The Jacksonville Jaguars entered Week 5 as a 3-1 team that wasn’t getting much respect. However, they had a golden opportunity to change that narrative, facing the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football. With everyone watching, expecting the Chiefs to win, Jacksonville could capture the football world’s attention and get its recognition.
The Jaguars did just that, winning the game 31-28. Now, the team is 4-1, tied for the best record in the NFL. However, Jacksonville still isn’t getting the respect it deserves. This was evident in ESPN’s recent power rankings, where the Jaguars were ranked No. 12. While up two spots from its ranking a week ago, Jacksonville was notably two spots behind the 2-3 Chiefs team it just beat.
“We definitely did. We took our respect.”
1-on-1 with Travis Hunter on Trevor Lawrence stumble TD, His 1st big deep ball & defining new era Jaguars after win over Chiefs @nflnetwork @NFLGameDay: pic.twitter.com/3dhaX26h5B
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 7, 2025
Related:The decisive win vs. the Chiefs only raised the bar for Trevor Lawrence
Jaguars are still outside the top 10 in latest ESPN power rankings
In a postgame interview with Travis Hunter, NFL Network reporter Cameron Wolfe talked about how the Jaguars emphasized taking their respect this week. The rookie said he felt like the team took their respect on Monday Night, but he knows the team has to keep going and can be even better. The media is seemingly echoing that message.
Jacksonville being outside of the top 10 is ridiculous, especially since it is a bad call away from being the league’s only undefeated team. Additionally, the Jaguars still being below the Chiefs is also wild. It’s not like Kansas City was playing lights out coming into the game and got caught slipping by a bad team; the Chiefs lost to a team that entered the game with a better record than them.
The Jaguars were the better squad entering the game, and they were the better team the night they shared the field. The masses may not be comfortable admitting that yet, but it’s on Jacksonville to keep winning, regardless of whether it gets the credit or not.
Ultimately, all doubters can do is continue to question the Jaguars' success to start the 2025 season. That will only serve as fuel to propel them into the playoffs. By the time observers catch up, it will be too late. Jacksonville will have already become one of the hottest teams in the NFL.