The biggest problem I see coming up for New England is defending the pass. With San Diego and other teams that are very run-heavy the Pats tend to let them get their run yards and jump down their throats in the passing game, however this is a very unique stable of WRs in Jacksonville and it may be much easier said than done. Matt Jones and Ernest Wilford are both upwards of 6′3, and their speed guy Reggie Williams is very dangerous coming out of the slot. Assuming Del Rio gives most of the snaps to Wilford and Jones and stays away from Dennis Northcutt then I can forsee Hobbs and Samuel having a real bitch of a time fighting those two guys for jump balls. Help from guys like Adalius and James Sanders is going to be key in shutting down the passing attack, but frankly I’m not too concerned with them running on us, the Pats bend but don’t break with run games like this, it’s the deep balls that are going to be an issue. Neither Jones nor Wilford is on the same level as say a Burress but they are big tall guys that can run and could give our corners fits.

Also I’m not sure what J-ville is going to do about our passing attack either. On paper it seems like the obvious choice would be to stick Mathis and a safety on Moss at all times and let Williams/Glenn/Cousin run with Stallworth and Welker, the only reason this seems obvious is because the Pats have had such consistent success against zone coverages this season.

This is going to be a very interesting match-up, and while the Pats are still the best team in the league by everyone’s standard, the rest of the NFL has most certainly adjusted to them. I expect any production from Maroney to be both a gift and an indication that the Pats have the game well in hand. We shall see.

Can the same thing be said about the Pats? If their passing game falters, do they have enough diversity to overcome?

The Jags have a mammoth D-line (even without Stroud), that can get after Brady and stuff the run with committing extra defenders. Mathis is a ball-hawk in the secondary. And if the weather turns sour this weekend, the Jags have an offense that’s better equipped to handle the elements than the Pats.

This team is not a flash in the pan or a trendy pick. They represent exactly what every “expert” out there says they do: the greatest challenge standing in the Pats way to 19-0. Recognize.

That said, the Pats have won three Super Bowls with guts and guile, and I trust they still remember how to win ugly. I say their front seven lets the Pats linger long enough for some late Brady magic. Pats 16. Jags 13 in an ugly one.