Sunday, October 31, 1999Who's got the edge?
QUARTERBACKS
Bengals: Over there is Tony Brackens. Over here is Gary Walker. Say hello to Kevin Hardy. Akili Smith must get rid of the ball fast and not spend too much time thinking.
Jaguars: Mark Brunell has won 36 games in five seasons. The Bengals have won 37 the past eight seasons.
EDGE: Jags
RUNNING BACKS
Bengals: Corey Dillon spewed blood and rage last week, a welcome addition to a locker room that in years past has been too laid-back. Jaguars: Fred Taylor hasn't played in their last two games because of injury, but the 1,223-yard rusher from last season looks for his second 100-yard game vs. the Bengals.
EDGE: Even.
RECEIVERS
Bengals: The two-deep zone has become their personal twilight zone. After seven receivers caught a ball of at least 40 yards last season, their longest completion this year is 39 yards.
Jaguars: Wideouts Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell have combined for four 100-yard games and seven touchdowns vs. the Bengals. Since '96, Smith is fourth in the NFL with 280 catches, McCardell fifth at 262.
EDGE: Jags
OFFENSIVE LINE
Bengals: The right side of the line gets a new guard and maybe a new tackle because of injury. Left tackle Rod Jones must play better than he did last week if he is to stop Tony Brackens.
Jaguars: Tony Boselli, the game's best left tackle, comes to Anthony Munoz's town with a unit that's allowed just seven sacks and is itching to finally spring last year's fifth-best rushing attack.
EDGE: Jags
DEFENSIVE LINE
Bengals: It's hard to find fault with a unit that is 14th against the rush and banged Peyton Manning as much as they did last week. But they need to make more plays. They've forced one fumble all season.
Jaguars: Where to begin? They have 17 sacks as a unit, the Bengals have 15 as a team in one more game.
EDGE: Jags
LINEBACKERS
Bengals: The inside people are prime producers, but they need more plays from the outside linebackers. The linebackers haven't had a sack in two games.
Jaguars: How good has the pass rush been? Strong side linebacker Bryce Paup has none of his 72 career sacks this year; Kevin Hardy is a Pro Bowl force on the other side.
EDGE: Jags.
SECONDARY
Bengals: Opposing passers continue to gouge them with big plays. Kurt Warner hit six passes for more than 20 yards; Manning four for more than 30. Plus; Mark Brunell sliced them for 50- and 55-yard gains last year.
Jaguars: The starting cornerbacks have four interceptions; the Bengals have three. Safety Carnell Lake has started 160 NFL games. The Bengals starting defense has 208 starts.
EDGE: Jags
SPECIAL TEAMS
Bengals: Punting unit continues to struggle with a rookie snapper and a punter in his 15th NFL game.
Jaguars: Bryan Barker is one of the best situational punters in the league with 12 kicks inside the 20, and Mike Hollis has the NFL's all-time best field goal percentage at 83.
EDGE: Jags.
COACHING
Bengals: No, today isn't Jacksonville defensive coordinator Dom Capers (of Buffalo, Ohio) job interview for Mike Brown. But Bruce Coslet must get the Bengals competitive soon to prevent the short lists from popping out.
Jaguars: There isn't a better coach in the NFL right now than Tom Coughlin. He left the college coaching ranks in Boston and adjusted to the pros. Or they adjusted to him. Hey Rick Pitino, are you taking notes?
EDGE: Jags
THE PICK
This could be the Monster Mash, Dracula, Frankenstein, Freddie Kreuger all rolled into one bloodbath. JAGUARS, 30-8.
Bengals Stories
'96 reasons to hope
Jagged edges everywhere today
Bengals-Jaguars by the numbers
Players to watch
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