Will Bledsoe, Brunell return for playoff opener?

ALLTEL Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla.,
Sunday, Jan. 3

AT A GLANCE: Two teams with uncertain QB situations meet when the Patriots visit the Jaguars. Both New England’s Drew Bledsoe (broken finger) and Jacksonville’s Mark Brunell (high-ankle sprain) are questionable for the game.

With Patriot QB Drew Bledsoe and Jaguar QB Mark Brunell nursing injuries, the wild-card game between New England and Jacksonville is filled with uncertainty.

Bledsoe and Brunell are both, for the most part, proven commodities, but their backups are true wild cards.

Brunell, a notoriously quick healer, is recovering from a high-ankle sprain and is determined to play, even if a pain-killing shot is required. That’s good news for the Jaguars, who will have to rely on rookie Jonathan Quinn if Brunell can’t go.

Bledsoe hasn’t played since having surgery to have a pin inserted in his right index finger, which is broken in two places. If he can’t go, backup Scott Zolak will get the call. Zolak is an emotional, strong-armed player who runs hot and cold. He is capable of playing well, as he did when the Patriots knocked off the 49ers in Week 16 to clinch a playoff berth, but he is no sure thing.

These teams met in the AFC championship game in January 1997. Bledsoe and the Patriots knocked off the upstart Jaguars to earn a spot in the Super Bowl. That was Bill Parcells’ last win as New England’s head coach.

Pete Carroll, Parcells’ successor, has been under fire because of his team’s inconsistencies. While Carroll’s job status will not ride solely on the result of this game, a loss would leave him on very slippery footing.

WHEN THE PATRIOTS HAVE THE BALL:

If Bledsoe can play, the Patriots can create a balanced attack. But, if he is unable to play, then running the ball well becomes paramount. Rookie Robert Edwards is a good cutback runner who has shown the ability to gain yards after contact. He needs to run aggressively, because he is less effective when he hesitates. The presence of FB Tony Carter, who returned from an ankle injury last week, will help the running game.

The Patriots may find running room inside. C Dave Wohlabaugh, the team’s best offensive lineman, will try to open things up against a Jaguar defensive line forced to shuffle due to injuries. Run-stuffing DT John Jurkovic is still an anchor, but Jacksonville must find someone to play alongside him. Kelvin Pritchett is the most likely candidate.

Patriot WR’s Shawn Jefferson and Tony Simmons have the ability to make plays down the field regardless of who is doing the throwing, although Jefferson struggles to beat the bump at the line and could have trouble vs. physical Jaguar CB’s Aaron Beasley and Dave Thomas. Simmons has good speed and is hard to bring down, but he is not yet a precise route runner. TE Ben Coates and WR Troy Brown have a fine chemistry with Bledsoe but may not be as productive with Zolak at the helm.

The Jaguars need to protect their sometimes vulnerable secondary by pressuring the quarterback. DRE Tony Brackens has been a disappointment this year, but he has the ability to beat veteran OLT Bruce Armstrong. Jacksonville may also blitz OLB’s Bryce Paup and Kevin Hardy more than usual to create pressure.