While the offense has improved from a year ago, Jacksonville's "D" has regressed. Entering the team's bye in Week Seven, the Jaguars had the 30th-ranked pass defense in the NFL. Safety Sean Considine, who missed the last three weeks with an injured groin, has been outperformed by Gerald Alexander, and might have lost his starting job. CB Rashean Mathis also has had his share of problems. "Mathis gambles too much trying to make interceptions," one team insider said about the former Pro Bowler. "In Seattle, he got caught peeking in the backfield, which a veteran CB should never do." Despite breaking his left index finger in Week Six — an injury the team does not believe is serious — Mathis will be counted on to play much better in the second half. Compounding the problems in the secondary is Jacksonville's insignificant pass rush. Tied for a league-worst five sacks in six games, Jacksonville simply does not have a legitimate threat to rush the passer, and likely will make acquiring one its top priority in next April's draft.

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