Jaguars taking over top half of power rankings heading into Week 4

Are the Jacksonville Jaguars a playoff team? It’s starting to look that way. While there’s plenty of time left in the season and things can take a turn at any time, the Jags are playing well and have enough pieces in place to avoid a late-season collapse. Analysts are starting to notice, and you will see that reflected in most power rankings following Jacksonville’s dismantling of the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3.

The Jaguars made the top 10 in Bleacher Report’s most recent power ranking. Similarly, they popped up at No. 11 in Pro Football Talk’s while Pete Prisco of CBS Sports gave the ninth spot. The lowest you will find Jacksonville ahead of Week 4 is on NFL Media, and even then, they still got a favorable review at No. 18.

"Isn’t it strange how James Robinson couldn’t seem to find his way out of Urban Meyer’s doghouse last year, and now he’s one of the AFC’s most explosive running backs? It’s another example of the post-Meyer night-and-day vibes around the Jaguars, who have put together the best three-week performance in the AFC South — by far! — to start the season.Meanwhile, Trevor Lawrence threw three more touchdown passes and seems like a talented young quarterback ready to make the leap. After a beatdown of the Chargers in L.A:, the Jags have the feel of a legitimate playoff contender in their muddled conference. That Doug Pederson guy must know what he’s doing."

Dan Hanzus wrote this one, and he goes on to say that the Jaguars “have the feel of a legitimate playoff contender in their muddled conference“. As you can see, Hanzus has nothing but good things to say about Jacksonville, and they will continue moving up in power rankings if they keep racking up wins.

The Jaguars could hit a speed bump vs. the Eagles in Week 4

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is making significant strides in Year 2 while head coach Doug Pederson has helped the Jaguars heal after last year’s debacle. Moreover, Jacksonville has avoided the injury bug and hasn’t experienced any significant losses this year.

As recently as Week 2, they had no players listed on the Injury Report, and only offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen is at risk of not playing against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4. And that’s a good thing because the Jaguars will need to be at full strength if they want to pull off the upset at Lincoln Financial Field.

Because as good as the Jaguars, Philly is better when it comes to the win/loss column and the power rankings. Nick Sirianni’s squad was at the top of NFL Media’s rankings and CBS Sports, and No. 2 in PFT’s and B/R’s.

The Eagles have as healthy as the Jaguars and have enough talent on both sides of the ball to come on the top in Week 4. The fact that the game will be at the Linc will make it more difficult for Jacksonville to extend their two-game winning streak.

Having said that, this Jaguars team isn’t toothless and they can give Philadelphia a run for their money. Of course, they will need to keep mistakes at a minimum, and everyone will have to play the way they have the last two weeks. Is it difficult? Yes, but not impossible and if the Jags do beat the Eagles, it will be hard to justify keeping them out of the top ten in any power ranking after Week 4.