By PFW staff
Jan. 7, 2008

If the Jaguars are going to pull off a monumental upset and beat the Patriots in the divisional round on Saturday in Foxborough, Mass., CB Rashean Mathis needs to come up big. Just like QB David Garrard is the most critical offensive player for the Jags, Mathis will be thrust into the defensive limelight. Mathis came up big in the Jags’ wild-card victory over the Steelers, picking off Ben Roethlisberger twice, returning one of the interceptions 63 yards for a touchdown. On Saturday, he has the unenviable task of covering All-Pro WR Randy Moss.

The vast majority of Patriots opponents have subscribed to the theory that Moss needs to be double covered. After he set a single-season NFL record of 23 TD catches, that concern is justified. The problem with double-covering him, however, is that the Patriots boast a trio of other receivers — Wes Welker, Donté Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney — that can break a defense’s will, as well. Welker, in particular, has been lethal. Welker tied Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh for the regular-season lead with 112 catches, providing the perfect option opposite Moss.

But in Mathis, the Jaguars boast one of the few cornerbacks who can keep up with Moss stride-for-stride. Mathis has not had as many big plays as he did in 2006 when he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl, but that is largely a function of quarterbacks opting not to test him. It’s certainly a gamble to play single coverage on Moss, but it’s likely a necessary gamble for the underdog Jags to take.

Mathis’ problem is that as athletic as he is, he tends to take too many risks in going for the interception. He’d be wise to abandon any thoughts of making the highlight-reel play against Moss, opting instead for a straight-up game. For as fast and savvy as Moss is, he lacks the strength of a Terrell Owens or Larry Fitzgerald, so if Mathis is in position to make a play on the ball, he shouldn’t get outmuscled.

Reserve safety Jamaal Fudge will also play a large role in this game. The second-year pro out of Clemson lacks the size of starting SS Sammy Knight, but has better range in coverage. He teams with rookie FS Reggie Nelson to give the Jags a pair of quick safeties capable of staying with the Pats’ stable of receiving thoroughbreds.