"The night of Sept. 19 might have been the low moment of David Garrard's four years as the Jacksonville Jaguars' starting quarterback.

In a 25-point loss to the San Diego Chargers, Garrard threw four interceptions, tying his career-high from 2006. Coach Jack Del Rio yanked him in the fourth quarter for Luke McCown, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the final minute. An Associated Press story the next day said the Jaguars were stuck with Garrard, at least for this season.

Garrard called Kent State coach Doug Martin, his offensive coordinator at East Carolina, with whom he remains close.

''He was down,'' Martin said. ''I told Dave, 'You're one game away from having your best game.' Since that time, he's played well. He focused on himself and quit worrying what everyone else was saying.''

Garrard enters the game today against the Browns at EverBank Field with the second-highest quarterback rating in the NFL, his 104.9 trailing only the Philadelphia Eagles' Michael Vick (115.1). Garrard's fourth-quarter passer rating (137.2) ranks first in the league, his completion percentage (69.4) is third. His 15 touchdown passes equal his total from 2008 and 2009.

After sitting out Oct. 24 against the Kansas City Chiefs with a concussion, Garrard tied his career-high the next week with four touchdown passes against the Dallas Cowboys and ran for another touchdown.

In the Jaguars' five victories, Garrard has completed 78.3 percent of his passes with 14 touchdowns and one interception for a 143.0 rating.

''It really comes down to execution,'' Del Rio said. ''He's been able to work in the same system for a number of years. He's been able to work with the same group of receivers; the time he's invested with that group has paid off. When he's been good, he's been really good.''

Ranking 17th in the league in passing last season, Garrard doesn't have an explanation for his success."