Jacksonville Jaguars Tickets

Located in Jacksonville, Florida, the Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional National Football League(NFL) team. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference (AFC). Along with the Carolina Panthers, the Jaguars joined the NFL as 1995 expansion teams. Jacksonville is one of three teams that have never been able to play in either a Super Bowl or any other NFL Championship. The Houston Texans and the New Orleans Saints are the other two teams.

Jacksonville football history:
For decades, Jacksonville had been reputed as a good football town, hospitable for both college and pro football. The Gator Bowl, an annual civic highlight traditionally accompanied by parties, ceremonies, parades and other events leading up to the game is hosted successfully by the city every year. Jacksonville is also home popular annual game between the University of Georgia and University of Florida.

The Gator Bowl stadium was built out of steel trusses during the Great Depression. Short-lived teams in both the World Football League (Jacksonville Sharks/Express) and the United States Football League (Jacksonville Bulls) and the occasional NFL exhibition game are hosted by the stadium.

Jacksonville also has the honor of hosting the American Football League All Star Game in 1967 and 1968. An attempt was made by the city to lure the Baltimore Colts thousands of Jacksonville citizens urged Baltimore's owner to move the team there. In the late 1980s, City leaders also attempted to get the Houston Oilers to move to Jacksonville at one point. The Oilers were attempted to lure by creating a "Jacksonville Oilers" banner and designation of a specific section of the Gator Bowl as a non-alcohol, family section for proposed home games.

Welcome to the NFL 1991-1994
In 1991, the NFL decided to expand the league by two teams, originally in time for the 1993 season.With the addition of Seattle and Tampa Bay, the league had not expanded since the 1976 season. As the sport was growing, the NFL felt the time was right to add additional franchises. For the two new teams, Five cities were ultimately chosen as finalists: Charlotte, North Carolina; St. Louis, Missouri; Baltimore, Maryland; Memphis, Tennessee; and Jacksonville. From the beginning, Charlotte and St. Louis were considered the heavy favorites to win, with Baltimore also a strong possibility.

On the field: 1995-2005
In 1995, the Jacksonville Jaguars along with the Carolina Panthers entered the NFL as the first expansion teams in almost 20 years. The inaugural season of the Jaguars was finished with a record of 4-12. Many of the players who would lead Jacksonville to early successes began establishing themselves during this inaugural season. They include quarterback Mark Brunell (obtained in a trade with Green Bay), offensive lineman Tony Boselli (drafted with the 2nd pick overall in the 1995 NFL Draft) running back James Stewart (also drafted in 1995), and wide receiver Jimmy Smith (signed as a free agent).

The Jaguars were successful in winning the AFC Central Division in December 1998. They also have the distinction of becoming the first NFL expansion team to make the playoffs three times in its first four seasons of play. In the Wild Card Round, the Jaguars won their very first playoff game at home against the New England Patriots 25-10. However. in the Divisional Round, they were beat by the New York Jets at Giants Stadium 34-24.

2006
Jacksonville looked like a team on the rise coming off of their 12-4 season. Entering the season, they were considered a playoff contender. But the team was plagued by injuries . Reggie Hayward, Greg Jones, Donovin Darius, Byron Leftwich, and Mike Peterson all suffered season-ending injuries. Marcus Stroud and Fred Taylor also faced injuries during the season. The team started off 2-0, defeating the Dallas Cowboys and shutting out the defending champs Pittsburgh Steelers. But the next two games were lost by the team. They suffered embarrassing losses to the Houston Texans over the course of the season. With a 8-8 record, they missed the playoffs but there were some positives. Maurice Jones-Drew, the Jaguars' second round draft pick, was one of the most surprising rookie sensations. He averaged 5.7 yards a carry, the highest in the league, and tied for 3rd in the NFL with 16 touchdowns.