How the Eagles and Jaguars stack up

It should be strength vs. weakness for both the Eagles and the Jaguars on Sunday, so don't expect a 13-6 outcome, like the last time these teams met in a Jags victory on Oct. 29, 2006.

Both teams have offenses capable of explosive performances, and Eagles coach Andy Reid and Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio will be happy if their defenses simply keep the game close.

Here is a look at the teams:

Despite the offensive line's uneven performances the first two games, the Birds' backs and wide receivers have put up some pretty numbers. That is likely to continue Sunday against a shaky Jaguars defense.

Running back LeSean McCoy collected his first 100-yard game last Sunday against a Lions defensive front line that is Detroit's strength, and quarterback Michael Vick has been so effective both running and passing that projected starting quarterback Kevin Kolb will again be a spectator this week.

The scariest part for Jacksonville defensive coordinator Mel Tucker may be that, while wideouts DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are rolling along nicely, tight end Brent Celek has yet to become a key part of the Eagles' offense. If that happens Sunday, the Birds could put 40 on the scoreboard.

Look for McCoy to try to exploit the Jags' young linemen inside and Vick to try to pick apart the safeties over the middle.

We have to go with the defense this week. Sure, the offensive line has its share of issues, but the backs and receivers have compensated.

On defense, the ends have supplied pressure, but Jahvid Best rocked the Birds for 78 rushing yards and two touchdowns last Sunday.

The pass defense has been even more troublesome. The Birds were scorched for two TD passes by Lions backup Shaun Hill, and Hill ended with 335 passing yards. Ouch.

Jags quarterback David Garrard is no Joe Montana, but he's more accomplished than Hill and had one of the best days of his career in the season opener, when he passed for three touchdowns and had a 138.9 passer rating.

If the Eagles' defense - ranked last in the NFL in points allowed, with 59 - does not limit Garrard's success through the air and Jacksonville's talented running back, Maurice Jones-Drew, finds room to romp, it could be a 45-40 final score.

The Jags can score, but they have been wildly inconsistent.

Garrard and Jones-Drew had solid season openers in a 24-17 victory over Denver. Jones-Drew, a fifth-year player who made the Pro Bowl last season, collected 98 rushing yards on 23 carries and made three catches for 15 yards.

But 34 of those yards came in the fourth quarter as the Broncos faded, and Jones-Drew gained just 31 yards on 12 carries last Sunday in a 38-13 loss to the Chargers. It was the eighth time in the last nine games that he had been held under 100 yards.

Garrard, third in the NFL with a 70.5 completion percentage, had a similar experience. He faltered badly against the Chargers after playing great in the opener. If the Eagles can shut down Jones-Drew and make Garrard force his passes into coverage, this strength could turn into a weakness fast.

Like the Eagles, the Jags' defense has been burned by the big play.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns last Sunday, and only three NFL teams have allowed more than the Jags' 420 yards per game.

Jacksonville is also fourth-worst in the NFL in points allowed, with 55, and average passing yards allowed, with 300.

One thing the Eagles will have to watch with this group is turnovers. The opportunistic Jags have three interceptions and two fumble recoveries in two games.