The week leading up to the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against Miami in January of 2000 was strange. The 14-2 Jaguars found themselves defending their record from Kim Bokamper and the media folks in Miami who called them 'paper tigers' insinuating that they were nowhere near as good as their record. It was strange coming from one the Dolphins side since their undefeated Super Bowl team from 1972 always had to deal with the same thing since the Jets, Patriots, Bills and Colts all finished with losing records that season.
It didn't take long for those folks to go in hiding in the press box. Mark Brunell skillfully picked the Miami defense apart on the opening drive that ended with a touchdown. The Jags led 10-0 with just under four minutes to play in the first quarter when Fred Taylor put the game to bed. Against the fastest defense in football led by guys like Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas, Brock Marion and Sam Madison…Taylor left them standing still as he raced through them for a 90-yard touchdown the longest in NFL playoff history. The body language on the Dolphins sideline said 'when is this thing going to end?'
There was more humiliation for Miami. Less than 30 seconds later Tony Brackens picked up the fumble he caused when he sacked Dan Marino to make it 24-0. On the opening play of the 2nd quarter Taylor dazzled again with a short catch and 39-yard run that left the Dolphins in awe of his ability to change direction and speed so effortlessly.
The Jags tied a postseason record with 41 points in the first half and back-ups Jay Fielder, Alvis Whitted and Chris Howard poured it on in the second half for a 62-7 final. It also marked the final game in Miami for head coach Jimmy Johnson and the final game in the Hall of Fame career of Marino. I never did get Bokamper's reaction.
