PURR-FECT DAY FOR NEW CATS IN TOWN : ANDERSEN HANDS JAGS PLAYOFF BERTH.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

The Jacksonville Jaguars had every reason to believe their season would end Sunday.

They were written off at 4-7 after a 25-point loss at Pittsburgh five weeks ago. And they couldn't help but hang their heads when Morten Andersen took the field for a 30-yard field goal with four seconds left that would have ended their season and their playoff hopes.

``I thought it was over,'' quarterback Mark Brunell said.

It was - but in the Jaguars' favor.

Andersen, one of the best kickers in NFL history, appeared to slip as the ball squirted just left of the upright, giving the Jaguars a dramatic 19-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

It was the Jaguars' (9-7) fifth straight win, capping an amazing turnaround that made them the second second-year expansion team in the playoffs. Carolina, which earlier clinched a playoff berth, won the NFC West by beating Pittsburgh on Sunday.

``It almost renders me speechless,'' coach Tom Coughlin said. ``We're in the playoffs.''

Andersen's miss sparked a wild celebration on the Jags' sideline that spilled onto the field and - after Brunell took a knee to end the game - into the stands, as cornerbacks Aaron Beasley and Bucky Brooks jumped into the end zone bleachers like a couple of Cheeseheads.

``You've just got to believe in destiny when something like that happens,'' wide receiver Jimmy Smith said.

The Jags entered the game controlling their destiny. All they needed was a victory to advance to the playoffs. But time after time, they squandered opportunities to put away the Falcons - only to receive Andersen's gift.

A delirious crowd of 71,449 at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium watched the Jaguars take a 16-3 lead midway through the third quarter, but Atlanta (3-13) scored touchdowns on consecutive possessions to get to 19-17 with 5:39 remaining.

Jacksonville, which had scored on four consecutive drives, went three downs and out on its next possession, and the Falcons took over at their 30-yard line with 3:57 left. They quickly moved down the field, sparked by Tyrone Brown's 23-yard gain on a quick screen pass - a play that killed the Jaguars all day. Of Atlanta's 309 yards, 106 came via the screen.

Upon reaching Jacksonville's 12, the Falcons called timeout with 11 seconds left so quarterback Bobby Hebert could run one more play - a keeper to the right, centering the ball for Andersen's kick.

As Andersen lined up with 8 seconds remaining, coach Tom Coughlin said he was confident the Jaguars could block the kick.

``We had an opportunity,'' Coughlin said. ``(Defensive end) Tony Brackens had come free the time before (and nearly blocked Andersen's 46-yard field goal in the second quarter).''

Not all of Coughlin's players shared such optimism.

``I was thinking, `Man, I'm going to be home for Christmas now,' and I was trying to get that out of my head,'' linebacker Kevin Hardy said.

As it turned out, no Jaguar got his hand on the ball. Andersen just missed it.

Andersen, a 15-year NFL veteran, had made 59 consecutive kicks from 30 yards or closer - a streak dating to 1989.

``That's a kick I make in my sleep,'' Andersen said. ``But good things don't happen when you end up on the ground as a kicker.''

``I feel bad for Mort,'' Falcons coach June Jones said. ``But he's the greatest of all time and always will be. He just didn't make it today.''

The game probably should not have come down to that last kick. On three possessions inside the 10 and one that reached the 23, the Jags failed to score touchdowns, settling for four Mike Hollis field goals.

SUNDAY'S RESULTS

Philadelphia 29, Arizona 19

Jacksonville 19, Atlanta 17

Tampa Bay 34, Chicago 19

Houston 24, Baltimore 21

Cincinnati 31, Indianapolis 24

Buffalo 20, Kansas City 9

Miami 31, New York Jets 28

Green Bay 38, Minnesota 10

Carolina 18, Pittsburgh 14

Washington 37, Dallas 10

Seattle 28, Oakland 21

San Diego 16, Denver 10

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

Photo: (color) The Jaguars' Keenan McCardell (87) and Tony Brackens celebrate after Jacksonville beat Atlanta to qualify for the playoffs.

Associated Press

Box: SUNDAY'S RESULTS (see text)