised rotator cuff, is expected to start this contest. After replacing the injured Kyle Boller against Minnesota, Bulger completed all seven of his passes, including a 27-yard TD throw to Donnie Avery.
Despite totaling a season-high 400 yards against the Vikings, the Rams committed four turnovers – three of them inside the Minnesota 10 – giving them 10 over the last three weeks.
"Right now I think that’s the only thing that’s separating us from winning games,” Rams defensive end Leonard Little said. "The mistakes we’ve been making, it’s something we’ve got to correct."
While St. Louis has struggled, running back Steven Jackson is fourth in the NFL with 451 yards after gaining 84 on 21 carries last Sunday.
Jackson gained 179 yards on 25 rushes in St. Louis’ 24-21 win over Jacksonville in the teams’ most recent contest Oct. 30, 2005.
Posted: 10/15/09 1:10PM ET