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: