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 won four games in November by a total of 10 points. They're not dominating, but they are winning.
	2	Saints · Trends	2
	They get a major test next week when the Patriots come to town for a Monday night game. Is that the end of the unbeaten season?
	3	Vikings · Trends	3
	Brett Favre might be having his best season. Who said he would flop? Oh, me.
	4	Patriots · Trends	5
	They bounced back nicely against the Jets and have a two-game lead in the division, but the Saints will be a great barometer for where they are now.
	5	Cowboys · Trends	7
	They beat the Redskins, but they still looked off. They'll get it going Thursday against the Raiders.
	6	Bengals · Trends	4
	What was that in Oakland? That reminds us a little of why they're still the Bengals. They had no business losing that game.
	7	Chargers · Trends	9
	They are rolling again after a slow start. What else is new for this team? They are the class of the AFC West, just like we thought they'd be.
	8	Cardinals · Trends	10
	They played a decent road game against the Rams, even if they made it interesting in the end. The running game is getting cranked up, which is great for the playoff run.
	9	Eagles · Trends	11
	They snapped a two-game losing streak against the Bears to keep their playoff chances solid. This is the time when the Eagles usually get it going.
	10	Steelers · Trends	6
	They just haven't looked that good this season. Something is off. It might be wise to work on that kickoff coverage.
	11	Giants · Trends	12
	Eli Manning's big game saved their season against Atlanta. Now they face a tough road game at Denver on a short week.
	12	Broncos · Trends	8
	Was their start a fraud? It sure looks like it. They aren't playing well on either side of the ball, but especially on offense.
	13	Jaguars · Trends	16
	If the playoffs started today, they'd be in. Wow. They aren't winning pretty, but they're finding a way.
	14	Packers · Trends	17
	Losing Al Harris and Aaron Kampman for the season will impact that defense in a big way. It's good that the offense is playing better now to help offset it.
	15	Falcons · Trends	14
	They have three consecutive homes games to turn their season back around. The defense just gives up too many big plays.
	16	Dolphins · Trends	21
	Chad Henne is growing up. As he does, they will be better. The playoffs are still possible. But don't lose at Buffalo.
	17	Ravens · Trends	15
	They've been a disappointment so far. If they lose to the Steelers this week, they can say goodbye to the playoffs.
	18	Texans · Trends	13
	That loss at home to the Titans is a big hit to their playoff chances. They just never got it going on offense. Kris Brown choked two weeks in a row. Now the Colts come to town.
	19	Titans · Trends	22
	They are somehow still alive at 4-6. Winning four consecutive games after opening 0-6 is impressive. Vince Young is doing a nice job.
	20	Jets · Trends	18
	Mark Sanchez is playing like a rookie. But it doesn't mean he should sit down. He needs to grow and playing is the right way.
	21	Panthers · Trends	19
	They will likely have a new coach next season and that could mean the end for Jake Delhomme. He just isn't good enough.
	22	Bears · Trends	20
	Is Lovie Smith in trouble? He might be. Cutler sure hasn't lived up to the expectations. He needs help.
	23	49ers · Trends	23
	They can forget the playoffs now. The rest of the season is about finding out if Alex Smith is the long-term answer at quarterback.
	24	Bills · Trends	25
	Perry Fewell's first game showed a team that will still fight. And there was a Terrell Owens sighting. Amazing.
	25	Seahawks · Trends	24
	Count this team as one of the biggest flops of the season. But injuries have played a big part. Is Mike Holmgren coming to the rescue?
	26	Chiefs · Trends	26
	They're on a two-game winning streak. Beating the Steelers is a big step for this young team. The Chiefs are improving.
	27	Redskins · Trends	27
	The best thing to come out of the Cowboys loss is that Jason Campbell played better. They're still fighting.
	28	Raiders · Trends	28
	Say hello to the bench, JaMarcus Russell. Bruce Gradkowski is the guy the rest of the way.
	29	Lions · Trends	31
	Matt Stafford showed against the Browns that he was the right pick last April. They have their building block.
	30	Rams · Trends	29
	Do you feel sorry a little for Steven Jackson playing on this team? He's having a huge season. And now Marc Bulger is out? Ouch.
	31	Buccaneers · Trends	30
	Josh Freeman played like a rookie against the Saints, but he will have those days. It's hard to believe that's a Bucs defense we've been watching. It tells us why Jim Bates was fired.
	32	Browns · Trends	32
	The good news is Brady Quinn is looking better. The bad news is the defense regressed. They have a long way to go to being able to compete for a playoff spot.