NFL analysts were torn on where the Jacksonville Jaguars stood amongst the dregs of the league entering Monday night football. They got their answer following the Jaguars brutal performance in a 47-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills that was not even that close.
At this point, it’s fair to pose the question: Are the Jaguars (0-3) the worst team in the NFL?
Upset wins by the Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos and New York Giants significantly altered the league’s balance of power in Week 3. Here’s where NFL experts have the Jags ranked among the league’s best (and worst) teams:
NFL Power Rankings Week 4: Jacksonville Jaguars
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: No. 31 (down 4 spots)
“The Jaguars tied the Titans at 0-3 and fell further into the AFC South cellar. Their offense has been too much of a grind with Trevor Lawrence, not helping a defense with plenty of holes vs. the pass.”
Dakota Randall, Pro Football Network: No. 26 (down 4 spots)
“Not much has gone right for the Jaguars since Trevor Etienne fumbled going into the end zone in Miami with a 10-point lead over the Dolphins. Jacksonville has been outscored 78-23 since that fumble, and QB Trevor Lawrence has now lost eight consecutive games since last season. Is Doug Pederson on the hot seat now? Past problems were blamed on the short Urban Meyer era, but the Jags have now lost eight of the last nine dating back to 2023, only beating the Panthers. The offense is 25th in EPA and the defense is 29th. Monday night alone was the worst defensive performance of the season of any teams (-25.02 EPA). Not good all the way around. Jacksonville has back-to-back divisional games up next that they must win if they are to save their season.”
Taylor Wirth, NBC Sports Bay Area: No. 29 (down 4 spots)
“This team stinks. Trevor Lawrence is not the guy. He's being paid $55 million per year for this? FIFTY. FIVE. MILLION?! The 2021 quarterback class was a colossal failure.”
Matt Johnson, Sportsnaut: No. 32 (down 10 spots)
“The Jacksonville Jaguars have experienced countless ‘lows’ in franchise history, but what happened on Monday Night Football in Week 3 feels like one of the all-time worst. Trevor Lawrence is absolutely part of the problem and his contract only makes things worse. Yet, it’s also evident that head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke have utterly failed in building a competent NFL system. Change is necessary in Jacksonville, but if history is any guide, Baalke will find a way to survive and that would just continue the Jaguars’ woes.”
Michael DiRocco, ESPN: No. 28 (down 4 spots)
“The offense has been such a mess through the first three weeks that narrowing it down to one issue is tough, but the team's inability to continue drives has prevented it from getting any momentum. The Jaguars have converted just 21.9% of their third downs through three weeks, the third-worst mark in the league. It's hard for the Jaguars' offense to do much damage when it can't stay on the field.”
Frank Schwab, Yahoo!Sports: No. 27 (down 3 spots)
“When you play like the Jaguars did on Monday night and you’re 0-3, everything is on the table. The team can’t fire Trevor Lawrence, so head coach Doug Pederson might not feel too comfortable.”
Eric Edholm, NFL.com: No. 30 (down 7 spots)
“The Jaguars now have lost eight straight games with Trevor Lawrence starting. It's a startling fact to see, considering how strong Lawrence looked in his breakout season of 2022. He began the 2023 season in solid form, as well. But he just hasn't looked quite right since about midseason last year, and especially in the first three games of this season. The man's completion rate is barely above 50 percent. The blocking has been bad. The offensive design from Press Taylor and Doug Pederson has looked disjointed. And, yes, I haven't even touched on Jacksonville's defensive no-show on Monday night. After yielding three total touchdowns in the first two games, the Jags allowed the Bills to rack up that many on their first three drives. In fact, Buffalo scored touchdowns on its first five possessions, piling up 288 yards before halftime. It's officially panic time in Jacksonville.”
Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated: No. 29 (down 4 spots)
“Congrats to the Jaguars, the first team with a true, ticking panic meter. Like we mentioned with Caleb Williams above, Trevor Lawrence carries with him an invisible detonator that goes off when it becomes apparent that his talent is being squandered. The Jaguars should not be 0–3 by any stretch and, unfortunately for Doug Pederson, he’s going to wear that. I don’t think this is even close to Pederson’s problem and upper management should bear the responsibility for the middle class of this roster. That said, Jacksonville has passed from irrational early season overreaction into mid-season warranted reaction.”
Consensus ranking: No. 29.
MORE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS NEWS:
NFL picks, predictions Week 4: Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
Jaguars Week 3 snap counts: Cam Robinson becoming a liability at left tackle
Trevor Lawrence contract details: Why Jaguars locked up QB to long-term, big guaranteed money deal
