Power Rankings: Big O pushes Jags near top

Updated Dec. 18

The Jacksonville Jaguars, according to many, are the team that nobody wants to play, a group built in the mold of its coach: A tough, hard-nosed group that plays with a swagger.

With New England seemingly having the Lombardi Trophy already in hand -- isn't that what most think? -- everybody is looking for possible pitfalls for the Patriots, some team that can knock them down.

Jack Del Rio is getting the most out of Fred Taylor and the rest of the Jaguars. (AP)

Lately, the Jaguars are receiving much of that attention. The reasons some think they can match them are obvious. They are big and physical. And they can run the ball. Plus, they have a quarterback in David Garrard who is not only taking care of the ball but also making plays down the field.

Are the 10-4 Jaguars turning the Big Four elite into the Big Five?

Before the season started, Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio made a major decision to dump starting quarterback Byron Leftwich and go with Garrard. It was a decision I thought was irrational and personally motivated since Del Rio and Leftwich didn't like each other.

Del Rio has proved to be right in a big way. His decision is a big reason why the Jaguars are No. 5 in the CBSSports.com Power Rankings and considered a dangerous playoff opponent.

Jacksonville has been known as a defensive team in Del Rio's tenure, a tough, physical group that made opponents feel their pain for weeks after playing them. But this year's team has evolved. It is more offense than defense.

The Jaguars have scored 24 or more points in a team-record eight consecutive games. That's something the Mark Brunell-Jimmy Smith-Keenan McCardell Jaguars never did.

The Jaguars have had four consecutive games of 400-plus total yards, a first in team history. They also have six games this season with 400 or more yards, also a team record.

In addition to Garrard's development, there are two other reasons for the improvement on offense.

One is that running back Fred Taylor is playing his best football since 1999. Taylor is sixth in the league in rushing, but the most impressive thing is his 5.1 yards per carry. Teaming with Maurice Jones-Drew, the Jaguars have as good a 1-2 punch as anybody in the league.

Maybe the biggest reason for the Jaguars' offensive success is coordinator Dirk Koetter. The man can scheme up some plays. After a slow start, Koetter has the offense cooking.

Poll Which probable AFC playoff team is most likely to be able to beat the Patriots?   37%  Colts     8%  Browns     22%  Jaguars     11%  Chargers     5%  Steelers     18%  You're kidding right     Total Votes: 57815

Koetter is in his first season in the NFL after being fired from Arizona State. There were some who questioned if he could make the adjustment right away to the next level. Del Rio never did, giving him total control of the offense. Early on, the Jaguars seemed too predictable, but as the season has moved on Koetter's system is showing more and more and he appears to be an adept play-caller.

Timing is everything for a play-caller, and Koetter seems to have that "it" factor.

The Jaguars put up 29 against the Steelers on Sunday and did so mainly because of the running game. But despite the weather, Koetter still took shots down the field in the passing game and Garrard threw three touchdown passes.

To beat the Patriots, no matter what the weather, it will take points. The Jaguars are showing they can score.

First, they will have to win at Cleveland, San Diego or Pittsburgh again. They handled the Chargers at home earlier this season and now have a Steelers victory on the road on their record as well.

The one concern heading to the playoffs will be their pass rush. But even that showed signs of life against the Steelers with the front getting five sacks. If that area can continue on an upward swing, maybe they truly are the team that nobody wants to play as they try to make the Big Four the Big Five.

The Power Rankings through Week 15:

Power Rankings
Current		Team	Previous
	1	Colts · Trends	1
	They make it interesting, but they still find a way. The amazing thing is that they are winning yet not healthy. That's what a good quarterback does for a team.
	2	Saints · Trends	2
	Can anybody stop that offense? If they get to play their playoff games inside the Superdome, it's hard not imagining them in the Super Bowl.
	3	Vikings · Trends	3
	If the playoffs go through their dome, they will be tough to beat. They seem to be getting better -- if that's possible.
	4	Cowboys · Trends	5
	The offense woke up against the Raiders, which is a good sign moving forward. But it will be December the next time they play and we know how they fade in that month.
	5	Bengals · Trends	6
	It wasn't pretty against the Browns, but they went to 8-3. The one concern I have is they aren't passing it that well right now. That has to get better down the stretch.
	6	Chargers · Trends	7
	Momentum seems to be building for this team. As the defense improves, so will their Super chances. We know they can score.
	7	Patriots · Trends	4
	They got ambushed in New Orleans. That defense has not played well when facing good passing teams. Where's the pass rush?
	8	Eagles · Trends	9
	They struggled some against the Redskins and now must go on the road at Atlanta. That won't be easy.
	9	Broncos · Trends	12
	That was a season-saving victory against the Giants. But be careful this week against the Chiefs. They've owned the Broncos in December at Arrowhead.
	10	Packers · Trends	14
	They are starting to have a playoff look about them. The key will be how that offensive line holds up.
	11	Cardinals · Trends	8
	The division race tightened up with that loss to the Titans, and now they have a huge game with the Vikings. They have to be careful of San Francisco creeping back into it.
	12	Steelers · Trends	10
	The questioning of Ben Roethlisberger sitting out by teammates is not a good sign. They shouldn't do that. It could cause problems.
	13	Giants · Trends	11
	This is a team in big trouble. If Eli Manning can't play at close to 100 percent the rest of the way, they can forget the playoffs. Even with them, they could miss out.
	14	Falcons · Trends	15
	Matt Ryan won't play this week, which means Chris Redman will have their playoff hopes on his right arm against the Eagles. Can he play as well as he did last week, now that they know he's coming?
	15	Ravens · Trends	17
	They had a huge victory last week over the Steelers, but now have to go to Green Bay to face the Packers. That will be tough.
	16	Jaguars · Trends	13
	As long as they don't go to the West Coast again, they will be fine. They scored three points in two games there. Ouch.
	17	Titans · Trends	19
	Watch out. They're coming fast. If they can beat the Colts this week, the schedule the rest of the way is favorable.
	18	Dolphins · Trends	16
	Did they blow their playoff chances at Buffalo? If they did, that halfback pass on their opening drive of the game could be the reason why.
	19	Texans · Trends	18
	When they learn to beat the Colts, then we'll take their playoff chances seriously. If they lose at Jacksonville this week, it could be the end of the Gary Kubiak era.
	20	Jets · Trends	20
	They're still alive, but barely. They still don't look close to being the team that jumped to a 3-0 start.
	21	49ers · Trends	23
	Alex Smith has five games to show he is their guy for the future. He looked comfortable against the Jaguars.
	22	Bills · Trends	24
	The team is playing better under Perry Fewell. But he probably has no chance to keep the job.
	23	Seahawks · Trends	25
	It's too bad they don't play the Rams every week. If they did, they might make the playoffs. Justin Forsett looks like the real deal.
	24	Panthers · Trends	21
	It's time to make a change at quarterback. Find out what Matt Moore can do. What do they have to lose?
	25	Bears · Trends	22
	Paging Bill Cowher. Paging Bill Cowher. Is there any doubt they will make a coaching change now?
	26	Chiefs · Trends	26
	That San Diego game was a reminder of how far this team needs to go. They are a long way away from competing.
	27	Redskins · Trends	27
	They're still playing hard, but it doesn't matter. Jim Zorn is still gone after the season.
	28	Raiders · Trends	28
	At some point they have to get a quarterback. There is talent going to waste on this roster.
	29	Lions · Trends	29
	They have some offensive talent. Now they have to fix that defense. Teams do what they want. Green Bay wasn't even challenged.
	30	Rams · Trends	30
	Will they win again? It doesn't look good. Now comes the big decision: Which quarterback do they take in next spring's draft?
	31	Buccaneers · Trends	31
	Who will Raheem Morris fire this week? Is it another loss, another firing? It's time the blame goes to the man at the top.
	32	Browns · Trends	32
	It has to be hard to watch this team, especially for Browns fans. The question now is whether Eric Mangini makes it for a second season.