Gardner Minshew and the Jaguars rise in NFL Power Poll
By David Levin
Following a much-needed win over the Tennessee Titans, the Jacksonville Jaguars move up in FanSided.com’s NFL power rankings.
Last week Fansided.com’s Matt Verderame said Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew was entertaining. Now, the NFL analyst believes the team he plays for has a shot at making the playoffs.
Verderame bumped the Jaguars up to 19th in his most recent power poll, a seven-spot jump from last week by virtue of their 20-7 win over the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night. While the defense played up to its potential and reminded us of the 2017 version, the offense is still learning to move the football. The running game remains an issue, but it is stagnant in conjunction with a lack of continuity on the offensive line.
Minshew, in his second NFL start, showed he could lead his team to victory when it needed a win in desperate times.
"“Gardner Minshew is an overnight cult hero in Duval. The mustachioed 23-year-old has become a movement with the Jacksonville Jaguars, a walking meme and the ultimate underdog story,” Verderame wrote.More from Jacksonville Jaguars NewsJacksonville Jaguars should welcome Derrick Henry into the kingdomJaguars Rumors: Trent Baalke seems to be getting respect nowJaguars News: This division rival might be making a big moveFormer Jacksonville Jaguars S Johnathan Cyprien: “New Profession, Same Standards”Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram officially gets the franchise tag: 3 takeaways“Talking to league sources, Minshew’s ascension shouldn’t be stunning. Throughout training camp, the Jaguars were impressed by his above-average intelligence and an accurate arm. The former was showcased at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he scored a 42 on the Wonderlic test.”"
As long as Minshew plays within his skill-set and the Jaguars can figure out how to get Leonard Fournette into the open field more on running plays, the team has a shot like the other three teams in the AFC South to make the playoffs. The rookie sixth-rounder makes it exciting each time he steps on the field.
Believe it or not, it was the lack of size which caused the Washington State star to free-fall in the NFL Draft. For the record – Russell Wilson was drafted in the third round. David Garrard was taken in the fourth round. So guy named Tom Brady was taken in the sixth round. It’s still early yet in Minshew’s career to jump the gun here, but since he has already achieved cult-hero status, I thought I would mention it.
This week, he travels west to Denver, which is never an easy task.
"“His development has kept Jacksonville in the AFC South race. It’s also helped keep Jalen Ramsey in Jacksonville,” Verderame adds.“After demanding a trade from the Jaguars, there’s now more reason to believe general manager Dave Caldwell holds off with the team in contention. Next week, the Jaguars have a chance to be .500 if they can beat the winless Denver Broncos.”"