NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Each NFL team’s out of nowhere season

By Randy Gurzi

15 Nov 1998: Running back Jamal Anderson #32 and wide receiver Terance Mathis #81 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 31-19.
15 Nov 1998: Running back Jamal Anderson #32 and wide receiver Terance Mathis #81 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 31-19. /
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Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville Jaguars. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Jacksonville Jaguars: 2017 AFC Championship game

Between 2008 and 2016, the Jacksonville Jaguars were one of the worst teams in the entire NFL. They had eight losing seasons in that stretch, with their best mark being an 8-8 campaign in 2010 under Jack Del Rio. When he was gone, they started cycling through coaches with Mike Mularkey and Gus Bradley each getting a shot, but not coming through.

In 2016, they fired Bradley and replaced him with offensive line coach Doug Marrone in the interim. The team seemed to respond to him and Marrone was given the full-time job in 2017. He found tremendous success in his first full season.

The Jaguars’ defense ended up being ranked No. 2 overall and their offense was also surprisingly efficient. After years of debate whether the team could win with Blake Bortles under center or not, the former first-round pick was part of a top-five scoring offense, as the Jaguars ended up winning 10 games and making the postseason for the first time since 2007.

Of course, those who remember the team understand that Bortles wasn’t the reason for their success. Instead, it was their stout defense and powerful running game. Leaning on the run allowed the Jaguars to limit Bortles’ mistakes.

They were able to knock off the Buffalo Bills 10-3 in the wild card round at home before shocking the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 45-42 win in the divisional round on the round.

Looking to make their first-ever Super Bowl, Jacksonville then took it to the New England Patriots in a game that saw Bortles play his best football ever. In the end, they lost 24-20 but were just shy of representing the AFC in the title game.

As fate would have it, they have now moved on from Bortles and have Nick Foles, who ended up winning the Super Bowl Jacksonville missed out on, as he helped the Philadelphia Eagles defeat New England in Super Bowl LII. So maybe the Jaguars can have another surprisingly good season this year with Foles now under center?

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