Jaguars vs. Jets: Over/Under, Spread, Final Predictions, TV Info and More

There is no question that the New York Jets, led by quarterback Mark Sanchez and demonstrative coach Rex Ryan, will be the main focus when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday afternoon. The Jags are looking to return to AFC South supremacy, however, and are off to a good start at 1-0.

The Jets are trying to take the next step that Ryan so often talks about and reach the Super Bowl after two consecutive AFC Championship Game losses. The Jets took a step in the right direction by posting a comeback win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1.

The Jets hold the advantage thanks to a stout defense and fairly complete offense, although Shonn Greene and the running game failed to get going last week. Jacksonville's will lean heavily on Maurice Jones-Drew and attempt to take the pressure of quarterback Luke McCown.

The Jets are heavy favorites and seem to boast the superior team, but the Jags could certainly have a stronger squad than they've been given credit for to this point.

Watch: Sunday Sept. 18 at 1:00 p.m. EST (CBS)

Spread: New York Jets (-9)

Over/Under: 39

Prediction

While this game will feature two teams sitting atop their respective divisions with 1-0 records, the public perception of each team is quite different. The Jacksonville Jaguars outlasted their NFC South rivals the Tennessee Titans last week, but aren't considered to be much of a threat. With the Indianapolis Colts now back to reality thanks to Peyton Manning's injury, however, the Jags could be players in the division.

The Jets, on the other hand, have gone to back-to-back AFC Championship Games and are considered among the NFL's favorites to reach the Super Bowl this season. The Jets appeared headed for a Week 1 loss against the Dallas Cowboys, but a late-game surge that included a blocked punt for touchdown and final-minute pick of Tony Romo led to a victory.

Despite New York's supposed superiority, the Jaguars have a history of success against the Jets. Just two seasons ago the Jags upset New York at the Meadowlands by a score of 24-22. Although the Jets eventually rebounded and fell one game shy of the Super Bowl that year, Jacksonville had a formula to beat them.

At this point, the Jets are a much more experienced and polished team, though, particularly quarterback Mark Sanchez. While Sanchez has bee criticized for his regular season play, he proved last week that he is capable of carrying the offensive load on his back.

Trailing for most of the game, the Jets abandoned the run early in their game against Dallas last week and ran mostly four-wide receiver sets. Sanchez excelled and threw for 335 yards and two scores en route to victory.

The Jaguars leaned on star running back Maurice Jones Drew in their Week 1 win, due in part to the fact that the team surprisingly released longtime starting quarterback David Garrard prior to the season. This leaves unheralded game manager Luke McCown to call the signals under center.

If the Jets can shut down MJD and Jacksonville's running game, then things should go fairly smoothly for them. If the Jags can establish the run early, though, an upset could be in the making.

I bet on the Jets defense holding up and leading New York to a comfy 24-10 win over Jacksonville.