Broncos (4-8) at Jaguars (11-1)
9 p.m. ET, ABC
Line: Jaguars by 9
Preview | Baxter's Bits | War Room Preview
Ron Jaworski's Monday night breakdown
Inside the Jags' playbook: Brunell audibles to run

	Keenan McCardell and the Jaguars offense are back in high gear.

Why to watch:
This matchup certainly isn't the type of AFC showdown we expected when it appeared as one of the most anticipated games on the '99 schedule. These teams have met in the playoffs in two of the last three years, but this game is clearly not a postseason preview.

The Broncos officially have been eliminated from playoff contention and have been reduced to playing the spoiler role in the AFC. Entering Week 14, the Jaguars owned a two-game lead over the Titans in the AFC Central and a one-game advantage over the rest of the conference for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

So, the Jags will be looking to maintain their edge as the playoffs approach, while the Broncos are merely hoping to pull off an upset as they play out the string.

Who to watch:
Broncos QB Brian Griese will face a big challenge from the NFL's top-ranked defense. Broncos RB Olandis Gary ranks second among AFC rookies with 686 yards rushing in just eight games. However, Gary will be facing a Jaguars run defense that has not allowed more than 117 yards rushing in any game this season.

Broncos WR Ed McCaffrey has 518 yards receiving in his last six games. He and Broncos WR Rod Smith will face Jaguars CBs Aaron Beasley and rookie Fernando Bryant in two terrific matchups.

Jaguars QB Mark Brunell is back on track, having passed for at least 300 yards in each of his last three games. Jaguars WR Jimmy Smith is also hot, with 476 receiving yards and three TDs in his last three games. Smith and Jaguars WR Keenan McCardell have both topped the 100-yard mark in the Jags' last two games.

	MORE COVERAGE
	ABC MNF Online MNF Scouting Report

Jaguars RB Fred Taylor, the team's true offensive spark plug, is listed as probable to return from a hamstring injury that has bothered him throughout the season. Taylor won't start, but should see some action. Jacksonville really wants Taylor healthy for the playoffs, so coach Tom Coughlin is sure to monitor the versatile back closely.

In Taylor's absence, Jaguars RB James Stewart ran for a career-high 145 yards and a TD in last week's win over Pittsburgh, and he needs just 190 yards for his first 1,000-yard season. Stewart also leads the AFC with 11 TD runs.

The Jaguars are the only team in the NFL with three players with at least eight sacks -- Jags DE Tony Brackens has 10, LB Kevin Hardy has 9½ and DT Gary Walker has eight.

Broncos' numbers to know:
Over the last three seasons (including playoff games), the Broncos are 36-4 when they have more rushing attempts than their opponent. However, Denver is just 1-10 when the opponent has more rushing attempts.

INJURY REPORT

Broncos: OUT: QB Chris Miller (concussion). PROBABLE: LB David Bowens (hamstring); QB Bubby Brister (ribs); LB Glenn Cadrez (back); TE Dwayne Carswell (back); TE Byron Chamberlain (elbow); RB Olandis Gary (toe); QB Brian Griese (shoulder); DE Harald Hasselbach (eye); T Tony Jones (elbow); DT Mike Lodish (calf); RB Derek Loville (hamstring); C Tom Nalen (knee); DT Trevor Pryce (knee); T Trey Teague (knee); DT Keith Traylor (knee). Jaguars: OUT: TE Kyle Brady (knee). QUESTIONABLE: G Rich Tylski (foot). PROBABLE: RB Fred Taylor (hamstring).

Jaguars' numbers to know:
Since Jacksonville entered the NFL in 1995, the Jaguars have faced the Broncos ever year -- either in the regular season or playoffs. However, all four of those past meetings have been played at Mile High Stadium, and Denver holds a 3-1 edge in the series. This will be the Broncos' first trip to Jacksonville, where the Jags have lost only three games over the last three seasons.

What it means:
The Jaguars have won an NFL-high nine consecutive games and have their sights set on becoming only the fourth team to go 15-1 since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978. Jacksonville is also trying to stay a step ahead of Indianapolis (10-2) in the race for home-field advantage.

Sean Salisbury's breakdown
Broncos' game plan:
The Broncos have their work cut out for them, playing on the road without all their weapons against a team closing in on home-field advantage for the playoffs. The problem is that Dom Capers' defense can make teams look bad. Denver won't make many big plays against Jacksonville's defense.

The Broncos might be able to win in a low-scoring game. That is the only way Denver has a chance to beat the Jaguars, with Gary carrying the football a lot and by using a short passing game to consume the clock. Mike Shanahan will try to develop a good zone passing game for Griese. Denver will use a lot of crossing routes and sitdown routes to see if McCaffrey and Smith can break some runs after the catch. That's how Denver can beat Capers' zone blitz.

Jaguars' game plan:
Brunell is looking more comfortable in the Jacksonville offense. He is showing no more signs of indecision, and Smith and McCardell are reaping big benefits from it. Coming off a 145-yard outing against Pittsburgh, Stewart is running hard. However, Taylor gives the Jags a big-play threat on the perimeter, while Stewart runs effectively between the tackles.

The key for the Jaguars is maintaining the rhythm in their passing game. While Coughlin likes to operate a conservative game plan, with flat routes and curl routes, the Jaguars will take some shots for some big plays on deep posts and corner routes. Coughlin must continue to mix the underneath routes with the deep routes.

Defensively, the Jaguars' game plan is to continue to wrap up and tackle well. When Smith or McCaffrey catches a five-yard pass, the Jaguars must make the tackle instead of allowing a big gain off a miss.