Jacksonville Jaguars Week 12 Power Rankings: Playoff Contenders
By Daniel Lago
The Jacksonville Jaguars did their part to make the AFC South race an interesting one on Thursday night, defeating the Tennessee Titans 19-13 in a game where the offense never got it going.
Unfortunately, the Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets failed to hold up their end of the bargain, losing to the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans respectively.
More from Jacksonville Jaguars News
- Jacksonville Jaguars should welcome Derrick Henry into the kingdom
- Jaguars Rumors: Trent Baalke seems to be getting respect now
- Jaguars News: This division rival might be making a big move
- Former Jacksonville Jaguars S Johnathan Cyprien: “New Profession, Same Standards”
- Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram officially gets the franchise tag: 3 takeaways
It appears the Jaguars will need to put together a more respectable record and crawl towards .500 if they want to actually compete for the division. Despite their issues at the quarterback position, the Colts and Texans are both persevering and finding ways to win games.
Here’s where the Jaguars fell in some of the power rankings around the web after a big win to keep pace in the division:
"27. Jacksonville JaguarsThe Jacksonville Jaguars are a very middling unit at best, but they are somehow only a game out in the dreadful AFC South. The Jaguars are getting improved play out of second-year quarterback Blake Bortles and have a true star receiver in Allen Robinson. Outside of them, the offense is still a work in progress. The good news? The Jaguars are climbing out of the basement in the division and should be able to fight for second place before all is set and done. Don’t expect any miracles with this group, but the Jaguars are at least making strides after years of nothingness.LAST WEEK: 26"
"22. Jaguars (4-6) HIGH: 22 / LOW: 32Wide receiver Allen Robinson is in the top six among all NFL wide receivers in receiving yards and touchdowns. His breakout sophomore campaign has helped second-year quarterback Blake Bortles emerge."
"27. JaguarsThe Jaguars have won two in a row and three of their past four. Their next two opponents (Chargers, Titans) are a combined 4-16 this season."
"27. JaguarsAt 4-6, they’re one game out of the division lead. That’s hard to believe after their start."
"26. Jaguars (4-6, LW: 27)It’s not like they played that well against the Titans last Thursday night. But a win is a win, and they’re still just a game out of a playoff berth."
"25. JaguarsSo I guess Andre Branch is Gargamel. In the fierce Thursday night contest of baby poop vs. the Smurfs, the Jaguars’ defense made the plays when it absolutely had to have them, with a forced fumble late, as well as Branch’s clutch sack on the final play. Interesting that, for the second year in a row, Jacksonville beat the Titans at home with a sack on the final play. How about that AFC South race?"
Next: Jags v. Titans prediction recap
My take:
I don’t have a problem with most of these rankings, but I do find it curious that ESPN decided to move the Jaguars down a spot after a victory. According to the worldwide leader, the Jaguars are worse than the Lions, Dolphins, and Rams… I don’t agree with that.
Regardless, I don’t have the Jaguars much higher in my own personal rankings. The team still hasn’t put together a complete performance in a comfortable win. If the Jaguars really are a competitor for the division then we’ll start seeing some emphatic victories in the near future thanks to a disturbingly easy schedule, starting with the fledgling San Diego Chargers at home.
My ranking for the Jaguars after week 11: 26