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Power Rankings: Jaguars' season goes downhill fast

Updated Nov. 4

What is wrong with the Jacksonville Jaguars? What are the reasons that a team that started the season at No. 7 in the CBSSports.com Power Rankings is now at No. 23?

You want reasons. I have reasons.

Here goes:

 They can't run the ball.
 They can't throw deep passes.
 They can't stop the run.
 They can't pressure the quarterback.

That's how you turn a Super contender into a 3-5 team in nine weeks.

Presto, change-o, your team is stink-o.

The Jaguars came into 2008 as a trendy pick to be a Super Bowl contender, but instead they've had a major regress.

Most will point to the injuries on the offensive line as the reason the running game isn't working. Losing three guards for the season and playing most of the first half of the season without starting center Brad Meester will impact the run, but so will an inability to challenge defenses in the passing game.

They see more loaded-up boxes than a UPS delivery truck at Christmas time.

The Jaguars don't have a vertical passing threat, or haven't shown it, which is why they face a lot of 8- and 9-man fronts. Their longest pass completion is 35 yards.

A combo of Jim Brown and O.J. Simpson couldn't run against those fronts with those circumstances and a banged-up line.

Their passing game, which they thought would improve with the signing of receiver Jerry Porter and the maturation of David Garrard, hasn't taken the step forward. Garrard has trouble throwing the deep pass. He has been just OK this season -- and certainly isn't a top-10 quarterback. At least he plays hard, which can't be said about everyone on the roster.

On defense, the Jaguars can't get off the field on third down because they can't rush the passer.

In eight games, they have 11 sacks, which is pitiful since they used a first-round pick (Derrick Harvey) and a third-round pick (Quentin Groves) to help liven up that unit in April. Those two have two sacks between them, and Harvey's sack was given to him, though it was actually Mike Peterson who had the sack.

Poll
What is the Jaguars' biggest problem?
  17% Pass rush
 
 
  16% Run defense
 
 
  29% Deep passing
 
 
  38% Running game
 
 
 
Total Votes: 15381

The run defense, long a staple, isn't good either. They let Cedric Benson go for 104 yards in Sunday's loss to the Bengals. They're giving up 114.4 yards per game on the ground.

The trade of Marcus Stroud to the Bills has left a huge hole in the middle of the defense. The team thought Rob Meier, a solid backup, could step in and do the job, but he was more effective playing 25 snaps than 40. John Henderson, the huge tackle next to him, hasn't played well and he sees a lot more doubles than when Stroud was next to him. The linebackers have been blocked.

All in all, it hasn't been pretty.

They also look lifeless at times. It's time for fiery coach Jack Del Rio to put a foot in his players' collective backside.

If not, this team could wind up being the biggest disappointment of the season.

To think that Del Rio and Garrard both got long-term extensions after the 2007 season. It's foolish to think Del Rio is in trouble, or should be, but he and his quarterback are linked now, good or bad.

If they don't get it going, one has to wonder how owner Wayne Weaver feels about spending all that money on those two men last spring.

The Power Rankings through Week 9:

Power Rankings
CurrentTeamPrevious
Colts1Colts · Trends1
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.
Saints2Saints · Trends2
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?
Vikings3Vikings · Trends4
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.
Broncos4Broncos · Trends3
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.
Patriots5Patriots · Trends5
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.
Bengals6Bengals · Trends6
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.
Steelers7Steelers · Trends7
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.
Eagles8Eagles · Trends8
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.
Cowboys9Cowboys · Trends11
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.
Ravens10Ravens · Trends14
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.
Cardinals11Cardinals · Trends9
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.
Giants12Giants · Trends10
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.
Texans13Texans · Trends16
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.
Chargers14Chargers · Trends17
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.
Falcons15Falcons · Trends12
They played well at New Orleans, especially in the second half, and the schedule gets easier now. They are a good 4-3 team.
Packers16Packers · Trends13
Boy that offensive line is bad. If they don't improve there, Aaron Rodgers doesn't stand a chance.
Bears17Bears · Trends19
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.
Dolphins18Dolphins · Trends22
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.
Jets19Jets · Trends15
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?
Jaguars20Jaguars · Trends18
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.
Panthers21Panthers · Trends24
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.
49ers2249ers · Trends20
Playing close isn't good enough. They have to start winning those kinds of games. It's hard when they're limited on offense.
Bills23Bills · Trends21
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?
Seahawks24Seahawks · Trends23
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.
Raiders25Raiders · Trends25
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?
Chiefs26Chiefs · Trends26
They come off their bye with the Larry Johnson saga hanging over their heads. Something they need more of: Better play from Matt Cassel.
Redskins27Redskins · Trends27
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.
Rams28Rams · Trends31
They won. They won. They won. After 17 consecutive losses, they should celebrate. Steven Jackson is having a good year for a bad team.
Titans29Titans · Trends32
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.
Lions30Lions · Trends28
Losing to the Rams drops them down a few spots. They are competing, which is a good sign for this young team.
Browns31Browns · Trends29
Does this team need a bye or what? Do they really have to play out the season with that offense?
Buccaneers32Buccaneers · Trends30
The Josh Freeman Era begins, and it's the right thing to do. They have to get him going for the future. Why wait?
 
For more from Pete Prisco, check him out on Twitter: @PriscoCBS
 

 
 
 
 
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