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  GAME DAY PREVIEW Game time: 1:00pm ET
Jacksonville (13-1-0) at Tennessee (11-3-0)
 
  Records
TEAM W L T PF PA HOME ROAD NFC AFC DIV STREAK
Jacksonville 13 1 0 358 169 6-1 7-0 4-0 9-1 7-1 Won 11
Tennessee 11 3 0 304 274 7-0 4-3 3-1 8-2 7-1 Won 2


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars can kill four birds with one stone in Sunday's rematch with the Tennessee Titans.

Most importantly, they can clinch the AFC Central title and earn a first-round playoff bye. Secondarily, they can beat a team with a winning record for the first time all year. And on a personal note, the Jaguars can avenge their only loss of the season.

How close is Jacksonville (13-1) to perfection? On Sept. 26, Titans cornerback Samari Rolle intercepted Mark Brunell's pass on third down in the end zone with 57 seconds left, preserving Tennessee's 20-19 victory. The Jaguars were in easy field goal range at the time.

"No other team did that to us this year," said Jaguars receiver Keenan McCardell. "So you have to circle that game and say to yourself that these are guys we owe. You have to show them they can't just come in here and walk over us."

The Titans (11-3) have their own postseason hopes and aren't ready to concede the division title, even though they trail the Jaguars by two games with two left.

"We're trying to position ourselves to have one more home game during the playoffs," said Titans offensive tackle Brad Hopkins. "They're in our way. Enough said."

The teams have played just nine games against each other, but already have something of a history. The Houston Oilers, as they were known then, beat the Jaguars in their inaugural game. Jacksonville's first victory came in Houston. Eight of the nine games have been decided by a touchdown or less.

Despite having their best season since 1993, the Titans have gotten little attention outside of Nashville. Hopkins said the team likes it that way.

"We just want them to keep that same little meager attitude that it's just the Titans. It's OK. We'll just laugh ourselves right up into the big show," he said.

The Jaguars also have a chip on their shoulder. They are tired of hearing how they haven't beaten a team above .500. Safety Carnell Lake said that records don't matter because teams give Jacksonville their best shot.

"We'll try and quiet the doubters when the time comes," he said.

One Jacksonville player who isn't thinking about the loss to the Titans is Brunell, who was intercepted three times.

"If I do, I'm hurting my team. I need to play. I need to be poised. I need to think about what's at stake right now and not let what happened last time bother me. If I do, I'm in no situation to lead this team," said Brunell, who has been picked off only five other times the rest of the season.

Both teams thrive on pressuring the quarterback and taking the ball away.

Jacksonville and Tennessee have forced a combined 61 turnovers. The Jaguars have an NFL-best 54 sacks, while Tennessee is third with 49. The Titans have done a better job protecting the quarterback, giving up seven fewer sacks.

Jacksonville should have both Fred Taylor and James Stewart available in the league's second-best rushing attack. That, combined with receivers Jimmy Smith and McCardell, could negate the speed rush of Titans rookie defensive end Jevon Kearse, who leads the AFC with 13{ sacks.

Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin sees a much more dangerous team in the Titans since the return of Steve McNair. The quarterback missed the first meeting after back surgery.

McNair has been criticized for throwing only one touchdown in his last seven games, but he will have receiver Yancey Thigpen back after missing six games with a sprained ankle.

Thigpen won't play every down, but McNair said his presence will help the other receivers who have struggled in his absence.

"Now the young guys can relax and take a lot of pressure off," McNair said.

Both Jacksonville and Tennessee are used to pointing toward the Pittsburgh Steelers as the team to beat in the AFC Central. Titans coach Jeff Fisher said whether the teams develop their own rivalry depends on whether they meet again this season _ in the playoffs.

"I think we got their attention in Week 3," he said.

"We'll be ready. This is a game you don't want to miss now. Make sure you get your presents opened and put away, because this is going to be one I think people are going to remember for a long time."

JACKSONVILLE
Season schedule and results
TENNESSEE
Season schedule and results
September 12 San Francisco W 41-3
September 19 @Carolina W 22-20
September 26 Tennessee L 19-20
October 3 @Pittsburgh W 17-3
October 11 @NY Jets W 16-6
October 17 Cleveland W 24-7
October 31 @Cincinnati W 41-10
November 7 @Atlanta W 30-7
November 14 Baltimore W 6-3
November 21 New Orleans W 41-23
November 28 @Baltimore W 30-23
December 2 Pittsburgh W 20-6
December 13 Denver W 27-24
December 19 @Cleveland W 24-14
December 26 @Tennessee 1:00pm ET
January 2 Cincinnati 1:00pm ET
September 12 Cincinnati W 36-35
September 19 Cleveland W 26-9
September 26 @Jacksonville W 20-19
October 3 @San Francisco L 22-24
October 10 Baltimore W 14-11
October 17 @New Orleans W 24-21
October 31 St. Louis W 24-21
November 7 @Miami L 0-17
November 14 @Cincinnati W 24-14
November 21 Pittsburgh W 16-10
November 28 @Cleveland W 33-21
December 5 @Baltimore L 14-41
December 9 Oakland W 21-14
December 19 Atlanta W 30-17
December 26 Jacksonville 1:00pm ET
January 2 @Pittsburgh 4:15pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

Copyright 1999 STATS, Inc. Commercial distribution without the express written consent of STATS is prohibited.

 


ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard

Jacksonville Clubhouse

Tennessee Clubhouse



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War Room preview: Jaguars at Titans

Baxter Bits: Jaguars at Titans

Week 16 injury report

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