AFC South Week 4 Power Rankings: Jaguars hit a new low after loss to Bills

After the 2023 collapse, the Jacksonville Jaguars were rightly flying under the radar. However, it looked like they had the pieces to bounce back. After all, head coach Doug Pederson revamped the coaching staff on the defensive side of the ball while the front office made several additions to the roster. On top of that, Trevor Lawrence was at last healthy after dealing with a series of ailments that hindered his play last year.

This is to say that nobody wouldn't have blamed you if you believed that Jacksonville had the potential to be a contender. However, it's fair to say that three weeks into the 2024 season, they're nothing but a pretender.

It didn't matter that the front office locked up franchise cornerstones Trevor Lawrence and Josh Hines-Allen, or that the team revamped its arsenal of weapons on offense. It's all been pointless. For proof, look at where the Jaguars currently stand.

Besides losing three games in a row, Jacksonville ranks near the cellar of most meaningful offensive and defensive categories in the NFL. This begs the question, how do the Jags stack up against their division foes three weeks into the season? With that in mind, here's an AFC South ranking ahead of Week 4.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

2024 record: 0-3

Previous ranking: 3

That's right, the Jaguars hit rock bottom in this ranking and out of it. That sounds egregious at first time, but even Urban Meyer managed to beat the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills, something that the 2024 Jacksonville team failed to do.

Leaving Meyer aside, this isn't a rebuilding team. The Jaguars were setting their sights on the AFC South title in 2024 after reloading in the offseason. At least that was the expectation. So far, they haven't done enough to make you think that they'll turn things around. Heck, they are currently in a position to end with the first overall pick in next year's NFL Draft. That goes on to show how dreadful they are.

One thing I'll refrain from doing, though, is saying that it cannot get worse, because they can, and they probably will based on how things have played out the past three weeks.

3. Tennessee Titans

2024 record: 0-3

Previous ranking: 4

Like the Jaguars, the Tennessee Titans are 0-3 to start the 2024 season. There's one big difference, though. Unlike Jacksonville, the Titans have a rookie head coach, so bumps are bruises along the way are expected.

Moreover, it's still uncertain if Will Levis is the franchise quarterback in Nashville. If he isn't, general manager Ran Carthon can get first-year head coach Brian Callahan the one he wants in either free agency or the draft next year.

Sure, Tennessee is a bad team right now, but because it's young, there's hope they can either turn things around or at least finish the season strong. Meanwhile, the Jaguars suffered a collapse last year, and they've lost eight of their last nine games dating back to last year. That's why the Titans take the third spot in this AFC South ranking.

2. Indianapolis Colts

2024 record: 1-2

Previous ranking: 2

The Indianapolis Colts aren't faring much better than the Jaguars right now, but at least they showed promise in Week 3. After losing their first two games, they managed to beat the Chicago Bears. Sure, you could make the case that the Bears are far from a powerhouse but decent/good teams take care of business when they need to. The Colts did in Week 3.

On the other hand, Indy should be at least concerned — if not outright mortified — about Anthony Richardson's development. After showing progress in his shortened rookie season, he's regressed severely despite the fact that he's not seemingly injured.

If Richardson's play continues to hold the Colts back in 2024, they won't probably go far.

1. Houston Texans

2024 record: 2-1

Previous ranking: 1

The loss to the Minnesota Vikings doesn't leave a stain on the Houston Texans' promising start of the season. Sure, there's nothing pleasant about dropping a game, but expecting a team to go undefeated is unrealistic. Moreover, Houston lost to what appears to be a contender team.

Sam Darnold, a first-round pick in the 2018 draft, is enjoying a career revival in Minneapolis and it looks like he's catching the Texans and the NFL as a whole by surprise.

Circling back to Houston, they're the top team in the AFC South. With the Colts or the Jags not being legitimate threats, it looks like it will stay that way the remainder of the season.

More Jaguars analysis here: