WASHINGTON — Coach Joe Gibbs knows the Redskins will have trouble matching the 31 points they scored against the porous Texans last week. The Jacksonville defense blanked the defending Superbowl Steelers and kept Payton Manning away from Marvin Harrison, even though the Jags still lost 21-14. Hungry to win again, Washington knows it’ll fight tooth and nail for every point.

"They’re a complete defense, aggressive, physical, and a lot of speed," says Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell, who sat out of practice due to an elbow cut, the same injury that forced those Jaguars to move onto Byron Leftwich. "Sometimes when you look at film, you can find an area of weakness to attack, but that’s not the case with the Jaguars."

"They’re as good a defense as we’re going to play all year," says offensive coordinator Al Saunders. "They have two real good tackles, corners and safeties, so it’ll be a real challenge for us."

While Washington wants to reestablish Clinton Portis, a huge reason behind their playoff push last season, the Jaguars third best overall defense clogs up running lanes with giant tackles Marcus Stroud (6-6, 306 lbs) and John Henderson (6-7, 325 lbs).

"It is a real concern playing a team like we are on Sunday. It’s a team that you have to get everything to go right to hang in with these guys," says Coach Joe Gibbs. "I don’t think anybody expects to have anything like we had in Houston against this defense...In this game we’ll have to play perfect across the board."

A-plus means Washington has to cut down on penalties, leading the league in the dubious category. Or put it another way, in last two weeks the Redskins have been flagged 23 times for 243 yards. The head coach takes it all in stride though.

"Other than a firing squad, we haven’t come up with anything," chuckles Joe Gibbs, borrowing a joke he heard from ex-Redskin John Riggins. "Most of the time, when we get a penalty, somebody is busting themselves to make a play, get out of position and grab a shirt. So, most of the time it’s not lack of effort, it’s too much."

Perhaps the Redskins earning its first win will take the edge off and play with less tension in their steps. The Redskins show more confidence this week after its first win because last season these core players ended the regular season with a five game winning streak.

"I feel like we just started and once you get one under your belt, it feels so much better. Everybody is saying, ‘Lets do it, we have a big game in front of us’. That one win is going to give us the burst we need," says fullback Mike Sellers.

At 1-2 on the year, three of the four teams the Redskins play before their bye week reached the playoffs last season. So, they understand how important it is to win at FedEx Field on Sunday and get back to .500 before the schedule gets tougher.

"The difference between 2-2 and 1-3 is huge," says the quarterback. "Fortunately we’re at home, unfortunately we’re going against one of the best teams in the NFL."

For quarterbacks Mark Brunell and Byron Leftwich, it’ll be a homecoming game.

Jacksonville’s leader was born and raised in crime-filled area in Northeast DC. He was a standout athlete at H.D. Woodson High School and says he’ll have almost 100 people come out to watch.

And it was those same Jaguars that Mark Brunell managed for ten seasons along with Fred Taylor and Jimmy Smith. He appeared in three Pro Bowls and led them to an AFC Championship game in 1996. Good times he admits.

Brunell maintains a permanent residence in Jacksonville, where he’ll spend his days after his career ends.

"I have some fond memories in Jacksonville, it’s where I got started, played on some good teams and had some good moments."