Big Cat Country
With a 7-4 record — and just one game behind the Colts in division standings — the Jacksonville Jaguars have over a 70% chance to make the playoffs, according to projection models by ESPN and The Athletic. But how good are they really?
As Week 13 approaches, we rounded up the latest NFL power rankings to get a sense of how the Jaguars are viewed nationally.
Trevor Lawrence keeps making mistakes, but the Jaguars keep winning.
As we approach the winter holidays, I want to speak directly to the Jaguars fans out there: choose happiness, not this. Since Jacksonville upset the Chiefs in early October (in what might be the most consequential game of the year), we’ve been waiting for quarterback Trevor Lawrence to turn the corner. Even in wins, the results of the passing game are inconclusive at best and disappointing at worst.
Winning was supposed to improve my optimism about this team, but instead it’s done absolutely nothing for me.
Somehow this team is 7-4 with a soft schedule down the stretch. They will likely be a playoff team, but Trevor Lawrence has to be better.
Just a game out of first place in the AFC South, the Jags have four of their final six games against the Colts and Titans.
An ugly, three-interception performance by QB Trevor Lawrence made the Jags’ overtime win over the Cardinals much tougher than it ever should have been.
From Josh Kendall and Chad Graff:
One big question: Is Trevor Lawrence still the guy?
The Jags look a lot better in a lot of areas with Liam Coen — just not at quarterback. Lawrence ranks 30th in the league in completion percentage, 25th in yards per attempt and 29th in EPA per dropback.
The Jaguars have won three of their last four contests, and they’re now nipping at the Indianapolis Colts’ AFC South-leading heels. It’s how Jacksonville won those contests that’s so fascinating.
At the start of this stretch, the Jaguars needed a tipped two-point conversion pass attempt to defeat the Las Vegas Raiders. Jacksonville then experienced a fourth-quarter meltdown against the Houston Texans for its last loss. The Jags responded by blowing out the Los Angeles Chargers, then sneaking past the Arizona Cardinals in overtime.
The final score is all that matters, and Jacksonville is finding a way. Is this approach sustainable? Probably not. But the Jaguars have created an opportunity to snatch the AFC South from the Colts’ clutches if they continue to find a way.
The Trevor Lawrence experience...
