Jaguars showing teeth

The Jacksonville Jaguars haven't been in first place this late in the season since they won the old AFC Central back in 1999. But coach Jack Del Rio and most of his players haven't been brave or foolish enough to utter the word "playoffs."

For good reason, too.

The Jaguars are 7-5, the same record as last year when they closed with a four-game losing streak to miss the playoffs. In 2006, they were 8-5 before losing their last three to miss the playoffs. So there's a pattern of December slides under the former Vikings linebacker turned Jags head coach.

"Last year, being 7-5, ... we kind of felt just lucky," Jaguars guard Uche Nwaneri told reporters after Sunday's old-fashioned 17-6 mauling of the Titans in Tennessee. "This year, we know we have the ability to play and beat anybody in the league."

NFL parity is a new feeling for those in the AFC South, where the Colts won six of the first eight titles. A year ago, the Colts were 12-0. This year, they're 6-6 as Peyton Manning has thrown 11 interceptions in the past three weeks, including four that were returned for touchdowns.

The Colts, of course, aren't the only defending division champion struggling. Heading into Monday night's game between the Jets (9-2) and Patriots (9-2), seven of the eight divisions were led by teams that didn't win their division a year ago. A Jets victory was needed to make it all eight divisions.

The Steelers, Jaguars, Chiefs, Giants, Bears, Falcons, Rams and Seahawks are non-playoff teams from 2009 that lead or share the lead in their divisions. Meanwhile, the Bengals, Cowboys and Cardinals are 2009 division champions who are now in last place in their divisions.

"Everybody's behind us now," said running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who ran for 186 yards. "If we keep winning, then, hey, we're in the playoffs. Since I've been here, we've never been division champs, we've never had a playoff game at [home]. Right now, that's our goal."

Jacksonville hasn't won a division title since 1999 when coach Tom Coughlin led them to the AFC Central championship with a 14-2 record. That also was the last year the Jags had a home playoff game. They blew out the Dolphins 62-7 in what was the last game for Dan Marino and Jimmy Johnson. Then they lost to Tennessee 33-14 in the AFC title game at home.

Since then, the Jaguars have made more news for leading the league in fan apathy, television blackouts and potential for relocation to Los Angeles.

Del Rio became the second head coach in franchise history in 2003. He has not won a division title and is 65-62, including 1-2 in playoff games. His best team went 12-4 in 2005 but lost 28-3 in a wild-card game at New England.

Del Rio probably would have been fired during a 14-20 slide the past two seasons. However, a lucrative contract extension signed in April of 2008 has kept him on the sideline through this season.

On paper, the Jaguars appear to have a relatively easy stretch against four teams that are either 5-7 or 6-6. But one of those games is at Indianapolis a week from Sunday. That game could decide Del Rio's fate. The other games are against unpredictable Oakland at home Sunday, Washington at home on Dec. 26 and the Texans at Houston to finish the regular season.

Will the Jaguars take down Manning and save Del Rio's neck? Or will Manning return to form and get Del Rio bounced? It's too close to call.