A three-game winning streak has moved the Jaguars up to No. 13 in the power poll, and into playoff contention.
Raise your hand if back in August, you expected the Jaguars, the Steelers, the Eagles, and the Giants, to have the same number of victories heading into Week 12. You can argue that the Jaguars' schedule has not been the toughest. But they have a knack for winning close games, one of the league's best running backs in Maurice Jones-Drew, and one of the league's pleasant surprises in wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker.
The Jaguars have a tough December schedule, featuring the Texans, Dolphins, Colts, and Patriots. Staying in the playoff hunt will not be easy. But the Jaguars have given themselves plenty to play for.
1. Saints (1). Brees vs. Brady, Monday night. Talk about a game that will have a playoff-type feel.
2. Colts (2). Don't judge them by how their wins look. Judge them by how frequently they win.
3. Vikings (3). Brett Favre is getting some support for the MVP award. He deserves consideration.
4. Patriots (5). With Wes Welker playing at a high level, their offense becomes impossible to contain.
5. Chargers (7). They probably wish the playoffs began next weekend. Clicking on all cylinders.
6. Cardinals (8). Tim Hightower
gives them a running dimension they simply did not have last season.
7. Cowboys (9). Offense is inconsistent, but Wade Phillips is getting what he wants from his defense.
8. Bengals (4). Their stinker in Week 11 hurts a little less, with the Steelers and Ravens both losing.
9. Eagles (12). The emergence of LeSean McCoy makes the loss of Brian Westbrook easier to handle.
10. Steelers (6). If they do not get their kickoff coverage fixed, it may cost them a chance to repeat.
11. Giants (15). With Antonio Pierce's health a concern, their defense remains a question mark.
12. Packers (14). Losing LB Aaron Kampman and CB Al Harris will be a huge blow to their defense.
13. Jaguars (17). Not pretty, but building momentum. Last four wins have been by three points or less.
14. Broncos (10). Watching how dramatically they have imploded, you wonder if they can regroup.
15. Ravens (11). With each loss, their playoff hopes take a hit. They may have to run the table to get in.
16. Dolphins (18). Their running game now depends on Ricky Williams, and he looks up to the task.
17. Texans (13). After crushing loss to Titans, they face virtually a must-win against the Colts
18. Falcons (16). Shaky play in the secondary is causing them to surrender too many big plays.
19. Titans (23). Riding a four-game winning streak, and learning that Vince Young has matured.
20. Jets (20). Mark Sanchez's turnovers have simply become too much for his teammates to overcome.
21. Panthers (19). Not a come-from-behind team -- 0-5 when Jake Delhomme attempts 30-plus passes.
22. 49ers (21). Four-game road losing streak proves they are not ready to play with the elite teams.
23. Bears (22). Along with Jay Cutler, their running game and defense have been disappointments.
24. Chiefs (27). Wide receiver Chris Chambers has been a valuable pickup, adding timely big plays.
25. Redskins (24). Their offense was already struggling. Now injuries are making matters worse.
26. Raiders (28). Bruce Gradkowski gives the Raiders a better chance to win than JaMarcus Russell.
27. Bills (26). Now that Dick Jauron has been fired, he does not have to suffer through any more games.
28. Seahawks (25). This team will have major decisions to make after another disappointing season.
29. Lions (31). Matthew Stafford's performance in Week 11 confirms the Lions picked the right QB.
30. Buccaneers (29). Their porous defense has allowed at least 25 points for six consecutive games.
31. Rams (30). They have lost 10 straight at home. Maybe it's good that their next two games are away.
32. Browns (32). If Mike Holmgren needs a ride to Cleveland, many Browns fans would gladly drive him.
Raise your hand if back in August, you expected the Jaguars, the Steelers, the Eagles, and the Giants, to have the same number of victories heading into Week 12. You can argue that the Jaguars' schedule has not been the toughest. But they have a knack for winning close games, one of the league's best running backs in Maurice Jones-Drew, and one of the league's pleasant surprises in wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker.
The Jaguars have a tough December schedule, featuring the Texans, Dolphins, Colts, and Patriots. Staying in the playoff hunt will not be easy. But the Jaguars have given themselves plenty to play for.
1. Saints (1). Brees vs. Brady, Monday night. Talk about a game that will have a playoff-type feel.
2. Colts (2). Don't judge them by how their wins look. Judge them by how frequently they win.
3. Vikings (3). Brett Favre is getting some support for the MVP award. He deserves consideration.
4. Patriots (5). With Wes Welker playing at a high level, their offense becomes impossible to contain.
5. Chargers (7). They probably wish the playoffs began next weekend. Clicking on all cylinders.
6. Cardinals (8). Tim Hightower
gives them a running dimension they simply did not have last season.7. Cowboys (9). Offense is inconsistent, but Wade Phillips is getting what he wants from his defense.
8. Bengals (4). Their stinker in Week 11 hurts a little less, with the Steelers and Ravens both losing.
9. Eagles (12). The emergence of LeSean McCoy makes the loss of Brian Westbrook easier to handle.
10. Steelers (6). If they do not get their kickoff coverage fixed, it may cost them a chance to repeat.
11. Giants (15). With Antonio Pierce's
health a concern, their defense remains a question mark.12. Packers (14). Losing LB Aaron Kampman and CB Al Harris will be a huge blow to their defense.
13. Jaguars (17). Not pretty, but building momentum. Last four wins have been by three points
or less.14. Broncos (10). Watching how dramatically they have imploded, you wonder if they can regroup.
15. Ravens (11). With each loss, their playoff hopes take a hit. They may have to run the table to get in.
16. Dolphins (18). Their running game now depends on Ricky Williams, and he looks up to the task.
17. Texans (13). After crushing loss to Titans, they face virtually a must-win against the Colts
18. Falcons (16). Shaky play in the secondary
is causing them to surrender too many big plays.19. Titans (23). Riding a four-game winning streak, and learning that Vince Young has matured.
20. Jets (20). Mark Sanchez's turnovers have simply become too much for his teammates to overcome.
21. Panthers (19). Not a come-from-behind team -- 0-5 when Jake Delhomme attempts 30-plus passes.
22. 49ers (21). Four-game road losing streak proves they are not ready to play with the elite teams.
23. Bears (22). Along with Jay Cutler, their running game and defense have been disappointments.
24. Chiefs (27). Wide receiver Chris Chambers has been a valuable pickup, adding timely big plays.
25. Redskins (24). Their offense was already struggling. Now injuries are making matters worse.
26. Raiders (28). Bruce Gradkowski gives the Raiders a better chance to win than JaMarcus Russell.
27. Bills (26). Now that Dick Jauron has been fired, he does not have to suffer through any more games.
28. Seahawks (25). This team will have major decisions to make after another disappointing season.
29. Lions (31). Matthew Stafford's performance in Week 11 confirms the Lions picked the right QB.
30. Buccaneers (29). Their porous defense has allowed at least 25 points for six consecutive games.
31. Rams (30). They have lost 10 straight at home. Maybe it's good that their next two games are away.
32. Browns (32). If Mike Holmgren needs a ride to Cleveland, many Browns fans would gladly drive him.
