I've said it before, and I'll say it again here: Fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars should be happy with the state of their team right now, despite what the NFL Power Rankings around the league are showing. Okay, okay...Maybe that's a hot take considering they just gave up a 19-point fourth quarter lead—the biggest comeback allowed in franchise history—but let's take a moment and look back.
The Jags rallied late to beat the Kansas City Chiefs, played well enough to take down a powerful San Francisco 49ers team, and currently sit at 5-4, technically in the seventh Wild Card slot if the season ended today.
At the halfway point of the season, they've already won more games than all of last year, and they seem to have found their man in new head coach Liam Coen, who consistently says the right thing and still has the faith of the locker room after a devastating loss. Yes, some of the losses have been ugly, and yes, the team hasn't shown the consistency fans want to see. But remember: This team was 4-13 last year. If I'd have told you they'd be 5-4 with multiple wins over playoff-bound, perennially good teams, most fans would have been happy with that.
Happy or not, the season's not over. Here's a look ahead at the Jaguars' next three games.
Week 11: Jaguars vs. the Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)
This is the hardest game by a long shot in the coming weeks. While Jacksonville's ability to generate pressure has consistently failed to result in sacks, they may finally have a chance to get home against a Chargers offensive line that has seen their quarterback eat grass 34 times this year, third worst in the league. Despite their defensive woes, the Jaguars remain fifth-best in run defense (91.7 yards per game allowed), which means Justin Herbert will likely be dropping back a ton.
On the other side of the ball, the Chargers' defense is fifth-best in passing yards allowed with only 174.2 per game. With the Jaguars' receiving woes and Lawrence's inability to lift those around him, expect a heavy dose of Travis Etienne Jr., who may very well be Jacksonville's best offensive weapon.
Will this lead to a victory? As much as I want it to, I just don't see it. Herbert has carried his team through 10 games, throwing for 2,610 yards, 19 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions—all despite playing behind one of the worst offensive lines. In the end, I think this will come down to Jacksonville's ability to take the ball away and Lawrence's ability to capitalize. I only have faith in one of those, so I'm giving this one to the Bolts.
The Jaguars fall to 5-5 with a 31-27 loss in Duval.
Week 12: Jaguars vs. the Arizona Cardinals (3-6)
On paper, this is a much easier contest than Week 11. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is out, though the offense seemed to click better with Jacoby Brisset under center anyway. Still, there are no gimme games in the NFL, and Jacksonville will need to show they can win the games they should win—something they haven't done well this year.
Arizona is middle-of-the-pack defensively, allowing 225.3 passing yards, 114.1 rushing yards per game, and 23.9 points per game. They're also +3 in turnover differential, which isn't bad but also isn't outstanding, either. Like Jacksonville, they've struggled to get to the quarterback, notching only 18 sacks all year.
On the other side of the ball, the Cardinals' offense has also allowed 34 sacks (third-worst, just like Los Angeles), meaning the hungry Jacksonville defense will have another opportunity to finally get home. Similar to their defense, the Cardinals' offense has middling numbers across the board. I see this one falling in Jacksonville's favor with a heavy dose of Etienne and rookie Bhaysul Tuten wearing down the front seven and grinding out a 21-13 victory.
Jaguars move to 6-5.
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Week 13: Jaguars vs. the Tennessee Titans (1-8)
Jaguars fans may disagree over a lot—is Lawrence the guy, can Brian Thomas Jr. recover, was drafting wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter worth it—but we can all agree on one thing: We hate the Titans.
I said there were no gimme games in the NFL, and I meant it. Sure, the Titans are worst in the league in yards per game (244) and points (14.4), but Jags fans have been burned before. As I said to start this thing: The Jaguars have not proven they can win the games they should.
With that said, I'm still giving this one to the Jags. Titans quarterback Cam Ward has been sacked 38 times—another league worst—which means defensive ends Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen will have their third chance in three games to get to the quarterback. I'm predicting a huge game on defense with multiple takeaways and sacks. Jags win, 35-0, and move to 7-5.
Okay, maybe 27-20, but man, I hate the Titans.
Final thoughts
After next week's game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Jaguars will finish up one of the toughest parts of their schedule. With the Cardinals and Titans following (we'll ignore the Indianapolis Colts right afterward...), they might just be sitting relatively pretty at 7-5, which feels like a decent record considering the injuries, roster turnover, leadership change, and subpar play from frontline players.
The Jaguars should enter the final stretch of the year in a good spot to make a late playoff push (where they'll probably still lose in the first round, but one obstacle at a time).