Jaguars, Giants secure spots in playoffs; Titans control fate

The Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants secured playoff berths yesterday, while the Tennessee Titans took control of their fate in the AFC.

The Jaguars' 49-11 romp past Oakland gave them an 11-4 record and the fifth seed in the AFC. The Jaguars will finish second to Indianapolis in the AFC South and will open the playoffs at either San Diego or Pittsburgh in the wild-card round.

The Giants (10-5), who beat Buffalo, 38-21, will finish second to Dallas in the NFC East and play at either Seattle or Tampa Bay in the wild-card round.

Tennessee controls the other AFC wild-card spot. After beating the New York Jets, 10-6, the Titans (9-6) will make it by winning at Indianapolis next Sunday night. If the Titans lose, then the Browns (9-6) will go no matter what they do against San Francisco in their finale.

Although Tennessee owns the tiebreaker if both win, the Browns play an NFC team and have completed their schedule against AFC opponents at 7-5. Tennessee is 6-5 in conference and must beat the Colts to get to 7-5, sending the tiebreaker to record against common opponents, where the Titans have the edge.

The race for the second wild card in the NFC is among Minnesota, Washington and New Orleans. The Vikings lost to the Redskins last night, 32-21, and Washington can clinch a berth with a win next week over Dallas. *