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 didn't look great against the 49ers, but they found a way. That's what good teams do. It has to be good having Bob Sanders back again.
	2	Saints · Trends	2
	It was a little bit of a struggle against the Falcons, but the schedule is favorable the rest of the way, to say the least. Is an undefeated season possible?
	3	Vikings · Trends	4
	They have a real hold on the division after sweeping the Packers. They really are a balanced team and Brett Favre is coming off a big game. There, I said it. Aside from the Steelers game, he is playing well.
	4	Broncos · Trends	3
	After their first loss, here come the champions. The Pittsburgh Steelers will provide another stiff test for the Broncos. They need to throw it better. Period.
	5	Patriots · Trends	5
	They come off the bye with a chance to take a real hold of the division by beating Miami. You know they'll be ready for the Wildcat.
	6	Bengals · Trends	6
	At 5-2 after their bye, they get a rematch with the Ravens this week. They can throw it better now than when they beat them the first time, which should help.
	7	Steelers · Trends	7
	They can show they are back with a road victory at Denver. The bye week gives them a little edge heading into that one, although Denver will be angry coming off its first loss.
	8	Eagles · Trends	8
	We get Eagles-Cowboys this week for first place in the NFC East. That should be fun. The Eagles are rolling after that Oakland disaster two weeks ago.
	9	Cowboys · Trends	11
	Is it time to stop ripping on Tony Romo? He's playing some of his best football. The defense, which was a problem much of the season, is playing better.
	10	Ravens · Trends	14
	They had to beat Denver to save their season, but now they get a big one against the Bengals on the road. To have a real chance to win the division, they need that one.
	11	Cardinals · Trends	9
	Can anybody figure this team out? They play well on the road and stink it up at home. Good thing they're on the road this week.
	12	Giants · Trends	10
	They are an example of how fast things can go bad in the NFL. If that defense doesn't play better soon, they could be playoff-less.
	13	Texans · Trends	16
	The improvement of the defense to go with that passing game has really helped this team. They do have a lot of premium talent on the defensive side of the ball.
	14	Chargers · Trends	17
	They seemed to right things the past two weeks, but now must head east to play a desperate Giants team. That won't be easy.
	15	Falcons · Trends	12
	They played well at New Orleans, especially in the second half, and the schedule gets easier now. They are a good 4-3 team.
	16	Packers · Trends	13
	Boy that offensive line is bad. If they don't improve there, Aaron Rodgers doesn't stand a chance.
	17	Bears · Trends	19
	Nothing like the Cleveland Browns to provide the perfect potion for all that ails a team. Facing Arizona at home this week won't be as easy.
	18	Dolphins · Trends	22
	That wasn't pretty against the Jets, but they found a way. Now they have to go to New England, with a chance to get back into the race. Playing two consecutive road games is tough.
	19	Jets · Trends	15
	There is no way they should have lost to the Dolphins at home, but at 4-4 they have been way too inconsistent. How about some special-teams work this week?
	20	Jaguars · Trends	18
	They will be a .500 team at best. The defense isn't very good, so they will play a lot of high-scoring games. The good news is they have a winnable game against Kansas City this week.
	21	Panthers · Trends	24
	Was that a job saver for coach John Fox and a season saver last week in Arizona? It was a big win, but those two things are still to be decided.
	22	49ers · Trends	20
	Playing close isn't good enough. They have to start winning those kinds of games. It's hard when they're limited on offense.
	23	Bills · Trends	21
	The run defense is really bad and they don't have the offense to make up for it. Did you ever think they would long to get Trent Edwards back so much?
	24	Seahawks · Trends	23
	They've been a major disappointment in a lot of people's minds. But the injuries have crippled this team. It's a tough first year for Jim Mora Jr.
	25	Raiders · Trends	25
	At least they showed up and competed against the Chargers. It's more than they did the previous week. Wonder how Tom Cable's troubles will affect the team?
	26	Chiefs · Trends	26
	They come off their bye with the Larry Johnson saga hanging over their heads. Something they need more of: Better play from Matt Cassel.
	27	Redskins · Trends	27
	Did they fix things during the bye? Is Jim Zorn safe now that he made it through the week off? Can they turn it around? Doubtful.
	28	Rams · Trends	31
	They won. They won. They won. After 17 consecutive losses, they should celebrate. Steven Jackson is having a good year for a bad team.
	29	Titans · Trends	32
	The move to Vince Young paid off. Yeah, as long as Chris Johnson runs for 228, it paid off. They did show more life coming off their bye in winning for the first time.
	30	Lions · Trends	28
	Losing to the Rams drops them down a few spots. They are competing, which is a good sign for this young team.
	31	Browns · Trends	29
	Does this team need a bye or what? Do they really have to play out the season with that offense?
	32	Buccaneers · Trends	30
	The Josh Freeman Era begins, and it's the right thing to do. They have to get him going for the future. Why wait?