Jaguar Defense Is Impressive Again

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —  Normally a quiet sort, Wayne Weaver came running down the hallway and let out a yell: “How ‘bout them Jaguars!”

The team owner wasn’t the only one caught up in the emotion of Jacksonville’s 13-6 victory over the Tennessee Titans as the NFL returned Sunday after postponing last week’s games in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.

“It was a special day, a special event,” Weaver said. “I’m excited for the team, but I’m also excited for the kind of day the people had here.”

With 65,994 flag-waving fans watching, Stacey Mack replaced injured Fred Taylor and ran for 80 yards and a touchdown. The Jacksonville defense preserved the victory with three fourth-quarter stands, continuing a surprising two-game stretch without allowing a touchdown.

“If we’re doing what we should do, and having fun, there are no limits for this defense,” Jaguar linebacker T.J. Slaughter said. “Nobody’s satisfied yet, I don’t think. I know I’m not.”

The Jaguars (2-0) held their lead late in the final quarter with a fourth-and-one stop of Eddie George at the Jacksonville 15, and by forcing Neil O’Donnell into four consecutive incomplete passes from the Jacksonville nine on the next drive.

Tennessee (0-2) got the ball once more, at its 45 with 1:39 left, but Renaldo Wynn had his second sack, and O’Donnell followed with a pair of incompletions.

“We don’t need to start talking about being good,” Jaguar defensive tackle Gary Walker said. “Let people keep talking about Baltimore and Miami. We’re just going to keep working.”

Mark Brunell completed 17 of 25 passes for 235 yards with no interceptions as Jacksonville won its second in a row against Tennessee at Alltel Stadium--the place Titan Coach Jeff Fisher called his team’s home away from home after three consecutive victories in 1998-99.

“You know our history,” Brunell said. “Because of that, it’s nice to beat the Titans, whether it’s here or there.”

Taylor ‘s history of injuries continued, meanwhile, as he left the game after a second-quarter run with a strained groin muscle.