1st half analysis

Analysis from the first half of tonight’s game:

The tempo of the game is exactly where the Jaguars want it. The Jaguars have sustained drives on offense, and in turn, the Patriots have had just three possessions.

To beat the Patriots, this is the way to play.

Of immediate concern to the Patriots is their 3-4 defense. It is rare to see a team drive 95 yards down the field, finding considerable soft spots in both the run and pass games. The Patriots seem most vulnerable in the short areas outside the hash marks against the pass. The run game has been gashed up the middle.

The biggest play on defense came from Ty Warren, whose strip sack set up the Patriots’ second score.

Offensively, as expected, the Patriots have primarily spread the field in 3- and 4-wide sets. The Jaguars might have surprised New England by mixing its a few variations of its sub defense – playing some nickel (5 defensive backs) and some dime (6 defensive backs), with some three-man line. Still, the Patriots had success moving the ball on their three drives, scoring touchdowns on the first two and then having the third end in a missed 35-yard field goal. A big setback on the third drive came when right guard Stephen Neal was penalized for a chop block (it was actually Logan Mankins, but Neal was announced as the offender).

All in all, the Jaguars have to feel good about what they accomplished in the first half, mainly because of the tempo in which the game is being played. QB David Garrard has been excellent, outside of his one turnover.

The Patriots get the ball to start the second half. The margin for error in a game like this is thin. If the Patriots are to win, they’ll have to shore up their defensive weaknesses.