Last meeting
In November 2003, Jimmy Smith caught 10 passes for 136 yards, including the game-winning touchdown, to lead the Jaguars past the Buccaneers, 17-10.
Streaks
These two teams have only played each other twice, splitting the two contests.
Last week
Jacksonville lost starting quarterback David Garrard in the second quarter with a sprained ankle and proceeded to suffer a 29-7 home loss at the hands of Indianapolis. The defeat snapped the Jaguars' four-game winning streak and dropped them into a tie for second in the AFC South. ... Tampa Bay could not turn its outstanding statistical output into points and fell at Detroit, 23-16.
At stake
With Garrard out for this game and maybe as long as four weeks, the Jaguars can ill afford to go into a nose-dive. The AFC South is so strong that a few losses could rapidly drop Jacksonville out of contention. The Jaguars do not want to put themselves in danger with a second straight loss. ... The Bucs have yet to lose at home this season, and given their struggles on the road they cannot afford to start doing so now. First place in the NFC South could also be at stake with division-leader Carolina playing the defending-champion Colts. If Tampa Bay wins and Carolina loses, the Bucs regain control.
Key matchup
Bucs running backs vs. Jaguars defensive front. Anchored by elite tackles John Henderson and Marcus Stroud, Jacksonville's rush defense is widely considered one of the best in the league. In its two losses, however, the group has done a disappearing act. During a season-opening loss to the Titans, the Jaguars surrendered 282 yards on the ground, and in Monday night's loss to the Colts, they gave up 141 rushing yards. Those two subpar efforts have dragged down what would be one of the top-rated rush defenses in the league to a ranking of 13th. On the other side, Tampa Bay's running offense has played just as inconsistently. They have rushed for over 180 yards twice but have also been held to 30 or fewer yards two times. With each side being so Jekyl and Hide, there is no telling what may happen Sunday.
Did you know?
With 36 receptions so far this year, Bucs wideout Ike Hilliard already has more catches through seven games than he did in either of his first two seasons with Tampa Bay.
