Jaguars vs. Falcons: Injured Jacksonville Can't Match Atlanta's Big-Play Threats

There are five reasons the Jacksonville Jaguars should be worried about tonight's game against the Atlanta Falcons.

And then, there is the Atlanta run defense, which could give Maurice Jones-Drew, the NFL's leading rusher, a problem tonight.

This is a must-win game for the Falcons, who at 8-5 on the season, are in the middle of the playoff hunt in the NFC.

For the Jaguars, this is another audition game for players, assistant coaches and interim coach Mel Tucker.

Oh, and there is that little thing about 27 Jaguars being placed on injured reserve this season.

The Jaguars' injury list looks more like a scene from Grey's Anatomy than a football team. Something has to give and despite playing some inspired football last week in a 41-14 win over the reeling Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team is still in the middle of its own struggles.

Questions abound, like who will play defensive back, who will rush the passer and does the defensive front, demoralized by continued injuries, have enough bodies to stop the burly Michael Turner when he is given the ball?

This game alone could be the one that helps Mel Tucker, 1-1 as a head coach, land the head job permanently in Jacksonville, or gets him some recognition as a candidate with another NFL franchise. A win like this sets the tone for what he can accomplish on the sidelines and what his team can do in pressure situations.

And, it means the Jaguars, 4-9 this season, would stand a better chance of finishing December strong instead of the two failed months in the past two seasons.

While there is really nothing riding on the Jaguars' season, everything is riding with the Falcons. They know they need to win and have some help in the playoff picture. They know their offense has been erratic at times. They know if they win out, they can help their own cause.

The Jaguars don't look like the intimidating defenders they were a month ago and now face the daunting task of Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez.

The test of a good team is being able to rise above adversity and challenge. With those kinds of weapons for the Falcons, will the challenge be too great or will the Jaguars be able to rise up again?