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NFL playoffs: How your team can make it

By Matt Verderame

Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 30, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Denard Robinson (16) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the New York Giants at EverBank Field. The Jaguars won 25-24. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Denard Robinson (16) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the New York Giants at EverBank Field. The Jaguars won 25-24. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

52. . AFC. South. Jacksonville Jaguars. 3. player

The Jacksonville Jaguars have not made the playoffs since the days of David Garrard, Maurice Jones-Drew and Jack Del Rio. It’s been a rough couple of seasons under head coach Gus Bradley, with the team going a combined 7-25 over the past two campaigns. Yet, the talent is starting to show itself on Jacksonville, perhaps making the Jaguars more of a contender than originally thought.

Bradley was the mastermind of the Seattle Seahawks defense when he was there before joining Jacksonville in 2013. After acquiring linebacker Dan Skuta and defensive end Jared Odrick, and watching Sen’Derrick Marks blossom into a terrific player, the Jaguars have to feel the front seven can hang with most offenses in the NFL. Along with Chris Clemons and Paul Posluszny, Jacksonville is legitimate in that regard.

Offensively, the cast is starting to come together. General manager David Caldwell was aggressive, adding tight end Julius Thomas on a five-year deal. If Thomas can produce another double-digit touchdown season as he did in 2013 and 2014, the Jaguars will have solved their red zone issues. Additionally, Denard Robinson had the appearance of a nice running back, averaging 4.3 yards per carry on 582 rushing yards last year.

The lynchpin of every Jacksonville hope falls on second-year quarterback Blake Bortles. The third-overall pick in 2014, Bortles struggled his rookie year but showed flashes of potential. If Bortles can develop alongside potent weapons such as Marqise Lee, Allen Robinson, Denard Robinson and Thomas, the Jaguars could be a team that shocks the masses.

Next: Tennessee Titans

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