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2018 NFL Power Rankings, Week 17: Saints clinch NFC’s top seed

By Russell S. Baxter

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 23: Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 23, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 23: Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 23, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 23: Telvin Smith #50 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates after intercepting a pass for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 23: Telvin Smith #50 of the Jacksonville Jaguars celebrates after intercepting a pass for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Jacksonville Jaguars. 28. team. 52. . 5-10. Previous:

Recap: The very-disappointing Jaguars make the short trip to Miami to renew acquaintances with the Dolphins for the first time since 2015. Doug Marrone’s team would wind up using two quarterbacks (Cody Kessler and Blake Bortles) and even wide receiver Dede Westbrook attempted a pass. Jacksonville’s offensive front paved the way for 126 yards on the ground but allowed Kessler (5) and Bortles (1) to be sacked six times. As bad as the Jaguars’ offense looked (244 total yards), the Dolphins struggled even more. Jacksonville’s defense limited Miami to 183 total yards and linebacker Telvin Smith ran back a Ryan Tannehill interception for a score to cement the road win.

Next Week: Marrone’s team concludes a disappointing season as they head to Houston. It’s a reversal of fortune for the two franchises from a year ago, when the Jaguars captured the AFC South and the Texans finished in last place. Back in Week 7 at Jacksonville, the defending division champions were defeated by a 20-7 score.

Draft Talk: This is no doubt a team with plenty of talent, especially when it comes to the defensive side of the ball. But the Jaguars could use nearly a total overhaul on offense, with a few exceptions. And until the team learns to consistently stop the run, the team’s defense will remain good but not a true difference maker.

Next: No. 27

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