Game Day Preview: Jacksonville at New York


Jacksonville at New York


Focal Point: Receiving tandems


Breaking down the Jags and Jets


Inside the Jets playbook

The Jaguars (12-5) head north to East Rutherford, N.J., as these clubs collide for the third time in four years while the 12-4 Jets, making their first postseason appearance since 1991, host their first playoff game since 1986. The teams have split their only previous two battles, New York posting a 27-10 victory in 1995 in the Jaguars' only previous regular-season appearance at Giants Stadium, while Jacksonville managed a 21-17 victory in 1996 at ALLTEL Stadium.

Numbers: Including playoffs, the Jaguars have had a player gain 100 or more yards rushing in nine of 17 games in '98, nearly doubling the number of 100-yard rushing performances (5) that the Jaguars managed in the regular- and postseason combined (5) during their first three years in the NFL (1995-97). Including playoffs, the Jaguars have forced 30 turnovers in 12 wins, three turnovers in five losses in '98. Including playoffs, the Jaguars have allowed 120 or more yards rushing in nine of their last 11 contests.

In six seasons (80 games) with the Browns, Ravens and Jets (1993-98), Jets QB Vinny Testaverde has thrown 127 touchdown passes and just 78 interceptions (129 TDs-80 INTs in 82 games, including playoffs), this after totaling just 77 TD passes and 112 INTs in six seasons (76 games) with the Buccaneers (1987-92). In 14 games in '98, Testaverde has thrown 29 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions while being sacked only 19 times. In 16 games in '97, Jets' quarterbacks combined to throw 20 TD passes and nine interceptions while being sacked 48 times. The Jets have allowed 152 points in 12 wins (17 or fewer points in 10 of those contests) while giving up 114 points in four losses in '98. The Jets have committed just 13 turnovers in 12 wins, 11 turnovers in four losses in '98.

The Coaches: Jaguars head coach Tom Coughlin is 3-2 in postseason play, while Jets head coach Bill Parcells is 10-5 in postseason play (8-3 with Giants, 2-2 with Patriots, 0-0 with Jets).

Postseason History: The Jaguars are making their third consecutive and third overall playoff appearance and are 3-2 in postseason play, while the Jets are making their eighth playoff appearance (sixth since merger) and are 5-6 in postseason play (3-5 since merger).

Things To Look For: It took some time for Jaguars QB Mark Brunell to shake off the rust last weekend, but fortunately Tom Coughlin's club is far from one-dimensional these days thanks to rookie RB Fred Taylor. Bill Parcells will have his red-hot Jets ready and waiting, but those expecting this to be a walk in the park for the Jets are forgetting these formidable Jaguars are very playoff savvy.

Etc.: The Jets are hosting their first postseason game since a 35-15 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1986 AFC wild-card playoffs (Dec. 28). The Jaguars are 30-12 in their last 42 games (including playoffs), 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 38-31 in their 69-game history (1995-98), 21-11 vs. the AFC Central and 17-20 vs. the rest of the NFL (3-2 in playoffs). Jets have won 6 straight games and are 13-7 in their last 20 games after opening 8-4 in 1997.