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
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.