The Bengals head south to ALLTEL Stadium as Jaguars look to sweep this short-lived AFC Central rivalry for the second straight season.

Nine weeks ago at Cinergy Field (Week 8), Jaguars RB Fred Taylor ran for 128 yards and a score and RB James Stewart added a pair of touchdowns as Tom Coughlin's club rolled to a 27-0 halftime lead enroute to an easy 41-10 triumph.

The Jaguars now own a 5-4 advantage in the series standings and have prevailed in 3 straight and 5 of the last 6 encounters dating back to the clubs' second meeting in 1996.

As for the Bengals' last appearance at ALLTEL Stadium (Week 10 of '98), Taylor ran for 118 yards and a score and CB Aaron Beasley returned a Bengals' fumble 90 yards for a touchdown as Coughlin's team jumped out to a 24-0 halftime lead and held off Cincinnati, 24-11.

The Bengals have lost three straight and are 1-3 lifetime at Jacksonville dating back to 1995.

Numbers: In nine games vs. Jacksonville, Bengals WR Carl Pickens has 37 receptions for 489 yards and 7 touchdowns. In 65 career starts with the Bengals (1994-99), Bengals QB Jeff Blake is 25-40, throwing 90 touchdown passes and 58 interceptions while being sacked 162 times in those 65 contests. After committing just one turnover in their first five games (2-3) in 98, the Bengals have committed 51 turnovers in their last 26 games (5-21) dating back to '98.

Including playoffs, the Jaguars have seen a player gain 100 or more yards rushing in 14 of their last 33 games dating back to 1998, nearly tripling 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 58 turnovers in 25 wins, 8 turnovers in 8 losses dating back to '98. They have allowed 149 points in 13 wins, 61 points in 2 losses in '99. The Jaguars have totaled 54 sacks in 15 games in '99, this after totaling just 30 sacks in 16 games in '98. The Jaguars have totaled 3 or more sacks in 11-of-15 contests in '99. They have limited the opposition to fewer than 100 yards rushing in 11-of-15 contests in '99. They have committed 10 turnovers in 13 wins, 7 turnovers in 2 losses in '99. WR Jimmy Smith has totaled 100 or more yards receiving in 5 of his last 6 games.

Things to look for: Not only were the Jaguars humbled in Tennessee, they enter the playoffs for the second straight year with QB Mark Brunell hurting. And if they think they'll simply coast to the AFC Central title with a win over the unpredictable Bengals, they may be sadly mistaken. Tom Coughlin's club needs to re-establish its defensive dominance, especially with QB Jay Fieldler making his first start.

Etc.: The Jaguars are in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season and have won 13 games during the regular season for the first time ever. The Bengals are 21-35 under Bruce Coslet dating back to '96. Including playoffs, the Jaguars are 51-34 in their 85-game history (1995-99), including 28-13 vs. AFC Central foes. Including playoffs, the Jaguars have won five straight home games and are 27-3 in their last 30 home games dating back to 1996.