During that season, the Jaguars were an incredible 14-2, 15-3 including the playoffs. All three losses came to none other than the Tennessee Titans. Since that season, the Titans have been in the playoff hunt every season, while the Jaguars have been digging themselves out of salary cap hell, posting records of 7-9, 6-10, 6-10, and 5-11. Going back to the 20-19 loss at home vs. the Titans on week three in 1999, The Jaguars are a pitiful 2-9 against the Titans.
“When you see blood, you're supposed to kill somebody.” Fred Taylor told reporters following the Jaguars' 18-15 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. “You just have to stick the dagger in their heart and kill them.”
This Sunday, the Jaguars we're only nine minutes away from victory. Greg Favors had just sacked Steve McNair in the end zone for a safety to put the Jags back on top 15-10. On the free kick, Troy Edwards returned the ball to the Titans own 49 yard line. It was time to drive the dagger into the heart of the Titans, like they have done so many times to the Jags.
The Jaguars began the drive with an 18-yard completion from David Garrard to Jimmy Smith. They stood at the 31-yard line with a first down and the game in their hands. On first and 10, Garrard threw an incomplete pass. On second down, Fred Taylor gained five yards. On third and 10, Garrard threw incomplete again. On fourth down, Scobee sent a 44-yard field goal attempt wide right.
The Titans would set up shop with great field position and the dagger in their grasp. Steve McNair would complete two passes to Drew Bennett of 25 and 9 yards. The Jags would hold the Titans for two plays, but on fourth and one allowed Erron Kinney to break loose for a 21-yard gain, putting the Titans at the two yard line with a first down. Antowain Smith would score on the next play to give the Titans the lead for good, and Steve McNair ran for the two-point conversion to give the Titans the 18-15 lead.
The Jaguars offense went ice cold in the fourth quarter. They had the ball two more times after allowing the game winning touchdown, but went three and out on the first possession and were forced to punt. They didn't get the ball back until there we're 25 seconds left on the clock. David Garrard's first pass was picked off and the Titans sealed the victory.
In just nine minutes of game time, so much had changed. Alltel Stadium, which was bumping, seemed like someone hit a mute button on a remote control. The Jaguars, who we're tied with Indianapolis for first place in the AFC South, desperately needed this game to stay even as they had pounded the Bears into submission with a 41-10 victory. Now the Jaguars trail by a game, and only have a 2-3 record in the AFC South. One more win vs. either Houston or Tennessee will lock up the tiebreaker for Indy if the Jags and Colts happen to end the season in a tie. The Titans (4-6) have now kept their bleak playoff hopes alive on top of it all.
The loss against the Titans last Sunday does not compare to that miserable day on January 23, 2000, but it sure would have been nice to sweep the season series from the Titans in the Jaguars home stadium. Now the ghosts continue to haunt Jaguars fans, and with Minnesota and Pittsburgh ahead on the schedule, the Jags playoff hopes are dwindling. Jacksonville might have to wait until next year for revenge.
