Jacksonville Jaguars: 8 Reasons the Jaguars Will Win at Carolina

It is only three weeks into the NFL season, and the Jacksonville Jaguars offense appears to be on life support.

While the running game is a pleasant surprise and the run blocking appears to be working with new faces in new places up front, it is the passing offense that continues to plague this team, so much so that rookie Blaine Gabbert will make his first regular-season start.

One can only hope Gabbert is given a playbook he is comfortable with and the transition from Luke McCown to the rookie will be as smooth as possible.

The Jags are still hurting at receiver, and there is no one out there to get in free agency (no, Randy Moss will not come here).

The only positives the Jaguars can look at coming into the weekend are that the Panthers have lost two of their starting linebackers to injury (Thomas Davis and Jon Beason) and that the run defense by the Jaguars is as stout as any in the league.

They still haven't proven they can stop anyone through the air, and with Cam Newton and the arm he has, look out!

Carolina looks primed and ready to finally get a win this coming weekend. But this is still the NFL and anything is possible. It would seem everyone outside the city of Jacksonville is chalking this game up as the first win of Ron Rivera's coaching career.

Here are eight reasons why the Jaguars will beat Carolina this Sunday in Charlotte.

8. Gabbert Doesn't Know Any Better

I know this sounds like a broken record, but if Gabbert doesn't know what to expect, then how can he plan for it?

Have him go out and be himself and make plays. He has a great arm and should be confident that he is a winner in this league even if he does not have any real experience under his belt.

Have him go out there like it was back in Missouri and see what the kid can do.

7. The Carolina Linebackers Are Hurting

Jon Beason and Thomas Davis are both out.

A steady diet of running up the middle for Jacksonville may help take the pressure off Gabbert and make the Panthers play their secondary closer to the line of scrimmage.

This will open some passing lanes for Jacksonville.

6. They Will Stick with What Works for Them

If there was ever a time to stick to their guns, the Jaguars know it is now.

A running game that sets up the pass and lots of Maurice Jones-Drew and Deji Karim will be just fine.

Jones-Drew should be happy with his workload this coming weekend.

5. They Will Not Allow Cam Newton to Beat Them

Easier said than done.

Newton has been the second best player out of the block in the NFL next to Tom Brady.

While he is electric and hurting (his foot was in a walking boot earlier this week), he is still a rookie. this means there is room for error.

Hoepfully he will not have another game like he has had the last two weeks against the Jags.

4. This Team Could Surprise You This Week

Wouldn't it be something if this team decides open it up on offense this week?

With New Orleans looming on the schedule next week, look for the Jags to either play conservative or light it up with more passing that we have not seen this season.

Gabbert has a golden arm. Let's see him use it.

3. The Secondary Will Play Better

The defense is facing a rookie at quarterback. This bodes well for them.

Look for Dwight Lowery to play with the first unit, as he practiced with the first team players this week in place of Courtney Greene.

The team may also get Derek Cox back this week. He practiced with the first team defense as well.

2. They Will Stop the Carolina Running Game

Carolina has some great running backs. But the Jaguars run defense has played well so far this season.

Look for that to continue.

1. After This Week, a Win Is What the Team Deserves

The changes made on the team were by the coaching staff. Then players have been in a state of flux most of the week.

For there to be a better feeling of what is happening, the best way to achieve some modicum of reality is to go on the road and play like there is no tomorrow.

The Jaguars' players owe it to themselves to prove they have not given up.