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.
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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 | Patriots · Trends | 11 | |||||||
| They get Tom Brady back. They have the deepest team in the league. Oh, and they have the best coach. Add it up, and it's no wonder they are Super favorites. | ||||||||||
 | 2 | Steelers · Trends | 1 | |||||||
| The champions are loaded again and will be in the thick of it come playoff time. They didn't do much to improve their offensive line, though, which has to be a concern. | ||||||||||
 | 3 | Colts · Trends | 7 | |||||||
| Peyton Manning is back healthy again, so they are a real contender again. The addition of Donald Brown to the running game will give it more explosiveness. The key will be the return to health of major defensive players. | ||||||||||
 | 4 | Cardinals · Trends | 2 | |||||||
| They've done some nice things in the offseason, including adding corner Bryant McFadden and drafting Beanie Wells to carry the football. They will be a playoff team again and maybe they'll finish in Miami. | ||||||||||
 | 5 | Eagles · Trends | 4 | |||||||
| They've had a wonderful offseason, adding key players like tackles Jason Peters and Stacey Andrews and loading up in the draft with speed and quickness. They will be tough to stop on offense. | ||||||||||
 | 6 | Giants · Trends | 5 | |||||||
| They fortified the defense with some key free agents and added a speed receiver in Hakeem Nicks to the passing game. Tom Coughlin will have this team in the playoffs again. | ||||||||||
 | 7 | Titans · Trends | 6 | |||||||
| They haven't done a lot, and losing Albert Haynesworth will hurt. The other thing is their division is tough. They also have to get more big plays from their passing game. | ||||||||||
 | 8 | Ravens · Trends | 3 | |||||||
| Joe Flacco will be better in his second season as a starter and that defense will once again be among the best. They do have to take their passing game up a notch. | ||||||||||
 | 9 | Falcons · Trends | 9 | |||||||
| It's all about the defense for the Falcons. Adding Tony Gonzalez makes the offense complete and the draft was loaded with defensive picks to help the other side. They aren't going away. | ||||||||||
 | 10 | Saints · Trends | 19 | |||||||
| This is another team that has improved its defense in the past four months in terms of talent. Now new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has to bring it all together. | ||||||||||
 | 11 | Chargers · Trends | 10 | |||||||
| This is still a deep, talented team. If Philip Rivers continues to develop, the Chargers will easily be the class of the AFC West. | ||||||||||
 | 12 | Texans · Trends | 17 | |||||||
| The Texans have a lot of important pieces in place. As long as Matt Schaub can stay healthy, they might be ready to make a real playoff push. | ||||||||||
 | 13 | Panthers · Trends | 8 | |||||||
| They will be the same team: Run heavy and play tough defense. Is that enough? Jake Delhomme has to play better. | ||||||||||
 | 14 | Bears · Trends | 18 | |||||||
| Getting Jay Cutler is the steal of the offseason. He makes them a real playoff threat. Yes, I do believe that. | ||||||||||
 | 15 | Cowboys · Trends | 14 | |||||||
| They have talent, but something just seems to be off. I don't think they're as good as the Eagles or Giants in their own division, which is why they are down this low. | ||||||||||
 | 16 | Bengals · Trends | 24 | |||||||
| Getting Palmer back makes them dangerous and the defense will be better around him. I like the Bengals as a sleeper team. I really do. | ||||||||||
 | 17 | Vikings · Trends | 13 | |||||||
| Quarterback. It's all about the quarterback. Whether it's Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson, that position has to be better. Words of advice: Stay away from that guy named Favre. | ||||||||||
 | 18 | Packers · Trends | 23 | |||||||
| The move to a 3-4 under new coordinator Dom Capers will be one to watch closely. If that side of the ball plays better, Aaron Rodgers might get them to a playoff game. | ||||||||||
 | 19 | Bills · Trends | 22 | |||||||
| Can Terrell Owens make them a playoff team? That might be stretching it, but they will be better on offense. | ||||||||||
 | 20 | Seahawks · Trends | 28 | |||||||
| New coach Jim Mora takes over a veteran team that was hurt by injuries last season. They need to keep Matt Hasselbeck healthy. If they do, they will push the Cardinals. | ||||||||||
 | 21 | Jets · Trends | 16 | |||||||
| How long does it take to get Mark Sanchez ready? If he's what they think he is, they will be better than expected. If not, it's a redshirt season and they will win six games. | ||||||||||
 | 22 | Buccaneers · Trends | 15 | |||||||
| Who plays quarterback? Whoever it is has to be better than what they had last season. There are also some age concerns on defense. New coach Raheem Morris faces a challenging first season. | ||||||||||
 | 23 | Redskins · Trends | 25 | |||||||
| They're the fourth team in a four-team division. That will make it tough to win eight games. | ||||||||||
 | 24 | Jaguars · Trends | 26 | |||||||
| They've made some nice moves to fix the offensive line, and now it's time for the offense to do more. The defense also needs young players to step up, especially end Derrick Harvey. | ||||||||||
 | 25 | Broncos · Trends | 20 | |||||||
| They're excited about Kyle Orton. I'm not. I think he's OK. They better hope the defense plays better than a year ago or it won't matter who quarterbacks the Broncos. I do like Knowshon Moreno. | ||||||||||
 | 26 | Dolphins · Trends | 12 | |||||||
| They are the step-back team this season. But in 2010, look out. I think Chad Henne will take over at some time this season. | ||||||||||
 | 27 | 49ers · Trends | 21 | |||||||
| It's all quarterback with the 49ers. Can Shaun Hill or Alex Smith get the job done? If not, they'll stay down here all year long. | ||||||||||
 | 28 | Raiders · Trends | 27 | |||||||
| It's all about JaMarcus Russell. If he plays an entire season to the level of expectations, the Raiders will be better. I think he can. But they have other issues. | ||||||||||
 | 29 | Chiefs · Trends | 29 | |||||||
| They landed their quarterback in Matt Cassel and have added a few players to help, but new coach Todd Haley faces a big task in getting this offense to play like his Arizona unit did. | ||||||||||
 | 30 | Browns · Trends | 30 | |||||||
| New coach Eric Mangini will build this team the way he wants it. But one has to wonder if that's a good thing considering his Jets history. | ||||||||||
 | 31 | Rams · Trends | 31 | |||||||
| The Rams were a disaster last year. New coach Steve Spagnuolo has a lot of work to do. They're at least a year away. | ||||||||||
 | 32 | Lions · Trends | 32 | |||||||
| They have their franchise quarterback to build around, and Jim Schwartz will do a good job, but there's a lot of work still to be done. | ||||||||||
