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Baxter Bits: Dolphins (10-7) at Jaguars (14-2)
By Russell S. Baxter
Special to ESPN.com
The Dolphins make their way to ALLTEL Stadium for the second straight season as these clubs collide for just the second time ever.
In the teams' only previous battle, the Jaguars posted a 28-21 Monday night victory last season (Week 6) at Jacksonville.
Numbers: |  | | | The Jaguars hope Mark Brunell is ready to play Saturday. |
Including playoffs, the Dolphins' defense has allowed 26 touchdowns, while Miami's offense and special teams have given up 11 touchdowns (7 interceptions, 2 fumbles, 2 kickoffs) in 17 games in '99. Since 1996 (including playoffs), under head coach Jimmy Johnson, the Dolphins have totaled 125 sacks and 97 takeaways in 38 wins but just 40 QB traps and 37 takeaways in 30 losses.
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 5-of-16 contests. Including playoffs, the Jaguars have seen a player gain 100 or more yards rushing in 14 of their last 34 games dating back to 1998, nearly tripling the number of 100-yard rushing performances 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 60 turnovers in 26 wins, eight turnovers in eight losses dating back to '98. They have allowed 156 points in 14 wins, 61 points in two losses in '99. The Jaguars have totaled 57 sacks in 16 games in '99, this after totaling just 30 sacks in 16 games in '98. They have limited the opposition to 10 or fewer points in 9-of-16 contests in '99. They have limited the opposition to fewer than 100 yards rushing in 11-of-16 contests in '99. The Jaguars have totaled three or more sacks in 12-of-16 contests in '99. They have committed 11 turnovers in 14 wins, seven turnovers in two losses in '99. Jaguars RB James Stewart has scored at least one touchdown in nine of his last 14 contests in '99. WR Jimmy Smith has totaled 100 or more yards receiving in three straight games and six of his last seven contests.
The Coaches: Dolphins head coach Jimmy Johnson is 9-3 in postseason play (7-1 with Cowboys, 2-2 with Dolphins), while Jaguars head coach Tom Coughlin is 3-3 in postseason play.
Postseason History: The Dolphins are making their 19th overall playoff appearance (19th since merger) and are 19-16 in postseason play (19-16 since merger), while Jaguars are making their 4th consecutive and 4th overall playoff appearance (4th since merger) and are 3-3 in postseason play (3-3 since merger).
Things To Look For: Miami's defense looked like its earlier-season self in the victory at Seattle and Jimmy Johnson's front seven could give Jacksonville's battered offensive line fits, bad news for already hobbled Jaguars' QB Mark Brunell. But Dolphins' QB Dan Marino will have his own problems with Dom Capers' multifaceted defense, a unit that may have to take scoring matter into their own hands here.
Etc.: In defeating Seattle (20-17) last week in the Wild Card Playoffs, the Dolphins became the first No. 6 seed from the AFC to win a playoff game dating back to 1990, when the league expanded to 12 playoffs teams and adopted the current playoff format. The Dolphins are coming off their first road playoff game since 1972, a 21-17 victory at Pittsburgh in the '72 AFC Championship Game. The Jaguars are hosting the AFC Divisional Playoffs for the first time ever. The Dolphins are just 11-14 in the playoffs (10-5 at home, 1-7 on road, 0-2 in Super Bowls) dating back to the 1974 postseason, this after amassing an impressive 8-2 playoff record from 1970-73. The Jaguars are 41-12 in their last 53 regular-season games (44-15, 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, Jaguars have won six straight home games and are 28-3 in their last 31 home games dating back to 1996.
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