The Jaguars’ 24-0 shutout of the Indianapolis Colts last month was more than just their first win of the season. It was more than a second consecutive win in front of the home crowd and more than Doug Pederson’s first win since taking the reins in January.
That was a passing of the torch. The Colts were thought to be the best team in the AFC South and the favorites to win the division. The Jaguars are now.
It’s as simple as looking at the rosters in the South. Let’s dismiss the Texans for the time being. They don’t have a young quarterback in the saddle yet, which means their rebuild hasn’t even begun. It will be a few seasons before they’re in the conversation.
The Titans were the best team in the AFC South last season. They’re the reigning division champs, but they’re hardly the same team that a few seasons ago pushed the defense down the field either with the right arm of quarterback Ryan Tannehill slinging the ball to AJ Brown and Corey Davis or riding their bulldozer of a running back Derrick Henry right through the teeth of any defense in the game. Tannehill lost another home playoff game, and the Titans drafted a young quarterback early last spring, which does nothing to shore up his position as the man in Nashville.
Now both of his big, tall, fast receivers are gone, and Henry can’t beat all 11 defenders by himself. He’s still a force to be reckoned with, but that foot injury can be an indicator on a big back. He’s dealt out a lot of punishment over the last three years, and he’s taken as much back as well. Seven years is an eternity for a running back in professional football. Plus, the Titans have already lost their best pass rusher and best pass blocker and they just don’t have the swagger like the bullies on the block any longer.
The Colts have a nice roster but without a quarterback they’re trying to hold it together with chewing gum and baling wire. For the third consecutive season the brain trust in Indianapolis reacted to market forces instead of taking decisive action. Do you think they thought Carson Wentz was going to take them to the Super Bowl? Or were they just hoping? Ever since Andrew Luck walked away from the game the Colts have tried to fill his chair with aging signal callers trying to hold on. Phillip Rivers couldn’t do it and so far Matt Ryan doesn’t look up to the job. That leaves Jonathan Taylor, the NFL’s leading rusher from last season, to do as Henry is doing, fend for himself. Other than a big day against the Texans he’s looked lost against defenses who are worried only about him.
Plus, that talented roster suddenly has holes. All Pro guard Quentin Nelson got paid big money and has been manhandled at the line of scrimmage this season. All Pro linebacker Shaq Leonard has a bad back and now has a multitude of lingering issues to deal with. They brought in Yannick Ngakoue to complement second year pass rusher Kwitty Paye but Paye has been a disappointment and Ngakoue is a one-trick Colt. They also add All Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore, but he isn’t the same guy who won the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award a few seasons back. If Ryan, who is 37 years old, could put up points he could cover all the blemishes of their roster, but he can’t get out of harm’s way and has already fumbled the ball more than 10 times.
It goes deeper than talent. The Colts had every reason to come to Jacksonville and redeem themselves after the Jaguars ended their season in January. They wore that defeat all spring and summer and you would have expected the team that was expected to win the division to make a statement. Instead, they whimpered as they got on the plane ride back to Indianapolis. The Colts, folks, are the AFC South’s version of the Tin Man, they have heart issues.
Which brings us to the Jaguars. They have a talented young roster built around the only young franchise quarterback in the division. The offensive line has played at a high level so far; they have two tight ends to create mismatches, three wide receivers who are in sync with the quarterback and two running backs who can take it the distance. They’re not Kansas City or Buffalo talented but they’re gaining on the best teams in the AFC. The defense is stacked with run stuffers, pass rushers and cover corners. They have an outstanding punter and a great kick and punt returner.
Then there’s Doug Pederson. You don’t have to be an expert in football to know that he knows what he’s doing. He has two Super Bowl rings from his NFL career, and you can see it in the way he runs his team. He’s so calm when they win and even more so when they’ve lost. He exudes confidence and the players respect him and believe in him and that’s the magic elixir for most teams.
The Jaguars have the best roster in the AFC South. They have the best quarterback in the AFC South. They have the best defense in the AFC South. They have the most accomplished head coach in the AFC South. They’re the favorites. Now, what are they going to do about it?
