ASHBURN, Va. -- The plane that carried the Washington Redskins to Jacksonville, Fla., yesterday contained plenty of baggage, and it wasn't just the clothes-filled variety.
Coach Steve Spurrier, defensive tackle Daryl Gardener and defensive end Renaldo Wynn have added incentive to extend Washington's winning streak to three games with a victory over the Jaguars at 4:05 p.m. today at Alltel Stadium.
Spurrier's ties to the Jacksonville area are well-documented. For 12 years, he coached the University of Florida in Gainesville, about 75 miles from Jacksonville.
As a coach of the Gators and the Tampa Bay Bandits of the defunct U.S. Football League and a Florida quarterback, Spurrier owned a 13-3 record in Jacksonville. When he announced his resignation from the university in January, some NFL observers believed Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver would hire Spurrier.
Instead, Weaver extended coach Tom Coughlin's contract for another year, thereby rejecting Spurrier and encouraging him to take the helm of the Redskins.
While the decision infuriated some Spurrier supporters, the coach has been diplomatic about his return.
"Every game is about the same," he said. "They all count the same."
Quarterback Shane Matthews, who played the same position for Spurrier with the Gators from 1990 to 1992, said his coach's reputation for winning seven Southeastern Conference crowns and the 1996 national championship will precede him.
"Most people think he just took over a powerhouse," Matthews said. "Florida had never won an SEC title and had never done anything in football. He made them into a powerhouse. They love him down there, and I wouldn't be surprised if we have more fans in the stands than the Jaguars."
Wynn was drafted by Jacksonville in the first round of the 1997 draft, but was a salary-cap casualty after last season.
Wynn isn't bitter about being released, but he acknowledged his desire to beat his former squad.
"There's still a fire," he said. "I don't think I can stand losing to those guys. This is one I definitely marked on the calendar a long time ago."
The venom missing from Spurrier's and Wynn's comments has been supplied by Gardener, who was on the 1999 Miami Dolphins team that suffered a 62-7 shellacking by the Jaguars in an AFC divisional playoff game.
"This is personal," said Gardener, who watched Jacksonville post the second-most points in NFL postseason history and the most in an AFC playoff game. "I'm not playing around with Coughlin because I know what he's about and I know what he's going to try to do. I know he's going to have it out for No. 92 [Gardener]."
Coughlin may have more pressing issues on his mind as the Jaguars (3-5) have dropped four straight and haven't won since edging the Philadelphia Eagles, 28-25, on Oct. 6.
Quarterback Mark Brunell, running back Fred Taylor and wide receiver Jimmy Smith were supposed to lead a potent offense, but the unit is averaging just 15 points in its past four games and has scored an NFL-low 10 points in the first quarter.
The Redskins' offense has had its own problems, especially passing. The last quarterback to complete at least 50 percent of his passes was Patrick Ramsey in a 31-14 win against the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 6.
Running back Stephen Davis might sit out his second consecutive game because of a sprained right knee, paving the way for Kenny Watson to follow up his 110-yard effort against the Seattle Seahawks last week.
Washington (4-4) should receive a warm greeting in Jacksonville. It is expected that all 73,000 seats at Alltel will be sold for the first time since 1999.
And local media outlets are already calling today's game Coughlin's most important since losing the AFC championship to the Titans in 1999.
Coughlin wouldn't be baited into applying the same characterization.
"Every game is a game we have to win," he said. "You have to believe you can win, and you have to go out and do it. It doesn't make any difference whether you're the New York Jets going to San Diego or what."
THREE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. The quarterback
Shane Matthews has guided Washington to two straight wins since regaining the starting role, but his numbers have been less than stellar. He is 27-for-62 (43.5 percent) for 324 yards and four TDs with one interception. Still, coach Steve Spurrier demands results, and Matthews could get the hook again.
2. Fun 'N' Run?
The Redskins have called more running plays than pass plays in the past three games, winning twice. Jacksonville is ranked 26th in run defense, so the streak might reach four.
3. Turnover battle
In its four wins, Washington is plus-7 in turnover ratio. In its four losses, the ratio is minus-12. The Jaguars are tied for second in the AFC at plus-4. Staying on the positive side will be crucial for Washington.
Redskins today
Opponent:Jacksonville Jaguars
Site:Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla.
Time:4:05 p.m.
TV/Radio:Chs. 45, 5/WNAV (1430 AM), WJFK (106.7 FM)
Line:Jaguars by 3