NFL Jacksonville Jaguars

Denard Robinson Will Be X-Factor For Jacksonville Jaguars In Week 10

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By @MWCompton

Denard Robinson Jaguars

Don McPeak-USA Today Sports

Since getting his first start of the season for the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 7 against the Cleveland Browns, running back Denard Robinson has provided the Jaguars’ offense a sorely-needed shot in the arm. With the Jaguars taking on the Dallas Cowboys across the Atlantic at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday, Robinson will once again be expected to carry the load out of the backfield for the NFL’s youngest team, and is the Jaguars’ X-factor in Week 10.

With Toby Gerhart failing to live up to expectations after signing with the Jaguars as a free agent in the offseason, Robinson is making the most of his opportunity as the go-to back for the Jaguars. The former quarterback turned ball carrier cracked the starting lineup in the Browns game due to an injury to Gerhart.

Averaging more than 100 yards per game since, Robinson continues to grow into the position and his outstanding play in the last three contests suggests he isn’t about to give up his place atop the depth chart anytime soon.

Robinson sparked the offense with 127 yards on 22 carries in the Jaguars’ win over the Browns. He amassed 108 yards on 18 carries the next week in a home loss to the Miami Dolphins, and racked up 94 yards in last week’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. For the season, Robinson has gained 423 yards on 85 carries (5.0 average) and has scored two touchdowns.

In his first three games as the featured back, Robinson has been more than effective. He has also flashed big-play ability with a 39-yard run last week and a 41-yard scamper against the Dolphins. Robinson should be able to take advantage of a Dallas defense that gives up big plays and ranks 17th in the league in rushing yards allowed (113.2).

The Cowboys are without leading tackler Justin Durant, who is sidelined for the season, and they might also be without linebacker Rolando McClain, who left last week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals with a knee injury.

The Cowboys have dropped their last two games and with quarterback Tony Romo nursing fractures in his back and DeMarco Murray, the NFL’s leading rusher, held to under 100 yards for the first time this season last week, Dallas enters the matchup with a host of question marks and potential distractions. It’s not the best sign when a team’s chances weigh heavily on the health of the opposing team’s quarterback, but that is the situation the Jaguars find themselves in on Sunday.

Defensively, the Jaguars possess one of the best pass-rushing fronts in the NFL. The aggressive front seven will have to continue making strides to rattle a fragile Romo (or backup quarterback Brandon Weeden), shut down the Cowboys’ passing attack and slow Murray for the Jaguars to stay close across the pond.

If the defense does its job, and the young Jaguars’ offense can establish the run behind Robinson with quality touches from Gerhart for insurance, the Jaguars may just be up to the challenge of handing the Cowboys their third straight loss.

Michael Compton is a Jacksonville Jaguars writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter at @MWCompton and connect with him on Google.

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