SPORTS EXTRA / FOOTBALL ‘99: NFL PREVIEW : AFC TOP TO BOTTOM: CAPSULES BY FERNANDO DOMINGUEZ

1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

A retooled defense and a solid offense makes Jacksonville a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Coach: Tom Coughlin (35-29)

1998 record: 11-5.

Newcomer to make impact: Safety Carnell Lake, switching from cornerback at Pittsburgh to his strongest position, solidifies the secondary.

Little-known fact: The Jaguars are the only expansion team in NFL history to have advanced to the playoffs three times in their first four seasons.

Stat that must change: Equally incompetent at defending against the pass or the run, the Jaguars yielded 347.4 yards a game.

*

2. MIAMI DOLPHINS

Coach Jimmy Johnson has laid the groundwork but needs the ground game to kick in for the Dolphins to reach the next level.

Coach: Johnson (71-57)

1998 record: 10-6.

Newcomer to make impact: Rookie running back Cecil “the Diesel” Collins from McNeese State. The guy’s a walking police blotter but also a gifted ballcarrier who can run inside or outside.

Little-known fact: Dan Marino needs 1,087 yards passing to become the first player to reach 60,000.

Stat that must change: The Dolphins averaged 3.4 yards rushing, worst in the AFC.

*

3. DENVER BRONCOS

Without retired quarterback John Elway, Terrell Davis’ running is not enough to bring the Broncos an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title.

Coach: Mike Shanahan (55-29)

1998 record: 14-2.

Newcomer to make impact: Cornerback Dale Carter, who had 39 tackles and two interceptions with Kansas City.

Little-known fact: The Broncos need to win their first four home games to set an NFL record of 28 consecutive home victories, surpassing Miami’s streak of 27 from 1971-74.

Stat that must change: Denver gave back every yard and more that Elway and his backups gained through the air, ranking 26th in passing defense.

*

4. NEW YORK JETS

If quarterback Vinny Testaverde’s clock doesn’t strike midnight, the Jets can go to the ball, er, Bowl.

Coach: Bill Parcells (130-92-1)

1998 record: 12-4.

Newcomer to make impact: Safety Steve Atwater was a force at Denver and should be one with the Jets.

Little-known fact: The Jets each took home a $32,500 losers’ share from the conference title game, $17,500 more each than Joe Namath and company got for winning Super Bowl III in 1969.

Stat that must change: New York averaged 40.6 yards a punt, worst in the AFC, hence the signing of free agent Tom Tupa away from New England. Tupa was ninth in the league with a 44.5-yard average.

*

5. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

New boss Mike Holmgren is hoping third-year quarterback Jon Kitna is through cutting his teeth.

Coach: Holmgren (75-37)

1998 record: 8-8.

Newcomer to make impact: Wide receiver Sean Dawkins, who last season caught 53 passes for 823 yards and a touchdown at New Orleans.

Little-known fact: Seattle’s only Monday night game this season is Nov. 1 at Green Bay, Holmgren’s stomping ground the last seven years.

Stat that must change: The Seahawks had the poorest third-down efficiency rating in the league at 27.7%.

*

6. PITTSBURGH STEELERS

The Steelers have installed an aggressive down-the-field attack, but whether quarterback Kordell Stewart can execute it is another story.

Coach: Bill Cowher (71-41)

1998 record: 7-9.

Newcomer to make impact: Rookie safety Scott Shields from Weber State can also punt and kick in a pinch.

Little-known fact: Cowher and Minnesota’s Dennis Green are starting their eighth seasons with their teams, the most by active coaches.

Stat that must change: Stewart’s 62.9 quarterback rating barely beat out those of immortals Don Hollas of Oakland and Craig Whelihan and Ryan Leaf of San Diego among AFC starters.

*

7. TENNESSEE TITANS

Quarterback Steve McNair’s stiff back had better loosen up or Nashville’s latest hick show is doomed.

Coach: Jeff Fisher (32-38)

1998 record: 8-8.

Newcomer to make impact: Rookie end Jevon Kearse from Florida has the speed and quickness to beat offensive tackles.

Little-known fact: Al Del Greco needs one field goal to become the 12th NFL player to reach 300.

Stat that must change: The Titans dropped opposing quarterbacks only 30 times.

*

8. BUFFALO BILLS

The well rounded Bills will prove that last season was no Flutie fluke, making for a tight race in the East division.

Coach: Wade Phillips (27-25)

1998 record: 10-6.

Newcomer to make impact: Rookie wide receiver Peerless Price last season caught 61 passes for 920 yards and 10 touchdowns at Tennessee.

Little-known fact: Eric Moulds was the only NFL receiver with 50 or more catches to average 20 yards per reception at 20.4.

Stat that must change: The Bills gave up 27 touchdowns passing, one fewer than AFC leader Denver.

*

9. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

So the Chiefs are reduced to Elvis Grbac or Warren Moon, 43, to lead an offensive revival. What, Dieter Brock wasn’t available?

Coach: Gunther Cunningham (first year)

1998 record: 7-9.

Newcomer to make impact: Linebacker Marvcus Patton, who is coming off a 143-tackle season with the Washington Redskins.

Little-known fact: Born in Munich, Germany, Cunningham is the fourth foreign-born head coach in league history.

Stat that must change: The Chiefs set an NFL season record with 158 penalties.

*

10. BALTIMORE RAVENS

With Scott Mitchell or Tony Banks at quarterback, the Ravens had better call a Priest other than Holmes.

Coach: Brian Billick (first year)

1998 record: 6-10.

Newcomer to make impact: Tackle Harry Swayne, fresh off Denver’s formidable offensive line, provides experience and stability.

Little-known fact: Billick once worked in public relations for the San Francisco 49ers. Maybe he can give Art Modell a few tips.

Stat that must change: The Ravens scored 25 points or more in only three games.

*

11. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The sooner the whiny Patriots realize Bill Parcells is not coming back, the sooner they can regain their old form.

Coach: Pete Carroll (25-23)

1998 record: 9-7.

Newcomer to make impact: Rookie linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer from Ohio State. Ted Johnson is probably out for the season because of a torn biceps so Katzenmoyer is taking his spot in the middle.

Little-known fact: The Patriots, who hope to build a new stadium in Foxboro, Mass., for the 2001 season, played their home games at Boston University Field in 1960, their first season in the old American Football League.

Stat that must change: The running game averaged 92.5 yards and managed a pathetic 68 first downs.

*

12. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Although the rebuilding is far from over, the Colts are much improved, thanks to several excellent acquisitions.

Coach: Jim Mora (96-87)

1998 record: 3-13.

Newcomer to make impact: Rookie running back Edgerrin James from Miami. With Marshall Faulk shipped to St. Louis, James has a chance to shine right away.

Little-known fact: Twelve-year veteran linebacker Cornelius Bennett, acquired through free agency from Atlanta, is the Colts’ only player with 10 or more years of NFL experience.

Stat that must change: The Colts were one rung from the basement in defense, giving up 364.8 yards per game.

*

13. OAKLAND RAIDERS

Another meltdown awaits this outfit still trumpeting an intimidating factor it can no longer back up.

Coach: Jon Gruden (8-8)

1998 record: 8-8.

Newcomer to make impact: Rookie linebacker K.D. Williams, from Henderson State by way of the CFL and NFL Europe, is a speedy playmaker who can play either outside position.

Little-known fact: The Raiders have the toughest schedule this year. Hmm, might that prompt Al Davis to sue the league?

Stat that must change: The Raiders were sacked 67 times for a staggering 446 yards, both league highs.

*

14. CINCINNATI BENGALS

No defense. No offense. No bankroll left after dumping $56 million on rookie quarterback Akili Smith. Way to usher in the new season.

Coach: Bruce Coslet (43-62)

1998 record: 3-13.

Newcomer to make impact: Rookie cornerback Charles Fisher from West Virginia has outstanding speed and knows how to cover.

Little-known fact: Cincinnati has the league’s second-softest schedule, facing only two teams that reached the playoffs last season--Jacksonville, twice, and San Francisco.

Stat that must change: The Bengals gave up a league-high 452 points and held only one opponent under 20 points.

*

15. CLEVELAND BROWNS

Dawg Pound members, and most everyone else, hope two things happen for the expansion Browns: quarterback Tim Couch, the draft’s top pick, develops quickly and Cleveland beats Baltimore at least once.

Coach: Chris Palmer (first year)

1998 record: Didn’t play.

Newcomer to make impact: Linebacker Jamir Miller, who had 113 tackles and three sacks last season with Arizona.

Little-known fact: Defensive tackle Jerry Ball, tackle Orlando Brown and defensive back Antonio Langham played for the old Browns.

Stat that must change: None yet, but there will be plenty to pick apart after the season.

*

16. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Immature quarterback Ryan Leaf is hurt and out of the mix, and the league’s top defensive unit in 1998 returns with slight modifications, giving the Chargers a desperately needed boost.

Coach: Mike Riley (first year)

1998 record: 5-11.

Newcomer to make impact: Quarterback Jim Harbaugh, a proven leader and fierce competitor respected by teammates.

Little-known fact: Leaf is right. Nobody likes him.

Stat that must change: San Diego’s comatose offense had a league-leading 34 interceptions and lost 17 fumbles.