The Falcons and Jaguars have only faced each other a total of four times in regular season action with the last encounter coming at the Georgia Dome in 2003.

Eight years ago in the season finale of that ’03 campaign, Atlanta built up a 21-7 halftime lead, but then had to hold on to claim a 21-14 win.

In that contest, RB T.J. Duckett pounded the Jaguars defense, collecting 96 yards on the ground and he put the Birds on the board first with a 2-yard run to cap off the team’s opening possession.

On their next drive, interim head coach Wade Phillips dialed up his bag of tricks as Duckett started a flea-flicker play that would eventually end up in the arms of WR Peerless Price for a 44-yard touchdown.

Jacksonville closed the gap to 21-14 late in the third quarter after punt returner David Allen set up a Jaguars score with a 48-yard run back.

The Birds survived the Jaguars charge with a Juran Bolden blocked field goal and a strong defensive stand with 32 seconds remaining as Jaguars QB Byron Leftwich’s final pass attempt fell incomplete in the end zone to secure the Falcons victory.

Todd McClure is the only current Falcons player that has a memory of that game personally as he started at center in his 32nd consecutive game that day (on his way to a team-record 144 in-a-row from 2002-10).

The Falcons enjoy success when the NFL Network crew pulls into town. Last season on Thursday night football, the Birds captured one of the year’s most thrilling games with a 26-21 victory over the Ravens on WR Roddy White’s game-winning catch with :20 seconds left.

Let’s hope NFLN is another good luck charm this year and Atlanta can continue their march towards the playoffs.