The Jacksonville Jaguars entered the 2023 season highly regarded and considered to be a top contender in the AFC. Back-to-back losses, including the embarrassing 37-17 drubbing from the Houston Texans on Sunday, have experts second guessing their earlier opinions of the Jaguars.
Last week, most power rankings still had Jacksonville in the top 10 after a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. That’s no longer the case after the Jaguars dropped to 1-2.
Buy Jaguars TicketsMost outlets have the Jaguars in the bottom half of their rankings with September coming to a close.
With three weeks in the books and the Jaguars sitting below .500, here’s where experts think the team currently ranks:
USA Today: 18th
Last week: 10th
If you stink in America – looking at you, Calvin Ridley – may as well take a two-week European vacation to try and sort things out.
No. 1 team: San Francisco 49ers
ESPN: 19th
Last week: 9th
Biggest issue on offense: Third-down production
It’s hard to pick one area because so much has gone wrong offensively the last two weeks, but the Jaguars are 29th in the NFL in third-down conversion rate. They’re at 29.7%, which is actually an improvement from where it was after two weeks because they went 5-for-13 against the Texans on Sunday. This was a strength last season (42%, ranked ninth) and nine of 11 starters are back, plus they added WR Calvin Ridley.
No. 1 team: San Francisco 49ers
NFL.com: 13th
Last week: 9th
Things went off the rails a bit in Sunday’s 20-point home loss to the Texans. It would be foolish to overlook the biggest issues that have plagued the team to this point: third-down offense and pass defense. Third downs have been miserable for Jacksonville, which is converting just 29.7 percent of its attempts through three games. The Jaguars were only five-for-13 against Houston, with three of those conversions coming when they were down three scores, but that mark actually raised their third-down average. With all the weapons they have, that sort of performance is inexcusable. And on defense, Jacksonville can’t seem to stop people unless the pass rush is heated up. That’s understandable, given the fact that the unit is built around Josh Allen and Travon Walker, but the Jags’ ability to apply pressure has cooled dramatically the past two games.
No. 1 team: Miami Dolphins
The Athletic: 18th
Last week: 15th
Is Urban Meyer coaching the Jaguars again? Trevor Lawrence was a legitimate MVP candidate entering the season, but he is 26th in EPA per dropback (minus-.20) and 24th in off-target percentage (12.4 percent). Lawrence has three touchdowns and two interceptions, and Jacksonville is 24th in the NFL in points per drive (1.54).
No. 1 team: Miami Dolphins
Pro Football Talk: 18th
Last week: 8th
This isn’t the kind of start that will get taxpayers willing to fork over a billion dollar for stadium renovations.
No. 1 team: San Francisco 49ers
CBS Sports: 20th
Last week: 10th
What was that against the Texans? Or were they simply overrated by many — including me? They sure don’t look like a playoff team.
No. 1 team: San Francisco 49ers
Yahoo Sports: 21st
Last week: 11th
The air is completely out of the Jaguars’ balloon. There was a lot of hype for them this offseason, but a bad loss Sunday at home to Houston exposed them as a team with a lot of work to do. It’s early and the Jaguars could still have a fantastic season, but they’re not going to be as good as some (myself included) had been projecting.
No. 1 team: San Francisco 49ers
Touchdown Wire: 9th
Last week: 8th
Alright, it’s time to wake up, Duval. Trevor Lawrence made throws Sunday, but his receivers failed him. As did the Jaguars’ defense and special teams. They play the Falcons in Week 4- they better win, and do so convincingly.
No. 1 team: San Francisco 49ers
Jaguars Wire: 19th
It’s still way too early for anyone to make sweeping statements about the 2023 Jaguars based on three games. There’s a ton of season left and so, so many of the team’s issues are fixable. More than anything this is a team that’s shooting itself in the foot.
Still, it’s just not possible to call the Jaguars an above average team through the first three weeks.
No. 1 team: San Francisco 49ers
