Win versus Cowboys earns Jaguars superb grade for 2nd week in a row

The Jacksonville Jaguars have had their fair share of stinkers in 2022 but have also had several pretty good outings and earned superb grades along the way. And for the second straight week, the Jags got the highest possible mark.

John Breech of CBS Sports graded all the teams that played in Week 15 and gave the Jags an A. Breech argues that they could’ve waved the white flag but instead turned it on against Dallas.

"The Jaguars (6-8) could have tapped out down 17 against the Cowboys, the NFC’s top wild-card team. No one would have blamed them. They’re a team that has had the first overall draft pick in each of the last two drafts, very much still building toward the team they hope to be. However, Trevor Lawrence turned it on, continuing his top-five quarterback level of play that he has brought to the field in each game since Week 9."

Breech went on to praise safety Rayshawn Jenkins for “sealing the game with a pick-six”, which he cites as a clear example of the Jaguars playing complementary football. On the other hand, Breech gave the Cowboys a C for giving up a 17-point lead in the third quarter and collapsing.

The Jaguars kept their focus and kept working vs. the Cowboys

One of the things that stands out about the Jags’ win over Dallas was their ability to keep fighting when they’re trailing. Following the game, Doug Pederson credited players for not losing their focus.

“I don’t think they worry too much about where it is, what the score is. I really don’t”, Pederson said. “They just keep focusing on their job and getting better and what they’re doing in game. We keep chipping away and somewhere we’re gonna get a stop on defense or a takeaway somewhere. We’re going to score a touchdown or a field goal on offense, special teams are going to step up and that’s why you play 60 minutes”.

Of course, the Jaguars were able able to get ahead of the Cowboys on the scoreboard because they have plenty of studs. Lawrence and Jenkins played a key role in the win but wide receiver Zay Jones, defensive end Dawuane Smooth, tight end Evan Engram and kicker Riley Patterson also came through.

The Jaguars were inconsistent early in the 2022 season but they’re building momentum ahead of the second half, to the point where they’re seen as legitimate contenders to seize the AFC South crown. Pederson’s coaching is certainly a big reason why.