• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Jaguars wrap up playoff berth

Dec 24, 2007 - 1:40 AM JACKSONVILLE, Florida (Ticker) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars did not waste any time setting up a playoff-clinching party.

David Garrard threw a pair of touchdowns and ran for one as the Jaguars bolted to a 25-point halftime lead en route to a 49-11 drubbing of the Oakland Raiders.

Fred Taylor and Maurice-Jones Drew each rushed for a touchdown as Jacksonville scored the most points in franchise history and wrapped up a wild card berth with its third consecutive victory.

The victory locked up the No. 5 seed for the Jaguars, setting up a first-round playoff matchup against either the San Diego Chargers or Pittsburgh Steelers.

Taylor rushed for 111 yards on just seven carries to record his fifth straight 100-yard performance. He helped set the tone as Jacksonville went ahead on its first play from scrimmage.

"I thought it was fitting to be able to close it out here in style at home and have a real decisive victory," Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio said. "A lot of good things going on. Freddy going over 100 yards for the fifth straight game and David (Garrard) operating very efficiently ... just some good stuff.

"We'll enjoy Christmas, obviously."

Snubbed in the Pro Bowl voting earlier in the week, Taylor broke an initial tackle and, aided by some excellent downfield blocking, rambled 62 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.

It was the 69th career touchdown for Taylor, tying the franchise record held by former wide receiver Jimmy Smith.

"We have to keep it in perspective," Taylor said. "We're only guaranteed one extra game right now."

Jones-Drew doubled the advantage with a 14-yard scoring run with 3:21 left in the opening period. The big play in the seven-play, 84-yard drive was a 43-yard reception from Garrard to Jones-Drew.

"We do see great backs in the AFC but Fred and Maurice are two very good backs," Raiders linebacker Thomas Howard said. "They're a great one-two combo - one of the best in the league."

The Raiders then inserted rookie JaMarcus Russell, the No. 1 overall pick, at quarterback in place of Josh McCown, and he promptly threw a pair of interceptions.

The first actually benefited the Raiders. Reggie Nelson picked off Russell but fumbled the ball away, leading to a 43-yard field goal by Sebastian Janikowski to cut it to 14-3 with 13:59 left in the half.

Jacksonville turned the game into a rout soon thereafter with 35 unanswered points. Scott Starks returned a punt 56 yards to set up Garrard's 2-yard TD pass to Greg Jones.

Terry Cousin then picked off Russell, leading to Garrard's 2-yard run and a 28-3 cushion with 6:08 to play in the half.

"Guys are hungry. This is a different ball team," Garrard said. "You know guys are very focused now and their minds are on winning, not on anything else. I think the coaches are doing a great job of keeping us dialed in each week no matter who we're playing."

It could have been worse for the Raiders, but linebacker Kirk Morrison intercepted Garrard at the goal line in the final minute of the half.

Just prior to the interception, Oakland defensive tackle Warren Sapp was ejected after he and defensive end Derrick Burgess were assessed unsportsmanlike conduct penalties with 21 seconds left in the half.

"The whole game was out of control from the second play," Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said. "It was embarrassing really, mortifying if I can use that word. That was probably the most disappointing loss, especially this late in the season."

Garrard threw his second TD pass in the third quarter, a 37-yarder to Matt Jones to boost the lead to 35-3.

That ended the day for Garrard, who finished 11-of-18 for 199 yards, two TDs and one interception before he was relieved by Quinn Gray.

Jacksonville's Reggie Williams set a team record by catching his ninth touchdown pass of the season in the fourth quarter, eclipsing the previous mark held by Smith.

Russell completed 7-of-23 passes for 83 yards and three interceptions for the Raiders, but he tossed a 2-yard TD to tight end Zach Miller with seven seconds to play.

"It was a big challenge, especially against that defense," Russell said. "I have to learn to throw it away instead of trying to make the big plays."