Efficient Garrard gets job done

Three months ago, any debate about the NFL's best quarterbacks would not have included David Garrard of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He had spent most of his brief career as a backup.

Now, after Tom Brady and Tony Romo, who ranks third in the league in passer rating?

It's not Brett Favre, Peyton Manning or Ben Roethlisber-ger. It's not Drew Brees or Carson Palmer. It is Garrard, who has a rating of 104.7 and has thrown 11 touchdown passes to one interception.

Garrard has led the Jaguars (8-4) into playoff contention, and today he leads them against the disappointing Carolina Panthers.

"We see a distinctive edge for Jacksonville, which is in wild-card position in the AFC," said The Gold Sheet handicapper Chuck Sippl, who is siding with the Jaguars as 101/2-point home favorites. "Garrard has done a great job. He has been impressive with his accuracy. The Carolina defense has been down, and Jacksonville's running game will open it up for Garrard's play-action passes."

Running back Fred Taylor has topped 100 yards in the past two games for the Jaguars, who scored at least 24 points in each of their past six.

Garrard threw his first interception of the season in the fourth quarter of last week's 28-25 loss at Indianapolis. Jacksonville still is a game ahead of Cleveland and Tennessee in the AFC.

Sippl said the Panthers, who have lost five of their past six, are "fragile" with veteran Vinny Testaverde at quarterback.

Another reason to back the Jaguars, Sippl said, is the return of Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, who rejoined the team after a four-game suspension.

Sippl (goldsheet.com) offers The Gold Sheet's perspective on the rest of today's schedule:

• Dallas (-11) at Detroit: One of the key things in this game is Lions wide receiver Roy Williams is injured and won't play. The Cowboys defense will play hard, especially after the critical comments made by Jon Kitna. We'll side with Dallas, which has good chemistry right now.

• Miami at Buffalo (-7): The Dolphins have six losses by three points, so it's not like they are caving in every game. Miami has a rookie quarterback in John Beck. Bills running back Marshawn Lynch might be back but not at 100 percent. You have two crippled offenses, so the seven points might come into play. The 0-12 Dolphins are looking at the 0-14 Tampa Bay team of 1976, so they will be as motivated as a team can be when it's out of the race.

• New York Giants at Philadelphia (-3): Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb hasn't made it back from last year's knee injury, and the team has had spotty leadership with coach Andy Reid's problems off the field. Even if the Eagles win, they will have a hard time putting away the Giants.

• Oakland at Green Bay (-101/2): Light snow might fall in Green Bay, but it might not be a factor. The Packers are getting healthy on defense, and running back Ryan Grant has given them a lift. The Raiders run defense has been shredded on the road, allowing an average of 198 yards in the past four games. We'll lay the points with Green Bay, which is 12-3-1 against the spread in its past 16 games.

• Pittsburgh at New England (-101/2): Normally, we love the Patriots, but we're taking the Steelers. In two straight games, the New England defense showed its age and labored a bit. Pittsburgh has a physical offensive line and running game, and that will bother the Patriots. The Steelers are 12-6 in their past 18 as underdogs. It's no disrespect to the Patriots, but after two draining games, they are going to have problems putting away Pittsburgh.

• San Diego at Tennessee (Pick): The Titans are at home, and they're tougher against the run with defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth back. The Chargers have won back-to-back games and seem to be back to normal at 7-5, but they have been streaky. Tennessee is a tough, physical team that is well coached, and its receivers are starting to make plays.

• St. Louis at Cincinnati (-91/2): We liked the Rams if Marc Bulger was at quarterback. But Brock Berlin will start. Running back Steven Jackson has it going, and St. Louis has played well the past four games. We like the Rams.

• Tampa Bay (-3) at Houston: It looks like the quarterbacks will be Jeff Garcia for Tampa Bay and Sage Rosenfels for Houston. Rosenfels is a solid veteran. The Buccaneers are taking control of the NFC South, but they could be vulnerable because of their big lead in the division. The Texans have a good, young nucleus on defense, led by second-year end Mario Williams with 81/2 sacks. Take the home 'dog.

• Arizona at Seattle (-7): The Cardinals are 10-2-1 as underdogs, but they are banged up at wide receiver and are down four starters on defense. The Seahawks are in their best offensive shape of the year, with Shaun Alexander back and splitting time with Maurice Morris at running back. Lay the points with Seattle.

• Minnesota (-81/2) at San Francisco: The main thing Minnesota wants to do is contain 49ers running back Frank Gore. In a running battle, the Vikings have a big edge with Adrian Peterson, who is taking pressure off the rest of the offense. We'll go with Minnesota.

• Cleveland (-31/2) at New York Jets: We're taking the Browns. Their defense is not great, but their offense has come together better than anyone thought. They should be focused after last week's loss at Arizona. Cleveland's offensive line has been solid, and running back Jamal Lewis is showing he has something left.

• Kansas City at Denver (-7): The Chiefs have problems scoring, averaging 12 points in their past four games. But their defense plays hard, and this is a revenge situation. The Broncos are 3-11 against the spread in their past 14 at home. It's hard to lay the points with struggling Denver.

• Indianapolis (-9) at Baltimore: Who didn't like the Ravens' performance against New England on Monday? But that was a disappointing loss, and Baltimore has covered only two games all season. Peyton Manning will have success against the Ravens defense. We're siding with the Colts.

Compiled by Review-Journal sportswriter Matt Youmans.