2023 NFL Power Rankings: Jacksonville Jaguars

The expected improvement on offense in the second season in coach Doug Pederson's scheme has not materialized, and two of the biggest issues are the offensive line and third downs. The offensive line has played well in pass protection the past two games -- just one sack and four QB hits allowed -- but still rank 29th in the NFL in pass block win rate (47.9%), per NFL Next Gen Stats. The Jaguars rank 22nd in third-down conversion rate (36.8%) and have been especially bad on third-and-3 or less (51.2%, 29th). The defense has thrived on forcing turnovers (20) and LB Josh Allen is having the best year of his career (12 sacks). Kicker Brandon McManus, signed during OTAs after he was released by Denver, is 23-for-26 on field goal attempts and perfect on PATs (23-for-23). -- Michael DiRocco

Trevor Lawrence's production hasn't been mind-blowing, but his third NFL season is emerging as a very good one, following a bit of a slow start. In Sunday's win over the Texans, Lawrence nearly threw for a career high in yards. Even factoring in the humbling 49ers loss in Week 10, Lawrence has been at his best in recent games, with his confidence clearly rising when it comes to taking deeper kill shots. His massive second half against Houston helped the Jaguars hold off the Texans and maintain a strong edge in the AFC South, with six games left and only one more true powerhouse (Baltimore in Week 15) remaining on Jacksonville's schedule. There's bad news, too, with LT Cam Robinson out for at least the next four games. We know what happened when he missed the first four, as the offense never quite reached peak form. The Jags are almost certainly in the playoffs, but they can't afford to have the offense fall apart as we creep into December.

By beating the Texans, they have a firm lock on the division. Trevor Lawrence finally had the big game throwing it, which is a good sign going forward.

Renewed signs Calvin Ridley might be a No. 1 receiver (12 catches for 192 yards and 3 TDs over last two weeks) for a Jacksonville squad that's now decidedly No. 1 in the AFC South. But the next three weeks will show how good the Jags would be in the AFC North with a trio of dates against that rugged division.

Best case: Two playoff games

Jacksonville's stars are getting hot at the right time. Linebacker Josh Allen had 2 1/2 sacks Sunday and now is second in franchise history with 38 for his career. On the offensive side, Calvin Ridley has 192 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the last two weeks. Jacksonville has won seven of its last eight with the only loss coming to San Francisco.

I'm just not sure if we're talking enough about the season that Josh Allen (the Jags edge rusher, not the QB) is having. The guy has a career-best 12 sacks for a division leader and never gets mentioned among the league's top pass rushers. As well as Trevor Lawrence and Calvin Ridley played against Houston, Jacksonville needs Allen to continue leading the way on the other side.

The Jaguars are nearly a lock to take the division after a big win at the Texans. Last year, Trevor Lawrence was inconsistent early in the season and awesome in the second half. He hasn't been great this season but two weeks ago he had his best passer rating of 2023, and Sunday he had his highest passing output with 364 yards. That's a really good sign for Jacksonville.

That loss to the 49ers might have helped them more than a win ever could have.

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