NFL analyst sticks the fork in Jaguars’ playoff hopes after loss to Chiefs

Even though the Jacksonville Jaguars are 3-7 and haven’t shown enough to make you think they can qualify for the postseason, head coach Doug Pederson thinks they could go on a run and finish 10-7. However, Pete Prisco of CBS Sports isn’t nearly as optimistic and believes the Jags are done for the year.

Prisco put together his weekly NFL power ranking and placed Jacksonville at No. 28. This isn’t surprising when you take into account that the Jaguars are coming off a loss and have dropped six of their last seven games. What’s noteworthy is that Prisco thinks their season is over. Here’s what he had to say.

"This season is done. It’s about 2023 now as they head to their bye. They have lost some tough games this season, but losing to the Chiefs wasn’t one of them."

The Jags’ loss to Kansas City accurately encapsulates how the 2022 season has unfolded for them. Although they had three takeaways and no giveaways in Week 10, they lost by 10 points because of Riley Patterson’s two missed field goals and their defense’s struggles to stop the Chiefs’ offense.

But defense isn’t the sole reason the Jags have lost games this year. Trevor Lawrence threw two costly interceptions against the Denver Broncos. Similarly, the defense did a good job of holding the Houston Texans to 13 points in Week 5. Yet, the offense mustered a measly six points, and that’s been the story of the 2022 Jaguars: Self-inflicted wounds and their inability to play complementary football.

What’s next for the Jaguars in the remainder of the 2022 season?

It’s possible the Jags do win their last seven games but there’s a higher chance they won’t, based on how they’re playing. They still have a few tough games on their schedule and it’s difficult to see them beating the Baltimore Ravens or even a New York Jets team that looks pretty good this year and has a shot at sneaking into the playoffs.

Of course, the Jags can’t just stop playing and start planning for 2023. Instead, the team’s brass will give more playing time to some of their younger players to see what they bring to the table. Doug Pederson met with the local media Monday and said that some players will get extra reps moving forward.

“If we were 7-3, maybe it’s a different story”, Pederson said. “We’re 3-7 and we’re still trying to figure out some pieces and who can play and all that. And this is a great opportunity for those guys to get time. We want them to play, we want them to get reps out there and every time and any time you want”.

Similarly, Trevor Lawrence’s development is still one of the organization’s biggest priorities. He might not have made the leap some expected (guilty as charged) but he’s still made strides and improved considerably since the end of the 2021 season.

So even though the Jaguars’ odds of qualifying for the postseason look bleak, they still have plenty to play for. Losing isn’t a pleasant experience but players don’t willingly do it, that’s why you’ll see Jacksonville competing in the remainder of the season, even if it’s not enough to earn a ticket to the playoffs.