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Thursday, September 9
Updated: September 10, 5:53 PM ET
 
Baxter Bits: 49ers vs. Jaguars

By Russell S. Baxter
Special to ESPN.com

The San Francisco 49ers make their first-ever regular-season trip to ALLTEL Stadium as they collide with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the first time ever in the regular season.

Numbers: In their last eight games dating back to '98 (including playoffs), 49ers have scored 235 points (29.4 PPG) and totaled 3,280 yards of offense (410.0 YPG), including 1,450 yards rushing (181.3 YPG). In 17 games in '98 (including playoffs), 49ers' QB Steve Young threw 40 touchdown passes and just 17 interceptions, this after throwing for just 19 scores and 6 interceptions in 15 games in '97. Dating back to 1997 (including playoffs), 49ers' offense has totaled 92 touchdowns and 48 field goals in 27 wins, 13 touchdowns and 13 field goals in 9 losses. Including playoffs, 49ers' WR Terrell Owens has scored at least one touchdown in 12 of his last 14 contests dating back to '98.

Including playoffs, the Jaguars saw a player gain 100 or more yards rushing in nine of 18 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, Jaguars forced 30 turnovers in 12 wins, 6 turnovers in 6 losses in '98.

Things To Look For: In what may be a very early Super Bowl preview, look for a pair of southpaw signal-callers (Steve Young, Mark Brunell) to enjoy success against two suspect secondaries. And while these clubs have yet to meet in a meaningful game, there certainly won't be any surprises for former Panthers' head coach/Jaguars' defensive coordinator Dom Capers, who knows the Niners all too well.

Etc.: The Jaguars have won three straight games on opening day dating back to 1996...49ers' WR Jerry Rice has caught at least one pass in an NFL-record 193 straight games. The 49ers have not been shut out in an NFL-record 338 consecutive games. They are 30-10 vs. AFC teams (32-10 if you include wins over Denver and San Diego in Super Bowls XXIV and XXIX, respectively) dating back to 1989 (2-2 in '98). 49ers' QB Steve Young (32,678) needs 160 yards to tie Ken Anderson (32,838) for 16th place on the NFL's all-time passing yardage list.

The Jaguars are just 7-9 lifetime vs. NFC teams (3-1 in '98) dating back to their debut season in 1995. They are 27-10 in their last 37 regular-season games (30-13, 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 38-32 in their 70-game history (1995-98), 21-11 vs. the AFC Central and 17-21 vs. the rest of the NFL (3-2 in playoffs). Including playoffs, the Jaguars are 21-2 in their last 23 home games dating back to 1996.




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