The Steelers head south to Jacksonville as the Jaguars are in position to sweep this competitive AFC Central series for the first time ever.

Nine weeks ago at Three Rivers Stadium (Week 4), Jacksonville's defense limited Pittsburgh to 216 total yards and sacked Steelers QB Kordell Stewart four times, including twice in the end zone for a pair of safeties, as Tom Coughlin's club posted their first victory in the Steel City in five attempts, 17-3.

Jaguars now own a 5-4 advantage in the series standings thanks to the first-ever road win by a team in this rivalry.

As for the Steelers' last visit to Jacksonville (Week 17 of '98), Jaguars QB Jonathan Quinn (starting for an injured Mark Brunell) threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score as Tom Coughlin's club posted an easy 21-3 Monday night victory.

The Steelers are 0-4 lifetime at ALLTEL Stadium dating back to 1995.

Numbers: The Steelers' defense has allowed just 13 offensive touchdowns in their first 11 games in '99, while their offense (2) and special teams (1) have allowed three touchdowns and given up four safeties. Since 1996 (including playoffs), the Steelers are 27-6 when limiting the opposition to 17 or fewer points, 8-22 when giving up more than 17 points. They have totaled 32 takeaways in 12 wins while forcing just 18 turnovers in 15 losses dating back to '98. The Steelers have allowed just 127 points in 12 wins (15 or fewer points in 10 of those contests) while giving up 343 points in 15 losses dating back to '98. After not committing a turnover in their first two games (2-0), the Steelers have committed 15 turnovers in their last nine games (3-6) in '99. They have allowed 38 points in five wins, 129 points in six losses in '99.

In their first four seasons in the NFL (1995-98), the Jaguars held an opponent without an offensive touchdown just three times in 64 games (3-of-70, including playoffs). In '99, the Jaguars have not allowed an offensive touchdown in 4-of-11 contests. In his last two games, WR Jimmy Smith has totaled 19 receptions for 352 yards and two touchdowns. Including playoffs, the Jaguars have forced 55 turnovers in 22 wins, eight turnovers in seven losses dating back to '98. They have allowed 105 points in nine wins, 20 points in one loss in '99. Jacksonville's defense has totaled 44 sacks in 11 games in '99, this after totaling just 30 sacks in 16 games in '98. The Jaguars have scored 30 or more points in two straight games and four of their last five contests. They have limited the opposition to 10 or fewer points in 7-of-11 contests in '99 and have totaled three or more sacks in 9-of-11 contests in '99. The Jaguars have committed seven turnovers in 10 wins, four turnovers in one loss in '99.

Things to look for: With changes on both sides of the ball, most notably at quarterback, the Steelers look like a team playing for next season as Bill Cowher's club has lost its focus. On the other hand, the Jaguars' defense hasn't looked awesome the last two weeks but Tom Coughlin's team appears to be regaining its offensive form of years past. It adds up to a long night for the sputtering Black and Gold.

Etc.: The Jaguars are 10-1 for the first time ever and have won eight straight games in the same season for the first time in the team's 5-year history (1995-99).

The Steelers have lost three straight games. After opening 7-4 in '98, the Steelers are just 5-11 in their last 16 contests. They are 37-21 vs. AFC Central teams under head coach Bill Cowher (including 1-0 in playoffs). RB Jerome Bettis (8,140) needs 50 yards to move into 18th place on the NFL's all-time rushing list, surpassing Gerald Riggs (8,188) and Roger Craig (8,189).

The Jaguars are 37-11 in their last 48 regular-season games (40-14, including playoffs) dating back to 1996, this after managing just an 8-19 record in their first 27 contests dating back to their debut season in 1995. Including playoffs, the Jaguars are 48-33 in their 81-game history (1995-99), including 26-12 vs. the AFC Central. Including playoffs, they have won three straight home games and are 25-3 in their last 28 home games dating back to 1996.