The Jaguars return home Sunday after back-to-back road games to host the Oakland Raiders. Holding in first place in the AFC South, the Jaguars have won four of the last five games. The Jaguars are looking to claim their first AFC South title and third overall division title in franchise history (AFC Central).
With a 7-5 record, the Jaguars are in first place in the AFC South the latest in a season since 1999. The Jaguars are one of only six teams in the AFC and one of 13 in the NFL with a winning record heading into this week's games. The Jaguars have two home games (Oakland, Washington) and two road games (Indianapolis, Houston) remaining to close out the regular season.
"We know that we're an improving football team," Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio said. "We're putting in the work, we continue to hit, our guys are getting stronger in the weight room. We've got young guys that are starting to play with more confidence, and so we're a team that is getting better and we expect to play good football. And I think we all sense that because we know the work that we're putting in but it is with absolute humility that we say those things because we understand the need to work, the need to stay together, the need to be unselfish."
The Jaguars finished fourth in the AFC South in 2009 with 3-3 division mark. An NFL team has gone from last in their division to first in their division a record-breaking eight consecutive seasons. New Orleans, which won the Super Bowl, accomplished the feat in 2009.
AFC's top records through 12 games
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RK TEAM RECORD SCHEDULE 1. New England 10-2 at CHI, vs. GB, at BUF, vs. MIA 2. N.Y. Jets 9-3 vs. MIA, at PIT, at CHI, vs. BUF Pittsburgh 9-3 vs. CIN, vs. NYJ, vs. CAR, at CLE 4. Baltimore 8-4 at HOU, vs. NO, at CLE, vs. CIN Kansas City 8-4 at SD, at STL, vs. TEN, vs. OAK 6. Jacksonville 7-5 vs. OAK, at IND, vs. WAS, at HOU |
Running the rock
The Jaguars rushed the ball a franchise-record 53 times for 258 yards last Sunday at Tennessee, the second-most rushing yards in franchise history. The 53 rushes are the most in the NFL through 13 weeks. Oakland, which visits Jacksonville on Sunday, has rushed the ball 52 times in two different games this season.
Jaguars most single game rushes
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RK DATE OPPONENT RUSHES (YARDS) 1. 12/5/10 at Tennessee 53 (258) 2. 11/14/04 vs. Detroit 50 (239) 3. 9/21/08 at Indianapolis 48 (236) |
2010 NFL most single game rushes
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RK TEAM OPPONENT RUSHES (YARDS) 1. Jacksonville at Tennessee (Dec. 5) 53 (258) 2. Oakland at San Diego (Dec. 5) 52 (251) Oakland at Denver (Oct. 24) 52 (328) |
Did you know?
The Jaguars had three players with at least 10 carries last Sunday at Tennessee (Maurice Jones-Drew, 31-186; Rashad Jennings 10-44; David Garrard 10-19). It marked the first time since Sept. 23, 2007 the Jaguars had three different players with 10 or more rushes, a span of 56 games.
Comparing the 2005 and 2007 teams
There have been plenty of comparisons of this year's Jaguars and how they are making a similar run to the last two playoff teams in franchise history. The Jaguars won eight of their final nine games in 2005 including the last three to conclude the regular season. There are only six players remaining on the Jaguars current roster from the 2005 playoff team.
The Jaguars finished the 2007 season with wins in six of seven games before resting their starters for the season finale at Houston. There are 14 players remaining from the 2007 team. Only six players on the current roster were on the active roster for the Jaguars' last two playoff appearances (Vince Manuwai, Greg Jones, Daryl Smith, Rashean Mathis, Josh Scobee, David Garrard.)
"Every year is different. Every year takes on its own personality. If you go back and look you'll find different variables, different factors," Del Rio said. "I'm really looking forward. I'm really looking forward to the next opportunity against the Raiders."
Hitting the 200-yard mark on the ground
The Jaguars compiled 258 rushing yards last Sunday at Tennessee, the second-most in franchise history and the third 200-yard rushing game this season. The 258 rushing yards were the seventh-most in an NFL game through 13 weeks. Oakland rushed for a season-high 328 yards on Oct. 24 at Denver.
Sunday was the second consecutive game the Jaguars eclipsed 200 yards on the ground, marking only the third time in franchise history with back-to-back 200-yard rushing games (2000, 2007). The Jaguars had 207 rushing yards against the Giants on Nov. 28. The Jaguars have never rushed for 200-plus yards in three consecutive games.
The three 200-yard rushing games are tied for the most in a season in franchise history (2000, 2006, 2007). The Jaguars have rushed for 200-yards in 23 games in team history with 15 coming since 2003 under head coach Jack Del Rio.
Mincey works way to starting role
Jaguars defensive end Jeremy Mincey was a sixth-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 2006 and he has battled injuries over the last five seasons but has found a home in Jacksonville. The Jaguars signed him toward the end of his rookie season and injuries limited him to only nine games prior to this season.
"He's got one speed," Del Rio said. "He's going, he's a relentless guy and that's what we want to be as a football team, is relentless."
Mincey has played in 11 of 12 games this season and earned a starting job on Nov. 14 against Houston. He is tied for the team lead with four sacks after taking down Kerry Collins in the fourth quarter last Sunday at Tennessee. He recorded a career-high two sacks on Nov. 21 vs. Cleveland to lead a Jaguars defense that finished with a season-high six sacks against the Browns.
Runnin' with MJD
Maurice Jones-Drew produced a career-high 186 yards on 31 carries (6.0 avg.) last Sunday at Tennessee. The 186 yards were the third-most in franchise history and most by a Jaguar since 2003. Jones-Drew has recorded 100-plus rushing yards in five straight games for the first time in his career. The five consecutive games is tied for the second-longest streak in franchise history and the longest streak in the NFL through 13 weeks.
2010 NFL most single game rushing yards
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RK PLAYER, TEAM OPPONENT YDS (RUSHES) 1. Arian Foster, Houston Sept. 12, vs. Indianapolis 231 (33) 2. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Dec. 5, at Tennessee 186 (31) 3. Peyton Hillis, Cleveland Nov. 7, vs. New England 184 (29) |
2010 NFL most 100-yard rushing games
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RK PLAYER, TEAM 100-YARD GAMES 1. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville 6 Arian Foster, Houston 6 Michael Turner, Atlanta 6 Chris Johnson, Tennessee 6 |
Hot, Hot, Hot
During his streak of five straight games with 100-plus rushing yards, Maurice Jones-Drew leads the NFL with 133.4 rushing yards per game. Here are the leaders:
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RK PLAYER, TEAM YARDS PER GAME 1. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville 133.4 (126-667) 2. Peyton Hillis, Cleveland 100.4 (113-502) 3. Arian Foster, Houston 98.6 (116-493) |
Jennings sees increasing role
The Jaguars have turned to second-year running back Rashad Jennings the last two weeks to complement Maurice Jones-Drew in the running game. Jennings has responded to the challenge with 97 yards on 17 carries (5.7 avg.) and touchdowns in each of the two games. Both of his scores have come on the Jaguars' opening drive of the game.
Jennings has 78 career rushes for 399 yards with three touchdowns. His 39 carries through 12 games this season match his total from his rookie season, while he is six yards from surpassing his rushing yards total from a year ago. The 2009 seventh-round draft pick was a three-year starter at Liberty where he set Big South records for rushing yards (3,633), attempts (633), touchdowns (42) and 100-yard games (22).
The last word
"Without Vinny in the lineup, some of the stuff we are doing now wouldn't be possible. He doesn't just move a guy one or two yards off the line. He moves him four or five yards, which makes it easier for me as a running back. You know you can get four or five yards when you are going to his side. He's very physical and always says, 'Some people like to do other things, I like to block.' Glad to have him on my side."
Maurice Jones-Drew to Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com discussing the impact of Vince Manuwai. Kuharsky named Manuwai the AFC South High Energy Player of the Week.
