Rams-Jaguars Preview

VIDEO PLAYLIST

• Countdown Daily Recap: Rams-Jaguars

SCOUTING REPORT

Rams-Jaguars: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Rams-Jaguars matchup. 1. The St. Louis Rams must come out throwing: The Jaguars got scorched by the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday and are ranked No. 30 in passing yardage allowed. As QB Marc Bulger regains his shoulder strength, the Rams will want to attack Jacksonville's defense through the air.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
STL	1-9	113	270	0-5	1-4	0-3	1-7
JAC	6-4	199	235	4-1	2-3	2-2	5-2
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

St. Louis Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Bulger 56.7 1469 5 6 Boller 57.0 481 2 3

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

St. Louis Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Jackso... 215 1031 4.8 3 Darby 11 57 5.2 0

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

St. Louis Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Avery 30 418 13.9 4 Burton 25 253 10.1 0

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

Full Player Stats: St. Louis | Jacksonville

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	STL	305.0
	JAC	354.0
Yards Passing	STL	185.6
	JAC	217.7
Yards Rushing	STL	119.3
	JAC	136.3
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	STL	385.1
	JAC	356.1
Pass Yds Allowed	STL	238.7
	JAC	244.0
Rush Yds Allowed	STL	146.4
	JAC	112.1

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Series tied 1-1
Oct 30, 2005	STL 24, @JAC 21

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.

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.

2009 NFL Power Rankings: Week 12

Week 12 of the latest ESPN.com NFL Power Rankings reveals a matchup of the Nos. 1 and 4 teams.

Mel Kiper Jr.: New Big Board (Nov. 25)

ESPN NFL draft Insider Mel Kiper ranks the top 25 pro prospects on November 25, 2009. Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh remains No. 1.

Rams QB Bulger out 3-6 weeks with broken leg

St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger will be sidelined 3-6 weeks with a fractured left leg sustained in Sunday's loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Scouts Buzz: Stafford growing up fast

Scouts Inc. examines Matthew Stafford's development, the Vikings' dynamic offense and more.

St. Louis Rams coach Spagnuolo mum on sale talk

If coach Steve Spagnuolo has any thoughts on the sale talks that suddenly are swirling about his new team, he wasn't interested in sharing them Tuesday after practice at Rams Park.

Rams keep focus on the job

The focus on the fields Tuesday at Rams Park was dealing with the first real heat during a practice this offseason, while also finishing preparations for the team's third, and final, spring minicamp later this week.

Video: If sold, will the Rams stay in St. Louis?

Dierdorf says, "It's going to be the Cowboys new $1.1 billion dollar stadium that's opening this year in Dallas.

As sale looms, Rams fans can do their part

If the Rams eventually move from St. Louis, it won't be because of the fans. The customers have stayed loyal during hard times, buying up about 95 percent of the seats at the Edward Jones Dome over the last two seasons.

Vobora now seen as relevant for Rams

A year ago at this time, Rams linebacker David Vobora was irrelevant, as in "Mr. Irrelevant," the last player taken in the draft.

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.