The Jacksonville Jaguars got their most impressive win of 2023 so far when they traveled to a surprisingly hostile environment at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and left with a 25-20 victory against the Buffalo Bills.
While the Jaguars offense blew a few opportunities to blow the score wide open, it still racked up 474 total yards. The Jacksonville defense was even more impressive, holding the Bills to just seven points through the first 55 minutes of the game before allowing a couple desperation drives late.
Buy Jaguars TicketsIt wasn’t a perfect performance, but it provided a glimmer of hope that the Jaguars are starting to resemble the playoff contender that many expected to see in 2023.
Was it enough to say the Jaguars are once again a top 10 team in the NFL? Experts who released their power rankings Monday and Tuesday unanimously said yes:
USA Today: 7th
Last week: 14th
The first team to play multiple international games in a season is now the first to win multiple – both coming against teams with winning records. Stay in Europe, Jags – it seems inevitable, and you’re apparently better for it.
No. 1 team: San Francisco 49ers
ESPN: 10th
Last week: 13th
Fantasy surprise: QB Trevor Lawrence
Lawrence hasn’t played badly, but he hasn’t gotten off to the hot start as expected, with only five touchdown passes despite the addition of WR Calvin Ridley to Jacksonville’s corps. Lawrence had his best game last Sunday against the Bills, throwing for 315 yards and a touchdown, but ranks behind C.J. Stroud, Jordan Love, Sam Howell and Joshua Dobbs in fantasy points among QBs.
No. 1 team: San Francisco 49ers
NFL.com: 7th
Last week: 12th
Even with Week 4’s solid, convincing victory over Atlanta, I think Sunday was the first time I could say the offense was really humming. This had been a bit of an underperforming unit, frankly, prior to ringing up 474 yards and 29 first downs against Buffalo, even with Trevor Lawrence’s three fumbles (two lost). And I’m not ignoring the fact that he and his team have fumbled at too high a rate, and the sacks keep racking up. But getting that big-play potency back was pretty key, and it was fueled by Calvin Ridley and Travis Etienne — just as it was meant to be. The defense has been mostly stout, but the offense had to find a little mojo.
No. 1 team: San Francisco 49ers
The Athletic: 10th
Last week: 16th
Wide receiver Calvin Ridley (22 catches, 333 yards) has helped after being acquired in a trade with the Falcons, but the draft class hasn’t provided much. Jacksonville drafted 13 players in the offseason. First-rounder Anton Harrison is starting at right tackle, but second-round tight end Brenton Strange (two catches, 7 yards) and third-round running back Tank Bigsby (41 yards on 15 carries) haven’t blossomed yet.
No. 1 team: San Francisco 49ers
Pro Football Talk: 7th
Last week: 13th
0-2 in Jacksonville. 2-0 in London. Just saying.
No. 1 team: San Francisco 49ers
CBS Sports: 9th
Last week: 13th
Their London trip ended up with them going 2-0, which included that impressive victory over the Bills on Sunday. Now they have fix their turnover issues at times.
No. 1 team: San Francisco 49ers
Yahoo Sports: 10th
Last week: 12th
If we eliminate the Texans loss from our minds, the Jaguars are in a good spot. They’re one game behind the best teams in the AFC standings. The rest of the AFC South is probably bad, especially with Anthony Richardson’s injury. The Jaguars still could end up running away with the division and being in the mix for the No. 1 seed.
No. 1 team: San Francisco 49ers
Touchdown Wire: 7th
Last week: 9th
The Jaguars leave London with two wins, and Calvin Ridley is starting to hit his stride in the offense. They should be able to start racking up wins with the Colts, Saints, and Steelers as the next three teams on their schedule.
No. 1 team: San Francisco 49ers
Jaguars Wire: 8th
Last week: 14th
The Jaguars looked like a team starting to put the pieces back in place. The offense was much more vertical than it was in previous weeks and it’s impossible not to be impressed with a defense that was supposed to be the weak link.
No. 1 team: San Francisco 49ers
