The Cardinals are now 4-6 after a heartbreaking loss in Houston. Next up, the Red Birds travel back home to defend the nest against the 7-3, AFC South-leading Jaguars.

The last time these two teams met was back in 2013, where the Cardinals were 6-3 and the Jags were 1-9. Boy, how things change. Let’s take a look at the matchup in this edition of Talking Touchdowns.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Offense

For Arizona, Blaine Gabbert’s debut as a Cardinal didn’t go as planned, but it wasn’t as bad as it could have been either. Gabbert went 22 for 34, threw for 257 yards, had a career high of three touchdowns and then it happened… two interceptions. It’s unfortunate that Gabbert’s solid performance was overshadowed by a poor fourth quarter with the two late interceptions, but luckily for Gabbert, he will get a second chance in week 12 against the team that drafted him. The Texans did a great job of making Arizona one dimensional and shutting down the running game, only allowing 48 yards! AP ALL DAY was actually AP, NOT TODAY with his 26 yards on the ground. The real star of the Arizona offense was, rookie Tight End Ricky Seals-Jones. Not only did he record his first NFL catch, but he also added two touchdowns to the day. Have a day, Seals-Jones!

Jacksonville is coming in hot on a current four game winning streak. The highlight on this offense is definitely not quarterback Blake Bortles, but I also thought that about Tom Savage and well…The real star is running back Leonard Fournette. The rookie out of LSU is tearing it up, even while dealing with a hurt ankle. Fournette had 28 carries for 111 yards in last week’s win against the Browns. Arizona’s front seven will be on red alert with Fournette in the backfield. Fournette is seventh in rushing in the NFL and fourth in rushing touchdowns.

Defense

I have been waiting all season long for this: Budda Baker time! This young safety was on fire in on Sunday in his first NFL start against the Texans and so much so that Pro Football Focus graded the rookie, out of Washington, a 99.9, with 9 tackles and three QB pressures on three pass rushes. Did Tyvon Branch just get Wally Pipped?

Jaguars

Cornerback Jalen Ramsey is all you need to know. You might remember Bengals WR AJ Green punching Ramsey a few weeks ago out of frustration. Well, that’s what Ramsey does. He frustrates and shuts down receivers. In last weeks win against the Browns, Ramsey was targeted 5 times giving up only 24 yards and he broke up his ninth pass of the season.

Game Prediction

Rise Up, Red. See and prove me wrong. I have picked the Birds to win all year long and they have let me down, so now i will try to reverse my curse. Jags win 24-20.

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Photo Credits:

• Arizona Cardinals on Wikimedia Commons by Moe Epsilon
• Jackson Jaguars on Wikimedia by SportsLogos.net
• Ricky Seals-Jones on Wikimedia Commons  by  Jeffrey Beall
• Blake Bortles on flickr by Keith Allison
• Budda Baker on Wikimedia Commons by  Jeffrey Beall
• Wally Pipp on Wikipedia by Bain News Service
• AJ Green on flickr by Nathan Rupert