NFL Team History: The Jacksonville Jaguars

The pursuit for an NFL franchise in Jacksonville, Florida began in 1989 with an association known as Touchdown Jacksonville. In 1992, the quest became a reality as Jacksonville was granted an NFL franchise that would begin competing in 1995 along with the Carolina Panthers. The name Jaguars was selected as the team's identity.

The Jaguars were placed in the AFC Central Division along with the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Houston Oilers, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Former Boston College head coach Tom Coughlin was hired to lead the newly granted Jacksonville franchise. The recently constructed Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, now ALLTEL Stadium, would become the home for the Jaguars.

Offensive lineman, Tony Boselli, was the first player drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1995 NFL Draft.

On September 3, 1995, the Jaguars played their first NFL game at home against the Houston Oilers. Unfortunately for the 70,000 plus in attendance, the Jaguars were defeated 10-3 by the Oilers. It was not until the fourth game of the season when the Jaguars finally won their first franchise game in Houston against the Oilers. The final score in that contest was 17-16.

The inaugural season for the Jacksonville Jaguars ended with a 4-12 regular season record.

In 1996, the Jaguars staggered the NFL with a 9-7 regular season. The record was sufficient enough to earn the Jaguars a post-season berth in only their second year of existence. The season ended with the Jaguars winning six consecutive games.

In the post-season, the Jaguars slipped past the Buffalo Bills 30-27, and stunned the AFC's top team, the Denver Broncos, 30-27. In the AFC Championship contest, the Cinderella story was put to rest with a 20-6 loss to the New England Patriots.

The Jaguars improved to 11-5 in 1997; however, they were pummeled by the eventual Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos 42-17. A year later, the Jaguars clinched their third consecutive playoff berth, but the Super Bowl dream came to an abrupt end with a 34-24 loss to the New York Jets.

In 1999, the Jaguars composed a franchise-best 14-2 regular season record, and were considered the odds-on favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, following a 62-7 trouncing over the Miami Dolphins in the divisional match-up, they were thumped by the Tennessee Titans 33-14 in the AFC Championship event.

The 2000 season marked the beginning of a downward spiral for the Jacksonville club. The encountered their first losing season since their expansion season of 1995. In fact, it was not until 2004 when the Jaguars would complete their first winning season since theit remarkable run in 1999. They closed out the year with a 9-7 record, but still failed to reach the post-season.

In 2002, due to the NFL realignment, the Jaguars were placed in the AFC South Division along with the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, and Tennessee Titans. Jack Del Rio was hired as the new head coach of the Jaguars prior to the 2003 season, so began a restructuring phase. Quarterback Mark Brunell and wide receiver Jimmy Smith were winding down their careers in Jacksonville. Smith would retire in 2005.

In 2005, the Jaguars posted a stout 12-4 record; however, they were often overlooked as AFC contenders as the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, and Pittsburgh Steelers dominated the headlines. They were set to compete in their first post-season game of the decade. In the Wild Card match-up versus defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, the Jaguars inexperience was exposed as they were crushed 28-3.

In 2006, the Jaguars took a couple of steps in the wrong direction as they posted an 8-8 regular season record.

Prior to the 2007 season, quarterback David Garrard became the starter, replacing the inconsistent Byron Leftwich.