Fansided

NFL: Five teams prepped for a late season surge

By Luke Dahlgren

Nov 15, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) drops back to pass against the New England Patriots in the first half during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) drops back to pass against the New England Patriots in the first half during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Sep 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Telvin Smith (50) and defensive end Chris Smith (98) and defensive tackle Jared Odrick (75) during the game at EverBank Field. The Panthers defeat the Jaguars 20-9. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Telvin Smith (50) and defensive end Chris Smith (98) and defensive tackle Jared Odrick (75) during the game at EverBank Field. The Panthers defeat the Jaguars 20-9. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6)

Without paying attention, it’s easy to assume that the Jaguars are a bad team. 14 wins in four seasons may do the trick.

The Jaguars rebuilding efforts haven’t necessarily been brilliant – with the exceptions of second-year quarterback Blake Bortles and offensive tackle Eugene Monroe, the Jaguars first round draft choices have been a parade of horrors* since the last time the team made the playoffs in 2007 – but patience from ownership and the front office has done wonders for the team.

After a dreadful rookie season, Bortles is starting to find his fit within the Jaguars offense and has developed a rapport with Allens Robinson and Hurns at wide receiver. Head coach Gus Bradley has revitalized the defense, finding valuable defensive playmakers in linebacker Telvin Smith, safety Johnathan Cyprien and defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks (whose triceps tear unfortunately puts him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season), while integrating veterans Jared Odrick and Chris Clemons into his defense.

It took a few years for the Jaguars to build their core, and it will take the team a few more years to develop that core to postseason competitiveness, but the Jags are accomplishing their goals right on schedule.

The end of season schedule for the Jaguars is already favorable; the team plays the hapless Titans twice, and otherwise has games scheduled against the Chargers, Colts, Saints and Texans. Even the 6-3 Falcons have lost three of their past four, including losses to the Saints, Buccaneers and 49ers. Every single one of the Jaguars last seven games is winnable, and realistically the team could go 5-2 or 4-3 over their last stretch of games. An 8-8 record in Year Two of the Bortles-Bradley regime should act as a springboard for a 2016 playoff run.

In fact, 8-8 could easily be enough to win the AFC South. The Jaguars are only one game behind the Texans and Colts for the divisional lead; Chuck Pagano might not last the month as the Colts’ coach, and the Texans just claimed Brandon Weeden off waivers, which speaks volumes about their quarterback situation. The Jaguars aren’t likely to make any impact in the playoffs – none of the AFC South teams will – but a fourth seed in the AFC is actually in reach.

*Dante Fowler, Jr is excluded here simply because he hasn’t had an opportunity to play a down for the Jags following his training camp knee injury 

Next: Washington Redskins

Home/Jacksonville Jaguars