THIS WEEK: One of nine undefeated teams in the NFL and alone in first place in the AFC Central Division, the Jacksonville Jaguars will attempt to start the season 4-0 for the first time ever when they travel to Nashville, Tenn. to face the Tennessee Oilers on Sunday. Kickoff will be at 12:00 noon CDT (1:00 p.m. EDT) in Vanderbilt Stadium.
The Jaguars will be going for their fourth straight victory on the road going back to last season, which matches a team record set in 1996 (two of the victories were during the playoffs). It is the second of back-to-back division games, the team's only division games in the first eight weeks of the season. Six of the final nine games will be against division rivals.
The Jaguars are 3-0 after defeating the Baltimore Ravens 24-10 last Sunday in Jacksonville. The Jaguars' victory and losses by the other four teams in the division leaves the Jaguars atop the division for the first time since the seventh week of the '97 season when they were 5-1. The Jaguars have won three straight games against the Oilers in three different stadiums, and they will be playing their first game in Nashville, the new home of the Oilers. The Jaguars have a 3-0 record for the second straight season and have now won 19 of their last 24 regular-season games going back to 1996. As a franchise, the Jaguars improved to 27-24 in regular-season play over four seasons. The Oilers lost on the road to the New England Patriots 27-16 and fell to 1-2 after an opening day win at Cincinnati and a loss at home to San Diego.
TELEVISION BROADCAST: The game will be televised regionally by CBS and locally by WJXT Channel 4. Ian Eagle will call the play-by-play and former Redskin Mark May will add analysis.
RADIO BROADCAST: All of the Jaguars' games are broadcast on WOKV (690 AM), WBWL (600 AM) and WKQL (96.9 FM) and the Jaguars Radio Network. Brian Sexton calls the play-by-play and former NFL quarterback Matt Robinson adds analysis. Sexton and Robinson are in their fourth season together. Robinson, Jennifer Kumik, Vic Ketchman, and Cole Pepper handle the pre-game show, and Pepper and ex-Oakland Raider Pete Banaszak do the post-game show. A total of 21 affiliates in four states on the Jaguars Radio Network will also broadcast the game.
THE OPPONENT: The Houston Oilers were a charter member of the American Football League, starting play in 1960. They won the first two AFL championships behind the passing of George Blanda to Charlie Hennigan, then lost the 1962 AFL title game and have not been back to a league championship game since then. Behind the running of future Hall of Famer Earl Campbell, the Oilers advanced to conference championship games in 1978 and '79. They struggled again for a period of years, then advanced to the playoffs every season from 1987 to '93, though losing in the first round of the playoffs five times and then falling to 2-14 in 1994. In 1995, they rebounded to a 7-9 record under head coach Jeff Fisher, then went 8-8 in both '96 and '97. The Oilers moved to Tennessee last year and played in Memphis for a season before moving to Nashville this season. They will play their 1998 home games in Vanderbilt Stadium while their new stadium is being built.
THE SERIES: The Jaguars hold a 4-2 lead in the series after having swept both games in 1997. Every game in the series has been decided by eight or fewer points, and the first five were won by the road team. The Oilers won 10-3 in the Jaguars' inaugural game in 1995, and then the Jaguars got their first win in franchise history on October 1, 1995 by a score of 17-16 in the Astrodome. In 1996, the Oilers won 34-27 in Jacksonville, and the Jaguars won 23-17 in the Astrodome. In '97, Jacksonville won 30-24 in Memphis' Liberty Bowl on November 2, and two weeks later won 17-9 at ALLTEL Stadium, giving them three straight wins in the series.
THE LAST TIME: The Jaguars won their eighth game of the 1997 season when they defeated the Tennessee Oilers 17-9 at ALLTEL Stadium on November 16. It was the Jaguars' 12th straight victory at home. Mark Brunell threw a TD pass to Keenan McCardell and Natrone Means ran for a one-yard score to lead the Jacksonville win. It was Jacksonville's first win ever over the Oilers at home. The Jaguars balanced their attack with 103 yards rushing and 249 in the air, as Brunell totalled 267 yards. Jimmy Smith had his fifth 100-yard receiving game of the season, as he caught eight passes for 158 yards. The Jaguars held an opponent under 10 points for the first time since the 1996 season opener (Pittsburgh, 9 points) and only the second time ever.
A JAGUARS VICTORY OVER THE OILERS WOULD: Be the first time they have started a season 4-0 and give them their best start ever. It would also be their fourth straight road win and their 20th victory in their last 25 regular-season games dating back to 1996.
INJURY UPDATE: Injured in the Baltimore game were: RB James Stewart (sprained left knee) and MLB Bryan Schwartz (sprained right knee). Still recovering from injuries are: LB James Hamilton (ankle), DE Tony Brackens (ankle), DT Seth Payne (shoulder) and DE Jabbar Threats (knee). The status of all injured players will be updated during the week.
THE COACHES: Jacksonville head coach Tom Coughlin has led the Jaguars to the playoffs each of the last two seasons, a first for an NFL expansion team. In 1997, the Jaguars finished 11-5 and lost the AFC Central Division championship on the fifth tiebreaker to Pittsburgh. The Jaguars were defeated by Denver in the Wild-Card playoffs. In their second season in 1996, the Jaguars advanced all the way to the AFC Championship game, finishing the regular season in second place in the division with a 9-7 record. In the playoffs, the Jaguars upset the Bills and Broncos on the road before losing at New England. In 1995, Coughlin's Jaguars finished with four victories in their inaugural season. He became head coach of the Jaguars on February 21, 1994 following three successful seasons as head coach at Boston College. Coughlin compiled a record of 21-13-1 from 1991 to '93 at Boston College, and had two appearances in bowl games and a ranking of 13th in the final AP poll of 1993. A veteran of 27 years of coaching, he was previously an NFL assistant coach with the New York Giants (wide receivers, 1988-90), Green Bay Packers (wide receivers and passing game coordinator 1986-87) and Philadelphia Eagles (wide receivers, 1984-85). He has a record of 27-24 during the regular season and 2-2 in the postseason.
While moving to a new home in Tennessee, Jeff Fisher led the Oilers to an 8-8 record in 1997 for the second consecutive season. Despite playing in front of sparse crowds, the Oilers went 6-2 at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis. In his first full season as head coach, Fisher guided Houston to a 7-9 record in 1995. He was named head coach for the final six games of the 1994 season, taking over a team that finished 2-14 (1-5 under Fisher). He began 1994 as Houston's defensive coordinator. Despite the Oilers' record, Fisher's 1994 defense was the best in the AFC against the pass. Fisher coached defensive backs for the San Francisco 49ers (1992-93), and he was defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams (1991). Fisher, who played for Buddy Ryan in Chicago, also coached for Ryan with the Philadelphia Eagles (1986-1990). Fisher was defensive backs coach from 1986-88 before becoming the youngest defensive coordinator in the NFL in 1989. He has a record of 24-27.
COACHING DIVISION VICTORIES: Three games into the 1998 season, the Jaguars' Tom Coughlin is fifth among all current NFL coaches with a .640 winning percentage (16-9) in division games. The leaders are Bill Cowher (31-12, .721 with Pittsburgh), Marty Schottenheimer (72-30, .706 with Cleveland and Kansas City), Mike Holmgren (35-15, .700 with Green Bay) and Mike Ditka (61-32, .656 with Chicago and New Orleans). Philadelphia's Ray Rhodes (15-10, .600 with Philadelphia) is sixth.
JACKSONVILLE-TENNESSEE CONNECTIONS: Two Oilers played for the Jaguars: QB Steve Matthews, who, while subbing for the injured Mark Brunell and Rob Johnson, led the Jaguars to their largest margin of victory in a 40-13 triumph over the New York Giants on September 7, 1997. He was the Jaguars' third-string quarterback the remainder of the 1997 season and was waived in the '98 preseason. LB Eddie Robinson started 28 games for the Jaguars in 1996 and '97, making 326 tackles to lead the team. Ironically, Robinson was acquired from the Oilers as an unrestricted free agent in 1996. He was released by the Jaguars on August 30. … Jaguars secondary coach Perry Fewell was the assistant head coach/secondary coach at Vanderbilt from 1995 to '97. … Two Jaguars are from the state of Tennessee: QB Jonathan Quinn (Nashville, Middle Tennessee State) and RB James Stewart (Morristown, University of Tennessee). CB Dave Thomas also played at the University of Tennessee … Four Oilers are from the state of Florida: PK Al Del Greco (Coral Gables), DE Kenny Holmes (Vero Beach, University of Miami), and DE James Roberson (Lake Wales, Florida State) and CB Samari Rolle (Miami, Florida State). Also, C Kevin Long attended Florida State …Jaguars offensive coordinator Chris Palmer coached the Oilers receivers from 1990 to '92. Jaguars CB Deon Figures and S Chris Hudson were coached at Colorado by Oilers defensive backs coach Greg Brown … Jaguars outside linebackers coach Lucious Selmon and Oilers defensive line coach Rex Norris both coached under Barry Switzer at the University of Oklahoma. Norris was also the defensive line coach at the University of Florida in 1988 and '89 … Jaguars LB Kevin Hardy was coached at the University of Illinois by Oilers linebackers coach O'Neill Gilbert. … Offensive line/tight ends coach George Henshaw coached at Florida State from 1976 to '82 … Jaguars head coach Tom Coughlin coached in Philadelphia with Oilers strength and rehabilitation coach Steve Watterson …Jaguars S Travis Davis and DT/DE Renaldo Wynn played at the University of Notre Dame with Oilers P Craig Hentrich … Jaguars P Bryan Barker played at Kansas City with Oilers WR Willie Davis and QB Dave Krieg … Jaguars defensive coordinator Dick Jauron was on the staff at Green Bay at the same time Al Del Greco was Green Bay's placekicker … Jaguars TE Rich Griffith played with Oilers CB Darryll Lewis at the University of Arizona …Jaguars G/OT Brian DeMarco and DE Jabbar Threats were both a teammate of Oilers WR Derek Mason at Michigan State … Jaguars G/OT Todd Fordham was teammates with Oilers C Kevin Long, DE James Roberson and CB Samari Rolle at Florida State … Jaguars WR/KR Reggie Barlow was a redshirt freshman at Alabama State when Eddie Robinson was a senior in 1991 … Jaguars RB James Stewart was teammates at Tennessee with Oilers WR Joey Kent and OT/G Jason Layman … Jaguars LB Kevin Hardy played with Oilers OT Brad Hopkins and LB Dennis Stallings at the University of Illinois … Jaguars WR Jimmy Smith and CB Dave Thomas both played at Dallas with Oilers C Mark Stepnoski.
JAGUARS VS. OILERS: Mark Brunell has played in all six games between the two teams, with four starts (3-1) and six finishes. He has completed 91 of 142 passes (64.1 percent) for 982 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. James Stewart has played in five games (missing one with a toe injury in 1996), with 58 carries for 217 yards and one TD. In the last four games, WR Keenan McCardell has caught 20 passes for 254 yards and two TDs and one 100-yard game. Jimmy Smith has played in all six games but not as a receiver in the first two. He has 20 catches for 279 yards and one TD and one 100-yard game. Mike Hollis has kicked 11 field goals in 14 attempts and scored 45 points in six games. In four games over his first two seasons with the Oilers, Oilers RB Eddie George has 288 yards on 68 carries and three TDs, but he has been held to 145 yards on 51 carries in the last three games. In three starts, Steve McNair has completed 45 of 81 passes (55.6 percent) for 519 yards, one TD and four interceptions. He was just 8 of 22 for 162 yards and two interceptions in the last game. When Oilers WR Yancey Thigpen was with the Steelers from 1995 to '97, he played in five games against the Jaguars and caught 31 passes for 575 yards and four TDs, with two 100-yard games. PK Al Del Greco has 38 points in six games and connected on 9 of 14 field goal attempts.
NEXT GAME: After playing Tennessee, the Jaguars will have their open week of the 1998 season. Their next game will be Monday night, October 12 vs. the Miami Dolphins at ALLTEL Stadium. It will be the Jaguars' second appearance ever on ABC's "Monday Night Football." The Jaguars and Dolphins have never played during the regular season, although they did meet during the 1995 preseason, with Jacksonville getting its first victory ever 24-21 on August 4, when Scott Sisson kicked a 32-yard field goal with one second remaining in the game.
LAST WEEK: Coach Tom Coughlin called it the team's best defensive game ever, but it was the Jaguars' offense that piled up the numbers, as the Jaguars won their third game of the season in defeating the Baltimore Ravens 24-10 at ALLTEL Stadium. Rookie Fred Taylor replaced an injured James Stewart and contributed a combined 213 yards rushing and receiving, and Mark Brunell passed for 376 yards - the third-most in team history - as Jacksonville rolled up 519 yards on offense, their second most ever.
Taylor opened the scoring with a 52-yard touchdown run that is the team's longest run ever, and then Jimmy Smith caught a 72-yard TD pass that is now the team's longest scoring pass ever. Brunell also tossed a one-yard TD pass to Damon Jones and Mike Hollis added a 34-yard field goal for the Jaguars' scoring. The Jaguars held the Ravens to just one touchdown (a 56-yarder with two missed tackles) and a field goal and 313 total yards - only 123 of them in the second half and 94 of those on their final drive that ended on the Jacksonville three-yard line. The Ravens had eight three-and-outs in the game, and punted 10 times, a record for a Jaguars opponent. Other than their touchdown, they drove into Jaguars territory only two times.
NOTES FROM THE RAVENS GAME: The Jaguars are off 3-0 for the second straight season … The Jaguars' 519 total yards were the second most in team history (the record is 538, set on 10/20/96 at St. Louis). … The Jaguars have had a running back rush for more than 100 yards in all three games this season, a team first. Prior to this year, no running back ever had back-to-back 100-yard games in the regular season (Natrone Means did it in the 1996 playoffs). … Jacksonville also had 154 yards rushing, their second most this year and sixth most in four seasons. … For the first time this season, the Jaguars had more first downs (20 to 11), more yards (519 to 313) and more time of possession (33:51 to 26:09) than an opponent … The Jaguars converted only 4 of their 14 third-down attempts (29 percent) but held the Ravens to 2 of 15 (13.0 percent). … The Jaguars had a team-record five plays from scrimmage of more than 30 yards and now have six for the season. In 1997, the Jaguars had 22 plays of 30-plus yards; in 1996, they had 26 plays of 30-plus yards; and in 1995 they had 12 30-plus plays.
INDIVIDUAL SUPERLATIVES: With 128 yards rushing, Fred Taylor became the first Jaguars rookie to rush for a 100 yards in a single game, and he set the team record for most yards rushing in a regular-season game (the previous record was 115, set by James Stewart two weeks earlier at Chicago.). Taylor's 52-yard touchdown run in the first quarter is the longest run in team history for a regular-season game. It was also the first touchdown of his career. Taylor's 213 combined yards (128 rushing, 85 receiving) ranks second all-time in Jaguars history (Keenan McCardell had 232 yards -all receiving - on Oct. 20, 1996 at St. Louis. Taylor had nine receptions, one off Pete Mitchell's rookie record set in 1995. … With 376 yards passing, Mark Brunell recorded the 12th 300-yard passing game of his career and the third-highest, single-game passing-yardage mark in team history (the top two totals are 432 yards on 9/22/96 at New England and 421 yards on 10/20/96 at St. Louis, both by Brunell. … Jimmy Smith's 72-yard TD reception in the third quarter was the longest TD reception in Jaguars history, breaking Randy Jordan's 71-yarder at Cincinnati in 1995. Smith's 116 yards (on two catches) marked the 11th 100-yard receiving game of his career (extending his team record). Smith now has a receiving touchdown in three consecutive games, tying the team record. The record is shared by Smith (1995), Cedric Tillman (1995) and Pete Mitchell (1997). … Keenan McCardell had 108 yards (on eight receptions) for the ninth 100-yard game of his career (eighth as a Jaguar). … Smith and McCardell both had 100-yard receiving games in the same game for only the third time ever. … Chris Hudson's interception in the fourth quarter was the sixth of his career and a Jaguars all-time record. He previously shared the record of five interceptions with Deon Figures.
Reggie Barlow returned six punts for 81 yards, including a 48-yarder that is the fourth longest in team history. … S Donovin Darius led the team with 12 tackles (8 solo), and LB Kevin Hardy had 10 tackles (6 solo). … Fernando Smith had his first sack as a Jaguar and the 17th of his career, and Kelvin Pritchett had the 25th of his career. … With their starts, Mark Brunell and Tony Boselli broke the team record for career starts as a Jaguar, each making his 43rd start. The previous record was 42, by Dave Widell from 1995 to '97. … Game balls went to RB Fred Taylor and QB Mark Brunell (offense), CB Dave Thomas (defense) and P Bryan Barker (special teams). … The Jaguars had one turnovers and one takeaway, leaving them plus-one for the season. … The only players who dressed but did not play were QB Jamie Martin and G Rich Tylski … Friday's inactives were: LB James Hamilton, DE Tony Brackens, DT Seth Payne and DE Jabbar Threats; Sunday's inactives were: QB Jonathan Quinn (third QB), CB Kevin Devine, C John Wade and G/OT Jeff Novak. … Jaguars captains were OT Tony Boselli, C Quentin Neujahr, CB Dave Thomas and DT Renaldo Wynn.
FROM COACH TOM COUGHLIN ON THE RAVENS GAME: "It was a big win because everybody in our division lost today. I think it was our best game defensively, (but) not offensively. The third quarter was a big momentum swing. I was disappointed because the ball was on the six-yard line and we had a chance to take a three-touchdown lead and we got a field goal blocked. That has not happened much around here. But the defense played outstanding football against a very talented offensive team. Our special teams made a very significant contribution throughout the game."
(on Fred Taylor) "He did an outstanding job. Coming in to the game he didn't know how much he was going to play, but we had the unfortunate injury to James (Stewart) and he played really, really well. I saw some outstanding things from Fred. He's a rookie, and he had a lot of statistical yardage, both run and pass. It was an outstanding job. In training camp, he showed the ability to catch the football. I really was pleased with the way he played last week with his powerful running at the end of the Kansas City game. When Fred went into the game, we stayed with the (game) plan the way it was, and he went out and was able to do that and have a big night."
(on the defense) "It did an outstanding job to keep them out of the end zone, and that's what we've done all year, and I'm really proud of that. Our objective is always to stop the run and get people in a passing mode, and we did a job with that."
(on the play of the secondary) "We've had outstanding contributions across the board. Donovin (Darius) continues to learn on the job. He made one error today on that deep crossing route to (Eric) Green where the scramble hurt us. But Chris Hudson has played outstanding back there. His play on the deep ball with Jermaine Lewis in the first half was an outstanding play. We're getting some confidence. We're very aggressive. We're making good solid contact after the ball is caught, and many time the ball comes out for an incompletion. I thought our pressure was better today."
FROM QB MARK BRUNELL: (on Fred Taylor) "Fred showed in preseason and last week that he certainly has some talent. For him to come and contribute and play the way he did says a lot. I was really impressed. All of us on the team are very pleased. But you have to give a lot of credit to the offensive line; they're very physical, very aggressive. We have a good run scheme. It was our day and we were able to do some things. What happened was their safeties came up early to stop the run and we were able to get some down-the-field throws and some big plays. And, because we were throwing the ball, they backed off a little bit and we ran the ball.
(on so many people getting the ball) "That's very important for us. The first and second week we were very concerned that Keenan and Jimmy were getting all the throws. Well, Pete (Mitchell) caught a nice ball today, I was able to go to the backs today, and particularly Fred did a nice job. The more we can involve the other guys and it not just be Jimmy and Keenan catching all the passes, that's going to help us. Hopefully we can build on that."
FROM WR JIMMY SMITH: (on whether the team is making a statement with their play) "We're really not making a statement. We're past that now. We're getting all the attention we need in the league and we have the pressure, so we just have to go out and play tough, sound, physical football."
(on Mark Brunell) "That's why he is who he is. Mark Brunell is one of the best quarterbacks in the league right now. We're just fortunate as receivers to have a quarterback like Mark. Hopefully, he'll continue doing as well as he's doing."
MILLER LITE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: The Jaguars' nominee for the Miller Lite Player of the Week Award is RB Fred Taylor, who had 213 total yards (rushing and receiving) and a touchdown in the Jaguars' 24-10 victory over Baltimore. Playing in relief of an injured James Stewart, Taylor rushed 23 times for a team-record 128 yards (5.6-yard average) and a 52-yard TD run that also set a Jaguars record for longest scoring run. Taylor also led the team with nine receptions for 85 yards, including a 41-yarder.
In last year's AFC playoffs, Barlow also returned three kickoffs for 118 yards, with a 52-yarder. In addition, rookie Tavian Banks returned a kickoff 65 yards in Week 2 against Kansas City.
. . . WITH THE THIRD-BEST RECORD AT HOME . . . The Jaguars have gone 7-1 at ALLTEL Stadium each of the last two seasons and are 2-0 this year, which gives them a 16-2 record, the third-best mark at home in the last three seasons. The Jaguars have lost only one home game since the second week of the 1996 season and have won 17 of their last 19 home games dating back to December 24, 1995, in their inaugural season.
. . . AND THIRD-BEST RECORD ON THE ROAD . . . The Jaguars are one of only six NFL teams with a better than .500 record on the road dating back to November 24, 1996. The Jaguars' 7-4 record away from home during that time is tied for the third-best mark in the NFL.
TWO TERRIFIC TANDEMS: Jaguars wide receivers Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith have each had consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, and they seek to join Minnesota's Cris Carter and Jake Reed as the only duos in NFL history to reach the milestone for three straight seasons. Carter and Reed have each compiled 1,000-yard receiving seasons for four consecutive seasons, and they can extend their record to five in 1998.
BRUNELL'S TOUCHDOWN TARGETS: Mark Brunell has thrown 57 TD passes in four seasons in Jacksonville. Here are the 13 players who have caught them: Jimmy Smith (13), Willie Jackson (10), Keenan McCardell (8), Pete Mitchell (6), James Stewart (5), Damon Jones (3), Ernest Givins (3), Cedric Tillman (3), Andre Rison (2),Derek Brown (1), Ty Hallock (1), Desmond Howard (1), Natrone Means (1).
WHERE THEY'RE FROM: The 53 players on the Jaguars' 1998 opening day roster were born in 25 different states and the District of Columbia, as well as three foreign countries. California leads the way with eight players on the Jaguars.
Here's where the 1998 Jaguars were born: 8 - California; 4 - Illinois, Michigan, Texas, Virginia; 3 - Florida; 2 - Georgia, Iowa; Ohio; Pennsylvania, Washington D.C.; 1 - Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and Utah. The only Jaguar who was born in a foreign country is DT John Jurkovic (West Germany).
JAGUARS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS: Through three games, the Jaguars rank 5th in the NFL in total offense (4th rushing, 11th passing), and they rank 17th in defense (10th rushing and 21st passing). … The Jaguars' offense ranks 11th in the NFL in third down percentage (17 of 40, 42.5 percent) and the defense is third in opponent's third-down conversions (10 of 39, 25.6 percent). … The Jaguars' plus-1 difference in turnovers-takeaways is tied for seventh in the AFC and tied for 11th in the NFL. … RB James Stewart is tied for third in the AFC with three touchdowns … Mike Hollis ranks 10th in the AFC in scoring with 15 points. … QB Mark Brunell is second in the AFC in passing with a 101.2 rating, the highest of his career. … WR Keenan McCardell is fifth in the AFC with 16 catches, and Jimmy Smith is tied for sixth in the AFC with 15 receptions. Smith's 263 yards is 1st in the AFC and third in the NFL, and McCardell's 194 yards is 13th. … James Stewart is 10th in the AFC with 217 yards rushing. … Fred Taylor is 15th in the AFC with 174 yards rushing … In AFC total yards from scrimmage, Smith is 10th with 263 yards, and Stewart and Taylor are tied for 11th with 259 yards… Reggie Barlow leads the AFC with a 19.9-yard punt return average.
1998 STATS AND SUCH: The Jaguars have outscored their opponents in the first quarter (14-6) and third quarter (28-3) and have been outscored in the second quarter (17-23) and fourth quarter (10-17).... The offense has used two different starting lineup combinations in the three games, while the defense has had a different starting lineup in all three games.... Of the Jaguars' 58 completed passes this season, 33 have been to wide receivers, 6 to tight ends and 19 to running backs.... Jaguars opponents have begun 12 possessions inside their own 20, and they have scored on only one of those drives (1 FG). The Jaguars have begun 8 possessions inside their own 20, and they have scored on 2 of them (2 TD). On drives inside the opponent's 20, the Jaguars have scored six TDs and two FGs in 12 trips. Their opponents have scored 2 TDs and 5 FGs in eight trips.... The Jaguars have used turnovers to score 10 points, while their opponents have scored 6 points off turnovers.... In four seasons, the Jaguars are 7 for 11 on two-point conversions, while their opponents are 2 for 8 (neither has attempted one so far this year).... The Jaguars have not attempted any fourth-down conversions; their opponents are 3 of 4 this season.
The Jaguars have not allowed an opposing player to rush for 100 yards in the last 14 regular-season games. That is the third-longest active streak in the league, behind Pittsburgh (20 games) and San Francisco (17).... In three seasons, the Jagua,s are 1 -0 in August, 7-8 in September, 6-7 in October, 6-5 in November and 7-4 in December.... Mark Brunell is 24-19 as a sta~ter in regular-season games, 26-21 overall.... The average age of the 53-man roster as of September 21 was 26.21 years old. There were 22 players 25 or younger, 25 players between 26 and 29 years old, and six players 30 or older. The youngest player is RB Fred Taylor (22 years, 2 months), and the oldest is P Bryan Barker (34).... Eight rookies are on the roster, including eight of the 11 draft choices (RB Fred Taylor, S Donovin Darius, CB Cordell Taylor, QB Jonathan Quinn, RB Tavian Banks, C/G John Wade, DE Lamanzer Williams and WR Alvis Whitted) ... More than half of the players (35) have four years or less of NFL experience, and only 5 players are in their eighth season or more.... There are 13 players who are new to the team this year, and 40 who were with the team before this year. In addition to the eight rookies, the other five new players are C Quentin Neujahr (restricted free agent from Baltimore), LB Bryce Paup (unrestricted free agent from Buffalo), and QB Jamie Martin and DEs Fernando Smith and Eric Curry (veteran free agents).... The Jaguars have 11 players who were first-round selections in the college draft, including six of their own picks: DE Jeff Lageman, who is on l.R. (1989, New York Jets), DT Kelvin Pritchett (1991, Dallas Cowboys, but traded to Detroit on Draft Day), OT Leon Searcy (1992, Pittsburgh Steelers), CB Deon Figures (1993, Pittsburgh Steelers), DE Eric Curry (1993, Tampa Bay), OT Tony Boselli (1995, Jaguars), RB James Stewart (1995, Jaguars), LB Kevin Hardy (1996, Jaguars), DT Renaldo Wynn (1997, Jaguars), RB Fred Taylor (1998, Jaguars) and S Donovin Darius (1998, Jaguars).
In three seasons, five Jaguars have played in all 55 games (regular season and postseason) in franchise history: WR Jimmy Smith, TEs Pete Mitchell and Rich Griffith, PK Mike Hollis and P Bryan Barker.... OT Leon Searcy has started the most consecutive games, 83 dating back to 1993 when he was with the Steelers. Searcy has played in 97 straight games.... Two players have played in more than 100 games during their careers: P Bryan Barker (122) and LB Bryce Paup (110).... Paup has 85 career starts, followed by Searcy (83).... OT Tony Boselli and QB Mark Brunell have each started 43 games for the Jaguars, breaking the team record of 42 held by Dave Widell. They are followed by Ben Coleman (40).
