NFL Power Rankings, Week 9: 49ers embarrass Panthers, Eagles shock Bills

19. Jacksonville Jaguars (22)

Wins have been difficult to earn for the Jacksonville Jaguars throughout the 2019 season, but at least a favorable schedule over the last two weeks has helped the team win back-to-back games, with the latest coming on Sunday over the New York Jets.

After watching the Jets struggle the way they did last week during an embarrassing loss at home to the New England Patriots, the Jaguars were hoping to take advantage of facing a struggling team in New York during Week 8.

Thanks to the defense applying all sorts of heavy pressure on Sam Darnold that resulted in three interceptions on top of Gardner Minshew throwing three touchdown passes of his own, Jacksonville is back at .500 heading into November.

Overtaking the Houston Texans or Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South will be far from easy, but just sitting at 4-4 shows the Jaguars actually have a fighting chance.

Hope seemed lost for Jacksonville back in Week 1 when Nick Foles went down with an injury, and it’s difficult to imagine where this team would be at this point in the regular season if it weren’t for Minshew being part of the picture.

Defeating the Texans in London will be far from easy, but also this could be another perfect opportunity for Minshew to help the Jaguars earn a third win in a row, whether it sounds like a long shot or not.