Power Rankings: Jaguars' season goes downhill fast

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.

Poll What is the Jaguars' biggest problem?   38% Running game     29% Deep passing     17% Pass rush     16% Run defense   Total Votes: 15381

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: