Cardinals-Jaguars Preview

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• Countdown Daily Recap: Cardinals-Jaguars

SCOUTING REPORT

Cardinals-Jaguars: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Cardinals-Jaguars matchup. 1. Arizona needs to handle a cross-country road trip: It is a rare occurrence for Arizona to be playing in Jacksonville. This is a team that historically has not handled East Coast road trips particularly well. Getting off to a quick start would go a long way in the Cardinals' favor, as Jacksonville lacks the big-play offense to excel in come-from-behind situations.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
ARI	7-3	250	197	2-3	5-0	3-1	5-2
JAC	6-4	199	235	4-1	2-3	2-2	5-2
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Arizona Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Warner 67.5 2718 20 11 Leinar... 68.0 119 0 1

Jacksonville Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Garrar... 61.8 2303 8 6 McCown 33.3 2 0 0

Arizona Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Wells 100 469 4.7 4 Highto... 102 430 4.2 5

Jacksonville Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Jones-... 194 926 4.8 13 Garrar... 50 218 4.4 2

Arizona Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Fitzge... 71 792 11.2 9 Boldin 51 612 12.0 2

Jacksonville Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Sims-W... 47 694 14.8 6 Holt 38 516 13.6 0

Full Player Stats: Arizona | Jacksonville

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	ARI	364.0
	JAC	354.0
Yards Passing	ARI	270.0
	JAC	217.7
Yards Rushing	ARI	94.1
	JAC	136.3
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	ARI	350.4
	JAC	356.1
Pass Yds Allowed	ARI	247.2
	JAC	244.0
Rush Yds Allowed	ARI	103.2
	JAC	112.1

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Series tied 1-1
Nov 27, 2005	ARI 17, @JAC 24

Led by Kurt Warner and his bevy of big-play wide receivers, the Arizona Cardinals boasted one of the most feared offenses in the NFL last season.

That offense wasn't much of a threat in the 2009 opener.

Warner and the Cardinals look to get on track Sunday when they visit the Jacksonville Jaguars, also coming off a disappointing offensive showing in their first game.

Arizona raised its 2008 NFC championship banner before last Sunday's game against San Francisco, but the offense that helped the team reach the Super Bowl was barely on display.

The Cardinals were third in the league in scoring (26.7 points per game) and sixth in total offense (367.7 yards) last year but were limited to 299 yards in a 20-16 loss to the 49ers. Arizona scored 16 points or fewer twice last season -- both after it had already captured the NFC West title.

"We're definitely too good to be having these kind of performances," said Larry Fitzgerald, who tied for the league lead with 12 receiving touchdowns last season.

Warner and Fitzgerald were instrumental to the dynamic offense a year ago but were unable to get in sync against a 49ers defense that disrupted the offensive line with several blitzes.

The 39-year-old Warner was under pressure most of the game, throwing two interceptions and getting sacked three times.

"We're just not meshing," said Warner, who was 26 of 44 for 288 yards and one touchdown. "We never seem to get into a rhythm. There always seems to be something to stop us."

With an ineffective Anquan Boldin playing with a sore hamstring, the 49ers were able to double-team Fitzgerald and keep him without a catch until the final seconds of the first half. Fitzgerald finished with six receptions for 71 yards, while Boldin caught one pass for five.

Arizona was also without No. 3 receiver Steve Breaston (knee), but he is expected to return this week.

With the wide receivers being shut down, Warner's chief target came out of the backfield.

Tim Hightower rushed for 15 yards on eight carries but caught a career-high 12 passes for 121 yards -- the most receptions by a Cardinals back since Larry Centers had 13 against St. Louis in 1996.

Arizona's offense will try to get things turned around against a Jacksonville team that allowed 365 yards to Indianapolis in Sunday's 14-12 loss.

The Cardinals will be facing a depleted defense that will be without end Reggie Hayward, who broke his left leg in the opener and will miss the rest of the season.

While Arizona's offense didn't do much to resemble last season's Super Bowl team last weekend, the defense limited San Francisco to 203 yards and held Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore to 30 yards on 22 carries.

If their offense struggles again this week, the Cardinals will likely need a similar effort against another top running back to be successful.

Maurice Jones-Drew amassed 1,389 yards from scrimmage a year ago and is the driving force behind the Jaguars' offense. He caught a team-high five passes for 26 yards, rushed 21 times for 97 yards and scored Jacksonville's only touchdown in the opener.

While Jones-Drew had a solid game, the rest of the offense didn't.

David Garrard passed for 122 yards for Jacksonville, which gained 228 yards and scored seven points on two trips into the red zone.

"Twelve points is not enough to win," coach Jack Del Rio said. "We need more production. We must be better across the board."

Turning things around at home might not be so easy.

Last season, the Jaguars went 2-6 at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, with Jones-Drew gaining 294 of his 824 rushing yards there.

Fewer people are going to be witnessing games in Jacksonville this year. With 17,000 less season-ticket holders than a year ago, there's a possibility that each home game could be blacked out on local television.

The Jaguars are 2-0 against the Cardinals. These teams haven't met since Jacksonville's 24-17 win in 2005.

Cards' Warner to have tests to determine status

Coach Ken Whisenhunt says he had a long talk with Kurt Warner on the flight home, and the quarterback was alert and upbeat following a blow to the head in Sunday's' victory over the Rams.

FBO: Week 11 Quick Reads

Football Outsiders apply their metrics to Week 11. Findings: Even when Wes Welker doesn't find the end zone, he's historic; Mark Sanchez isn't ready; DeAngelo Williams needs the rock more; and T.J. Houshmandzadeh may have saved Minny's season.

Waddle: Bears-Eagles report card

ESPNChicago.com's Tom Waddle hands out his grades for Bears-Eagles.

Warner hurt, but early play holds up for Cards

Kurt Warner threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns while building a 21-3 cushion, and the NFC West leading Arizona Cardinals hung on late, remaining unbeaten on the road with a 21-13 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

Sendlein played through pain in '08

It was surprising this off-season when the Cardinals opted not to try and upgrade their center position, given the occasional struggles of starter Lyle Sendlein in 2008.

Breaston blooms in Boldin's absence

Cardinals receiver Steve Breaston, seen here in action against the 49ers last season, is taking advantage of Anquan Boldin's absence in summer workouts.

The Risk Remains

Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald breaks the huddle during 11-on-11 drills Monday after coming down awkwardly on a catch earlier in the workout.

Fitzgerald OK after awkward catch

For a minute or two, it looked as if the first day of June would bring gloom to the Cardinals.

Boldin hires Condon as agent

Receiver Anquan Boldin has hired Tom Condon as his agent, replacing Drew Rosenhaus, who was fired last week.

Jaguars coach blasts Henderson for leaving workout because of 'minor' shoulder injury

RICK WILSON/The Times-UnionJaguars defensive tackle John Henderson grabs his left shoulder during an organized team activity session Monday at the practice fields adjacent to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.

Safety McCree set to rejoin Jaguars

DON BURK/The Times-UnionMarlon McCree , with San Diego in this 2007 photo, is set to return to the Jaguars.

After lost season, Jags seek how to put 'train' back on track

Among the league's most disappointing teams last season, the Jacksonville Jaguars never came close to meeting expectations as a chic preseason Super Bowl pick.

NewFull-speed ahead for Jaguars safety Nelson

RICK WILSON/The Times-Union Jaguars safety Reggie Nelson breaks up a pass intended for Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco during the Jaguars' 21-19 loss in Cincinnati on Nov.

Ex-Jaguar pleads not guilty to drug charges

Former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jimmy Smith pleaded not guilty to several charges Thursday including possession of cocaine and marijuana.