The Jaguars (off last week) head to Cincinnati as this NFC Central rivalry is renewed once again.

While teams have split their previous eight meetings, the Jaguars have dominated lately, prevailing in two straight and four of the last five encounters dating back to the clubs' second meeting in 1996.

Last season, the Jaguars posted their first-ever sweep in this divisional series. In Week 10 at ALLTEL Stadium, Jaguars RB Fred Taylor ran for 118 yards and a score and CB Aaron Beasley returned a Bengals' fumble 90 yards for a touchdown as Tom Coughlin's team jumped out to a 24-0 halftime lead and held off the Bengals, 24-11.

Three weeks later at Cinergy Field (Week 13), Jaguars QB Mark Brunell threw for 244 yards and four touchdowns and Bruce Coslet's club turned over the football four times as the Jaguars won their first-ever game at Cinergy Field, 34-17.

Despite Jacksonville's victory last season, the home team owns a 6-2 edge in this divisional series.

Numbers: In eight games vs. Jacksonville, Bengals WR Carl Pickens has 35 receptions for 458 yards and seven touchdowns. 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 3-of-6 contests. Including playoffs, they have seen a player gain 100 or more yards rushing in 10 of their last 24 games dating back to 1998, 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, the Jaguars have forced 41 turnovers in 17 wins, eight turnovers in seven losses dating back to '98. The Jaguars have allowed 39 points in five wins, 20 points in one loss in '99. They have totaled 22 sacks in six games in '99, this after totaling just 30 sacks in 16 games in '98. The Jaguars have totaled four or more sacks in three straight games and 5-of-6 contests in '99. The Jaguars have limited the opposition to seven or fewer points in three straight games and 4-of-6 contests in '99.

After committing just one turnover in their first five games (2-3) in '98, the Bengals have committed 34 turnovers in their last 18 games (2-16) dating back to '98. The Bengals have been limited to 17 or fewer points in five straight games. They have allowed four or more sacks in three straight games.

Things to look for: The Jaguars' defense continues to impress, and since Dom Capers had some extra time to tinker, look for some new wrinkles from DE Tony Brackens and company. Add in the fact that Tom Coughlin's club figures to have a healthy RB Fred Taylor back in the starting lineup and it figures to be another long day for a Bengals' squad that already looks like it's just going through the motions.

Etc.: Jacksonville has won three straight games. The Jaguars are 32-11 in their last 43 regular-season games (35-14, 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, they are 43-33 in their 76-game history (1995-99), including 23-12 vs. the AFC Central. Including playoffs, the Jaguars are 8-15 lifetime on artificial turf dating back to 1995.

The Bengals are 18-30 under Bruce Coslet dating back to '96. Over the past nine years (1991-99), the Bengals are a combined 12-59 over the first half of the season. They have lost eight straight home games dating back to '98.