Jaguars finish 2022 regular season in top 10 of NFL Power Rankings

The Jacksonville Jaguars went from having the worst record in the NFL last season to making the playoffs. While they were expected to improve under head coach Doug Pederson, not many analysts predicted they would finish 9-7 and seize the AFC South. Not surprisingly, they ended the year in the top 10 of most power rankings.

The Jags are eighth in Pro Football Talk’s final 2022 power rankings and Dan Hanzus of NFL Media gave them the same spot in his. Hanzus credits safety Rayshawn Jenkins and outside linebacker Josh Allen for helping Jacksonville dispose of the Tennessee Titans in Week 18. He goes on to say that he likes their chances against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.

"Rayshawn Jenkins walloped Titans quarterback Josh Dobbs from behind, allowing Josh Allen to scoop up the loose ball and take it to the house for the deciding touchdown in a dramatic 20-16 win over the Titans. We’ll allow that it’s possible there’s been a moment in Jags history where TIAA Bank Field has been louder, but we have our doubts. The Jags are AFC South champs for the first time since 2017, and it’s easy to like their chances playing in front of their home crowd in Saturday night’s wild-card showdown with the Chargers."

The Jags were trailing 16-13 in the fourth quarter when Jenkins hit Josh Dobbs and made him fumble. Allen scooped the ball and returned for the game-winning touchdown. That’s the second time in the 2022 season that Jenkins made a big play that helped Jacksonville come on top. Back in Week 15, he had the walk-off pick six in overtime that put the Dallas Cowboys away.

All the teams that  Hanzus ranked higher than the Jags made the playoffs and five of them are from the AFC. The only two representing the NFC are the Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Jaguars can beat the Chargers but must clean up mistakes

At one point of the season, the Jags had a 2-6 record and seemed on their way to picking in the top 10 of the draft for the fourth straight year. However, their resolve never waned, and eventually dug out of the hole they put themselves in. While it wasn’t always perfect, it was enough to help them make the playoffs and win the AFC South.

Trevor Lawrence had a surge and the defense played much better in the second half of the season. Similarly, wide receiver Zay Jones and tight end Evan Engram became the playmakers the team’s brass expected when they signed them in free agency. Now, the Jaguars are ready to host a playoff game. While the Chargers are favored to win, Jacksonville has enough talent on both sides of the ball to pull off the upset.

The Jags exceeded expectations in 2022 but they’ll have the chance to continue making noise Saturday. Based on how they’ve played, their season could extend beyond this week.