Jacksonville

ASHBURN, Va. -- The plane that carried the Washington Redskins to Jacksonville, Fla., yesterday contained plenty of baggage, and it wasn't just the clothes-filled variety. Coach Steve Spurrier, defensive tackle Daryl Gardener and defensive end Renaldo Wynn have added incentive to extend Washington's winning streak to three games with a victory over the Jaguars at 4:05 p.m. today at Alltel Stadium. Spurrier's ties to the Jacksonville area are well-documented. For 12 years, he coached the University of Florida in Gainesville, about 75 miles from Jacksonville.

FOXBORO, Mass. -- If this was indeed Bill Parcells' last home game as coach of the Patriots, then he gave New England fans one grand farewell party yesterday.The Patriots capitalized on three mistakes for 17 points and their defense shut down the league's most productive offense, as New England defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 20-6, to win the AFC championship before 60,190 at Foxboro Stadium.Patriots cornerback Otis Smith sealed the win, returning a fumble by running back James Stewart 47 yards for a touchdown with 2: 24 left for the game's final points.

HE "appeared to be a very nice, handsome young man."-- a neighbor describing Joshua Earl Patrick Phillips, the 14-year-old from Jacksonville, Fla., charged this week with the murder of an 8-year-old girl, whose battered, stabbed and decomposing body was found stuffed beneath his water bed."The thing that stood out the most was his conduct. He was one you never had to call down, say 'Get quiet, let's don't do that.' He was always so polite, so well-mannered."-- a pastor's wife describing Mitchell Johnson, the 13-year-old who was convicted with friend Andrew Golden, 12, of killing four schoolmates and a teacher in Jonesboro, Ark., last March.

When the Jacksonville Jaguars were practicing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the start of training camp, Andre Rison broke free on one play and caught a long pass as the fans cheered.Rison even did a little dance to celebrate.But he didn't get any congratulations when he returned to the huddle.Instead, he heard offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride telling the players that free-lancing wouldn't be tolerated.It turned out that Rison was supposed to run a short pattern on that play.Rison's tendency to free-lance -- along with his habit of being late or missing meetings -- is one of the reasons he's on his third team in three years even though he leads all other seven-year veterans in receptions (522)

SCOUTING REPORT Ravens rushing vs. Jaguars run defense -- EVEN In the last meeting with the Jaguars, Ravens running back Jason Brookins ran for 77 yards and a touchdown in the second half. Last Sunday, Brookins gained a season-high 89 yards on 21 carries. While the Jaguars have given up an average of 119 yards on the ground the past four games, they have solid talent with linebackers Hardy Nickerson and Kevin Hardy, who combined for 18 tackles against the Ravens. Ravens passing vs. Jaguars pass defense -- EVEN Elvis Grbac has struggled mightily this season.

One of the reasons why Towson struggled to average 7.9 goals per game last season was the team's inability to force opposing goalkeepers to make saves. The offense scored just 102 times off 430 shots last spring, succeeding just 23. 7 percent of the time. The Tigers may be putting that memory in the rearview mirror after scoring 12 goals on 27 shots in a two-goal win against Jacksonville in both teams' season openers last Saturday. Converting 44.4 percent of the shots was a relief for coach Shawn Nadelen.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Steve Spurrier couldn't resist the temptation to revive his Fun 'N' Gun offense in the state where he perfected it, and that decision proved disastrous for the Washington Redskins. The Redskins could not overcome their offensive woes, and the defense that bent finally broke as the host Jacksonville Jaguars scored 26 unanswered points to register a 26-7 thrashing before 66,665 at Alltel Stadium yesterday. The loss ended a two-game winning streak for Washington (4-5)

Scouting report Ravens rushing vs. Jaguars run defense RAVENS The Ravens have gained more yards rushing (711) than any team in the league, although their per-game average of 142.2 ranks second. Jacksonville gave up 209 rushing yards in a 24-13 loss to Pittsburgh last week. The Jaguars may have to play without DT Gary Walker (knee) and MLB Hardy Nickerson (hamstring), weakening them up the middle. Ravens LT Jonathan Ogden (ankle) is out, and he'll be replaced by Spencer Folau. RT Harry Swayne (ankle)

The Ohio State men's lacrosse team opened Eastern College Athletic Conference play with a 10-9 win Sunday over No.3 Denver in the Moe's Southwest Grill Classic at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. The Buckeyes (3-0, 1-0 ECAC) used two goals late in the third quarter and another pair of goals early in the fourth to hold off the Pioneers (0-1, 0-1). Logan Schuss led the Buckeyes with five goals, while Dominique Alexander added two goals and four assists. Tyler Frederick had a point on each of Ohio State's final three goals and finished with a goal and two assists.

The Atlantic Coast Conference will hold its first football championship game in Jacksonville, Fla., the league announced yesterday. The city beat out six others for the honor, including Baltimore, which was considered a long shot to land the game. ACC faculty representatives unanimously chose Jacksonville over Charlotte, N.C., Miami, Orlando, Fla., Baltimore, Tampa, Fla., and Washington in a conference call Wednesday. The agreement calls for Jacksonville to host the game in 2005 and 2006, with the league holding an option to keep the game there in 2007 and 2008.