ESPN NFL Playoffs 2007

Updated: January 13, 2008, 1:22 AM ET

Jaguars' defense a disappointment

The Jaguars' running game struggled against the Patriots, but Jacksonville's defense cost it the game, Jeremy Green writes.

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By Jeremy Green
Scouts Inc.
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David Butler II/US PresswireJacksonville Jaguars defensive end Reggie Hayward tackles New England receiver Wes Welker.

The Jaguars lost Saturday, but they earned the respect of the Patriots and showed they are close to becoming a Super Bowl-caliber team. QB David Garrard showed that he is much more than a game manager as he once again got the best out of one of the NFL's worst receiving corps. After a poor performance last week against Pittsburgh, Garrard brought his A-game.

Although many will point to Jacksonville's poor running game as the reason it lost, the defense was the biggest disappointment. It was no secret coming into this game that this team's weak link was its secondary. Other than Rashean Mathis, there just aren't enough playmakers there. I think the biggest surprise in this game was the lack of blitz pressure and aggressiveness the Jaguars showed defensively. This is a team that has taken on the mentality of its coach, Jack Del Rio. But Jacksonville was passive against New England, and though the Jags avoided giving up a lot of big plays, they died a slow death. They simply were not able to run enough plays offensively.

The Jaguars needed to be the more physical team, but they weren't. Jacksonville is usually the intimidator in the trenches. The Jags were not intimidated by the Patriots, as some teams have been this season, but they also were not able to establish their will, which is always a big key.

The other factor that showed up is what always shows up for New England. It is the NFL's best-coached team. With an extra week to prepare, the Pats did an excellent job of mixing their seven- and eight-man fronts at the line of scrimmage, taking away the NFL's No. 2 run offense.

The Jaguars played a good game, but they needed a great game. The Patriots are two wins from being labeled the best team of all time. As they proved Saturday, it's going to take a perfect game to beat the perfect team.

Jeremy Green, director of pro scouting for Scouts Inc., has been an NFL scout for more than 10 years.