Jaguars Time Capsule: Looking back at Week 5 of Jacksonville's 1996 NFL playoff run

JAGUARS TIME CAPSULE

The 2021 season marks the 25-year anniversary of the Jaguars' run to the 1996 AFC Championship game in their second season of existence. As the season progresses, the Times-Union will take a week-by-week look back at that campaign.

Week 5: Jaguars 24, Panthers 14 (Sept. 29, 1996)

Desperation time. The Jaguars didn't dare flip the calendar to October 1996 at 1-4, but unbeaten Carolina was coming to town. Against the expansion rival Panthers, and former Jacksonville quarterback, Steve Beuerlein, the Jags made no mistake. The Jacksonville pass rush pummeled Beuerlein with five sacks, and the ground game ran wild — 96 yards and two touchdowns from James Stewart, 56 yards on scrambles from the ever-mobile Mark Brunell. The Jags seized a 17-0 edge and didn't look back. Rookie Tony Brackens halted a Panthers drive by recovering a fumble at the 1, and Jacksonville drew first blood in the Expansion Bowl.

Coach under fire:Jaguars coach Urban Meyer apologizes for 'stupid' distraction after bar video

Jaguars Notebook:Next quarter, birthday boy Trevor and containing a beast

Putting the brakes on a bulldozer:Jaguars next challenge Titans, running back Derrick Henry

Read the Times-Union's weekly Jaguars Time Capsule looking back at the 1996 run to the AFC Championship game.