The Jacksonville Jaguars won a fourth straight game last week, shaking off a knee injury for Trevor Lawrence and the absence of Tyson Campbell to get a 31-24 road victory over the New Orleans Saints.
It wasn’t the most effortless win for the Jaguars. The offense did its all-too-familiar disappearing act after a strong start and a tired defense gave up 15 points in the fourth quarter, allowing the game to be tied late. But Jacksonville overcame the adversity and got a big touchdown followed by a red zone stop to get the franchise’s first ever Superdome win.
While the Jaguars have yet to lose in the month of October, other top contenders haven’t been as fortunate. The San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, and Miami Dolphins were all on the losing end of their Week 7 matchups.
That cleared the way for Jacksonville to continue its ascent up power rankings. Here’s where experts think the Jaguars stack up with Week 8 on the way:
USA Today: 5th
Last week: 7th
They won four games over a 19-day period. If they can notch their fourth win away from Jacksonville in the past five weeks, the Jags will be 6-2 for just the second time in their 29-season history.
No. 1 team: Kansas City Chiefs
ESPN: 6th
Last week: 10th
Young riser: S Andre Cisco
The 23-year-old player looks like he’s becoming the playmaker he was at Syracuse, where he intercepted 13 passes in 24 games. Cisco has three interceptions (tying his 2022 season total) and a forced fumble to go along with four pass breakups and 34 tackles. He played mainly special teams as a rookie, then took over as a starter last season. He’s more comfortable now and is definitely a part of the Jaguars’ long-term plans.
No. 1 team: Kansas City Chiefs
The Athletic: 8th
Last week: 8th
Is Trevor Lawrence elite?
The Jaguars’ third-year quarterback has been good. He’s 11th in the league in passer rating (92.8), and he was a just-fine 20-for-29 for 204 yards and one touchdown (and led Jacksonville in rushing with 59 yards) in beating the Saints this week, but Lawrence was drafted No. 1 in 2021 because he was supposed to be great. Granted, he’s the only thing saving a 2021 quarterback class that also included Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields and Mac Jones in the first 15 picks, but he still misses throws and makes reckless decisions. If Lawrence can be one of the true dudes in the league, it changes Jacksonville’s outlook this year and into the future.
No. 1 team: Kansas City Chiefs
Pro Football Talk: 3rd
Last week: 6th
Right now, the best team in Florida plays in Duval County. (Except when they play in London.)
No. 1 team: Kansas City Chiefs
CBS Sports: 4th
Last week: 7th
They’ve won four straight and still haven’t looked great in doing so. The offense still isn’t clicking all the way, but the signs are there that it’s coming.
No. 1 team: Kansas City Chiefs
Yahoo Sports: 8th
Last week: 10th
The only good thing from the Urban Meyer era might be that the Jaguars drafted Travis Etienne. Meyer wanted Kadarius Toney, of course, but Jacksonville got Etienne and he’s having a monster season. He has 700 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns in seven games, and is the most consistent performer in that Jaguars’ offense.
No. 1 team: Kansas City Chiefs
Touchdown Wire: 3rd
Last week: 6th
The Khan Cats are sitting at 5-2 and winners of their last four. Trevor Lawrence hears all of us talking and is starting to clap back, while his defense currently sits at seventh in the league in EPA/play. Should they go into Pittsburgh and get to 6-2, watch out for the Jags as a potential sneaky team to be the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
No. 1 team: Kansas City Chiefs
Jaguars Wire: 5th
Last week: 6th
The Jaguars still haven’t really put it all together, but has any team? The offense is starting to find its rhythm and the defense (which is slowly getting healthier) has been excellent. Winning all four games in a brutal gauntlet of travel and short weeks says a lot.
No. 1 team: Kansas City Chiefs
