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Jaguars Geared For Deep Playoff Run

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 25, 2007

Updated: 12/24/2007 07:13 pm

JACKSONVILLE - The Bucs aren't the only NFL team in the state majoring in chemistry.

Tucked away in the northeast corner, 200 miles away, the Jaguars also appear to be on a mission as the playoffs approach.

Unlike Tampa Bay, the Jags will be on the road in the opening round, headed to either Pittsburgh or San Diego as an AFC wild card poised to trump a home favorite.

"This team is special," Coach Jack Del Rio said after Sunday's 49-11 demolition of the pitiful Raiders, who committed 11 penalties en route to their 11th loss. "There is a real strong feeling of camaraderie, of togetherness."

Jacksonville's locker room wasn't overly jubilant, despite clinching a playoff spot for the sixth time overall and second time in three seasons.

For the 11-4 Jaguars, the journey has only just begun.

"It's not over," cornerback Rashean Mathis said. "The playoffs are the first step. We're still climbing the mountain and we haven't peaked yet. After we peak, then the champagne will come out."

These Jaguars are a tight, driven group that has developed a depth of commitment missing in previous years.

Like the Bucs, they pull for each other, and like their NFC counterparts across the state, the Jaguars were overlooked by Pro Bowl voters last week.

The sprained ankle that sidelined quarterback David Garrard on the brink of a three-game road swing served as a catalyst, with backup Quinn Gray leading Jacksonville past Tampa Bay and Tennessee before Garrard returned.

"Guys are hungry," said Garrard, who has thrown 18 touchdown passes and three interceptions this season. "This is a different team. You know guys are very focused and their minds are on winning, not on anything else."

The decision to dump Byron Leftwich has paid big dividends as Garrard stepped into a starting role and delivered, aided by a powerful ground game that gouged Oakland for 201 yards.

Add a solid, aggressive defense and you have the makings of a dangerous playoff opponent.

"We knew they were one of the best teams in football coming in," Raiders defensive end Jay Richardson said. "We had a lot of respect for them and when you can run the way they can, you'll always have a chance to win."

The Jaguars haven't been this potent offensively since the 1998 club that hung 62 points on Miami in a playoff game, marking Jimmy Johnson's farewell on the NFL sidelines.

Jacksonville has scored at least 24 points in nine consecutive games and the Jags have rolled up at least 411 yards in each of the past five games.

Fred Taylor wasted no time establishing the right tone Sunday, darting 62 yards for a touchdown on Jacksonville's initial offensive snap. Taylor has reeled off five 100-yard games in a row in moving up to No. 17 on the NFL's all-time rushing list.

"I don't think anyone is overly excited," said Taylor, who will replace the injured Willie Parker on the AFC Pro Bowl squad. "We're excited to make the playoffs, but no one is jumping for joy or popping champagne."

Jacksonville fans are positively bubbly when gazing ahead to the postseason.

The Jags already have proven they can win in Pittsburgh and they may be too physical on both sides of the ball for the Chargers.

If they advance, the Jaguars would have to win at either Indianapolis or New England in the divisional round.

"I think that team could go a long way in the playoffs," Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said. "I love their style."

HUDDLE UP: Oakland's JaMarcus Russell showed off a big arm in extensive playing time, but the first pick in the draft learned the hard way he's not facing Kentucky's defense anymore. ... The Patriots and Giants each won while coughing up four giveaways Sunday. New England trounced Miami despite a minus-4 turnover ratio that NFL history suggests is very difficult to overcome. ... Indy's Peyton Manning has tormented the Texans for six years, posting an 11-1 mark and a 125.4 passer rating, the best figure by any current QB against one team. ... New Orleans attempted to solve its secondary woes with an aggressive free-agency plan last spring, but the overhaul hasn't worked. The Saints have yielded an NFL-high 52 completions of at least 20 yards. ... The Giants will head to Tampa for the opening playoff round having yielded only 97 points during their seven-game winning streak on the road. ... Beating the Packers twice is hardly a consolation for Chicago fans wondering why Coach Lovie Smith couldn't motivate his team more often this season. ... There are a lot of outstanding defensive ends in the league - none better than Kyle Vanden Bosch of the Titans. ... Seattle closed out a 7-1 home slate by not committing a penalty against the hapless Ravens. ... Remember when the AFC West packed some muscle? The division is a combined 3-12 vs. NFC opponents. ... After an astonishing start, Minnesota's Adrian Peterson has hit the rookie wall, averaging 2.5 yards per carry the past three games.

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