Bucs Vs Jags
With the Miami Dolphins dead in the water, either Jacksonville or Tampa Bay must step up as the new face of Florida football. Both were well on their way in September, but have each stumbled somewhat here in October. That includes respective losses last week with the Bucs falling to the Lions and the Jags getting outclassed by the Colts on Monday Night. However, the Jags loss hurt more - literally. In that 29-7 loss, QB David Garrard left with a sprained ankle. He is not expected to play here. That and homefield advantage combine to make Tampa a 3.5-point choice on the betting line. The total is currently at a very low 32 points.
If Garrard was still healthy, then this game would have pitted the only two starting QB's in the league to have not thrown an interception against one another. Bucs QB Jeff Garcia has yet to throw one to the other team this season.
Instead, the Jaguars likely will have to go with untested fourth-year quarterback Quinn Gray, who was dreadful Monday night. Gray finished 9-of-24 for just 56 yards and two interceptions. He had attempted just 21 passes in his first three seasons.
The prognosis on RB Maurice Jones-Drew (sprained kneee) is less definitive. He rushed for 52 yards on 13 carries and scored Jacksonville's only touchdown, which he set up with a 65-yard kick return.
While he has yet to throw an INT this season, a pair of costly miscues by Garcia hurt the Buccaneers in last week's 23-16 loss to Detroit. Garcia had not committed a turnover in his previous five games, but a fumbled snap at the Lions 1-yard line snuffed out one drive and a bobbled handoff set up Detroit's first touchdown. Those mistakes tarnished an otherwise superb effort by Garcia, who tied a team record with 18 consecutive completions and finished 37-of-45 for 316 yards and two touchdowns.
The injury woes continue to pile up for Tampa Bay. Already missing three running backs, Wide Receiver Mark Clayton suffered an ankle injury that is expected to sideline him for two weeks. One positive for the Bucs was the performance of running back Earnest Graham, who rushed for 92 yards on 19 carries and added 99 yards receiving on 13 receptions.
While these teams regularly meet during the preseason, they don't play too often during the regular year. When they do, it's been all Jacksonville, who has covered all three meetings.
However, the Jags are just 1-7-1 ATS the week after playing on MNF. Tampa Bay, on the other hand, is 5-1 SU/ATS when hosting AFC opposition.
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