A number of times this season, Jacksonville appeared to be a team worthy of Super Bowl consideration. And then there were the other times.
That?s when Jacksonville turned into the most ? or one of the most ? confounding teams in the NFL.
Yet the Jaguars still have a chance to make the playoffs with a win and some help on Sunday. Thing is, so does their opponent, Kansas City.
Both teams would need lots of help. If Jacksonville wins, it would need the New York Jets to lose, Cincinnati to lose or tie and Tennessee to lose or tie. In other words, a miracle. The same is true for Kansas City. The Chiefs would need Cincinnati to lose or tie, Denver to lose and Tennessee to lose or tie.
But at least there?s still something to play for. Then again, it could be just a glorified exhibition game.
If the Jaguars don?t make the postseason, they should consider this a highly disappointing season. They looked ready to rip through the season after three games when they beat Dallas and Pittsburgh and lost a tight one at Indianapolis. They still looked in good position with an 8-5 record. But they lost at Tennessee and then at home against New England.
Still, the Jaguars are one of five teams to have scored 100 or more points than they have allowed. But the other four teams ? New England, San Diego, Chicago and New Orleans ? all are in first place. The Jaguars? defense has allowed just 239 points, third-fewest in the NFL behind New England and Chicago.
Kansas City, meanwhile, can feel good about its season, considering it has a new coach (Herm Edwards) and it wasn?t expected to do as much this season. The Chiefs are also above .500 despite losing starting quarterback Trent Green for eight games.
The Chiefs were 5-3 in his absence, but are only 3-3 since his return. In those six games, Green has had one game where his passer rating was above 75.5.
